MLB Player News

Abreu allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Abreu has earned three saves and eight holds with a 34:13 K:BB during his 27.2-inning scoreless streak, which dates back to July 18. This was among his shakier outings in that span, but he was able to get the job done. The setup man has a 1.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 100:31 K:BB with five saves and 24 holds over 72 innings this season.

Ottavino recorded his 12th save of the season in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Phillies, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win. He struck out one.

The veteran right-hander nearly blew the save, walking J.T. Realmuto to lead off the ninth and watching rookie Weston Wilson steal two bags after his one-out RBI single brought the Phillies to within a run, but Ottavino was able to retire Jake Cave and Cristian Pache to end the rally. The 12 saves are a career high for the 37-year-old, and he's gone a perfect 5-for-5 on save chances in September while posting a 4.15 ERA and 15:5 K:BB through 8.2 innings.

Nelson will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley serve as the bulk reliever behind opener Matt Strahm in Sunday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Initial reports suggested Nelson would start Sunday's regular-season finale, but he'll instead work as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, which sets him up better to pick up a win. The right-hander has yet to pitch at the big-league level in 2023 after posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with a 75:42 K:BB across 97.1 frames with Lehigh Valley.

Strahm will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Strahm will likely be asked to work the first inning or two before making way for Nick Nelson, who is expected to serve as a bulk reliever. After gathering three holds and a save over a stretch of seven appearances in which he didn't allow an earned run, Strahm surrendered two runs on three hits over one inning in his most recent relief outing Thursday against the Pirates.

The Phillies recalled Uelmen from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday and placed him on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain.

Uelman spent most of the season in Triple-A, though an undisclosed injury caused him to miss roughly three months. He was able to appear in one last game before the end of Lehigh Valley's season, but he'll now sacrifice his 40-man roster spot as he lands back on the 60-day IL. Michael Plassmeyer was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move and will start the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader with the Mets.

The Phillies selected Plassmeyer from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Plassmeyer spent most of the season with Lehigh Valley, logging a 5.05 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while striking out 74 batters and walking 30 over the course of 67.2 innings. He's appeared in two major-league games in his career, though Saturday's nightcap will mark his first time starting an MLB contest. Luis Ortiz was optioned to the Phillies' Florida complex, and Erich Uelmen (undisclosed) was placed on the 60-day injured list to clear a space on the roster for Plassmeyer.

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

Ortiz came up for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, and he will now be cast off the active roster after throwing a scoreless inning and striking out two batters in Game 1. Michael Plassmeyer was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Nelson will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies will be the fourth seed in the National League regardless of what happens over the weekend, but they're nonetheless tasked with recording 27 extra outs thanks to Saturday's doubleheader. The team is sensibly holding back its best arms for the postseason, so it will be the unheralded pair of Nelson and Michael Plassmeyer who make the final two starts of the regular season. Nelson owns a 5.38 ERA in 103.2 career major-league innings, none of which have come in 2023.

The Dodgers recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Gonzalez will give the Dodgers additional bullpen depth to close out the season as Lance Lynn is away from the team on bereavement leave. Gonzalez holds a 4.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 32.2 innings in the majors this season.

The Rangers designated Speas for assignment Saturday.

After giving up three runs over two innings during a brief major-league stint in July, Speas was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, and the selection of Matt Bush from the minors will now push Speas off the 40-man roster. Speas will likely go unclaimed off waivers and projects to begin next season in Triple-A.