MLB Player News

Brewer worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants.

Brewer just returned from the injured list last week and he's possibly already moved up the bullpen hierarchy. Regular closer Hector Neris has allowed seven earned runs over his last three appearances with two blown saves, including in Monday's contest. The veteran Neris may have simply been getting some rest, and there's been no official word that the team is making a change, but this is a situation worth monitoring. Brewer would, of course, see a jump in fantasy value if he starts getting regular save opportunities.

Wentz tossed a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta, extending his streak of scoreless outings to four.

Wentz has had an up-and-down season, though he's trending upward recently. The lefty had a 1.08 ERA across his first 11 appearances, then posted a 16.00 ERA over his next six games before his current scoreless streak started. Overall, Wentz has a 5.34 ERA, and he's mostly off the fantasy radar as a low-leverage reliever despite his better results lately.

The Brewers designated Hernandez for assignment Wednesday.

The 29-year-old signed a one-year contract with Milwaukee on June 8 and delivered 5.2 scoreless frames in his first three appearances, but he allowed two runs on two hits while recording just one out Tuesday in Anaheim. Hernandez has a 6.32 ERA and 8:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings between his time with the Brewers and Dodgers this year.

The Brewers recalled Blalock from Double-A Biloxi on Wednesday.

Blalock was sent down by Milwaukee in late May but is back with the big club ahead of Wednesday's series finale in Anaheim. The 23-year-old was up with the Brewers for a few days in May but is still looking to make his MLB debut.

Bednar earned the save Wednesday against the Reds, pitching a perfect ninth inning to seal a 1-0 victory.

It's the second straight hitless appearance from Bednar after he allowed home runs in each of his previous two outings. Still, the right-hander has been solid of late following a rocky start to the campaign, allowing just three runs in his last 17.1 innings. Overall, Bednar's converted 16 of 19 save opportunities this year while pitching to a 5.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Fairbanks said his bruised right thumb "felt within the realm of good" after playing catch Wednesday, and he expects to be available for Thursday's series finale in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander departed Tuesday's contest after being struck in the thumb by a comebacker, but it appears he's avoided a serious injury. Jason Adam, Garrett Cleavinger and Colin Poche will likely all be in the mix if a save opportunity arises Wednesday, but Fairbanks should be back on the mound for the Rays within the next couple days.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Wednesday that Coulombe underwent surgery Tuesday to remove bone chips in his left elbow, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Elias said that the Orioles are still hopeful that Coulombe will be able to return to the team's bullpen before the end of the season, though the earliest possible return for the left-hander would likely be sometime in September. A clearer target date for a return timeline may emerge once the 34-year-old is cleared to begin throwing, but he's in line for a long stay on the injured list no matter what.

Suarez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 18th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Phillies.

One day after blowing his first save chance of the season, Suarez was back in his usual form, firing nine of 13 pitches for strikes as he shut down the Phillies' 6-7-8 hitters. The 33-year-old right-hander came into 2024 with only one career save, but he's having a breakout campaign as the Padres' closer, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB through 30.2 innings.

Fairbanks (thumb) was spotted throwing long toss and playing catch on the field prior to Wednesday's game in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays haven't disclosed whether Fairbanks will be available out of the bullpen Wednesday, but his ability to take part in some pregame throwing work one day after being lifted from his appearance in Tuesday's 7-6 loss at least offers hope that he'll avoid a stint on the injured list. After being struck in his pitching hand by a 103-mph comebacker off the bat of Carlos Correa, Fairbanks was diagnosed with a bruised right thumb after X-rays returned negative.

The Guardians recalled McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

McCaughan will be joining the big club for the first time since being acquired from the Marlins on May 9. The 28-year-old right-hander had been starting at Columbus, logging a 5.06 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB in 32 innings. He'll work out of the bullpen in his first stint with Cleveland, joining the relief ranks as a replacement for right-hander Nick Sandlin (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list.