MLB Player News

Giants manager Tony Vitello said on KNBR 680 that Walker will be optioned to Triple-A Sacramento prior to Thursday's contest versus the Rockies.

He'll clear off the roster to make a spot for Carson Whisenhunt, who is slated to make a spot start Thursday. Walker was unscored upon in his first five appearances after returning from a stint in the minors, but the former closer has since allowed 11 runs across his last 6.1 innings.

Natera (1-0) earned the win over Texas on Wednesday, striking out five batters over two perfect innings in relief.

The Angels built an early lead, and starter Walbert Urena held the Rangers scoreless through four frames. However, Urena also struggled with his control and needed 90 pitches to get through those four innings, so he wasn't able to go deep enough to qualify for the win. Natera entered in the fifth and dominated across two frames, throwing 19 of 24 pitches for strikes and fanning five of the six batters he faced. That earned the lefty his first big-league win in his 11th appearance. Natera was blown up for four runs over two-thirds of an inning July 4 versus Boston, but he's otherwise been lights-out. In his other 10 outings, he's given up just one run on three hits across 12.2 frames while recording an impressive 20:6 K:BB. Natera has logged one save and one hold and could be working his way up to more high-leverage situations given how effectively he's pitched.

Banda underwent surgery to repair his left lat strain and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Banda last pitched June 28 and was placed on the 15-day injured list 11 days ago. He expects to be ready for the start of spring training in February. The lefty reliever appeared in 39 games out of the bullpen for Minnesota this season and registered a 4.46 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday he hopes to avoid using Stanek (ankle) "for maybe two or three days," Amber Winkler of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Stanek suffered a right ankle injury on a play at first base in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers. While the reliever appears unlikely to be available until at least Friday, the Cardinals are optimistic he will avoid a trip to the injured list. After posting an 8.31 ERA in April, Stanek boasts a 2.91 ERA and 21:8 K:BB over 21.2 frames since May 1.

The Guardians placed Herrin on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a left elbow contusion.

Herrin was lifted from his most recent relief appearance in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Twins after being hit in the left elbow by a comebacker. X-rays came back negative, but Herrin's injury was deemed serious enough to keep him on the shelf through June 23. Herrin has appeared in 41 games out of the bullpen this season, logging a 3.06 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 27:19 K:BB across 32.1 innings.

The Guardians recalled Heuer from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

The right-hander has appeared in seven games out of the Cleveland bullpen this season and has posted a 5.63 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB across eight innings. He'll work in middle relief.

The Twins recalled Rojas from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

The 23-year-old rejoins the big club for the third time this season. Rojas has made six appearances (two starts) for the Twins, producing a 1.65 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB across 16.1 innings. He's expected to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen while he's up with Minnesota.

The Mets optioned Myers to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Myers' most recent stint in the majors lasted only one day, and he allowed one run over two frames in Wednesday's win over the Royals. Dan Hammer is taking Myers' spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Winn (elbow) allowed a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning during Triple-A Sacramento's 6-1 win over Salt Lake on Wednesday.

After making rehab appearances in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Single-A, Winn continued his rehab assignment in Sacramento, throwing seven of his 14 pitches for strikes Wednesday. According to Evan Webeck of the California Post, Giants manager Tony Vitello said he expects the right-hander to return either just before the All-Star break or immediately afterward.

Blackburn will be the Yankees' starting pitcher in Thursday's bullpen game versus the Rays.

Blackburn went 1.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday's game, so he'll be pitching on just one day of rest. The righty hasn't thrown more than 23 pitches in an outing in three weeks, so he will likely not cover more than a couple frames Thursday.