MLB Player News

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.

The Yankees optioned Vasquez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Vasquez will end up as the Yankees' roster casualty as Frankie Montas (shoulder) returns from the 60-day injured list. Despite a lackluster season in Triple-A with a 4.59 ERA, the 24-year-old righty was solid out of the bullpen for the Yankees, posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 37.2 innings.

The Yankees reinstated Montas (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Montas has been held out all season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in February, but he will return to the Yankees' pitching staff for the final two games of the season. The 30-year-old righty gave up one run over three innings during a rehab assignment in Triple-A, and he could make an appearance out of the bullpen before the end of the year. Jasson Dominguez (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot for Montas, and Randy Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Cardinals optioned Woodford to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

After giving up seven runs in 1.2 frames during his last start Friday, Woodford will be cast off the active roster in favor of James Naile, who will give the Cardinals additional bullpen depth for their final two games. Woodford will finish 2023 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 47.2 innings -- both sharp increases from his 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP last season.

The Cardinals recalled Naile from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Naile will take the place of Jake Woodford, who was optioned to the Florida Complex League in a corresponding move. Naile was decent in the minors this season but has struggled mightily in the majors, surrendering 15 runs over 15.1 innings. He will likely be limited to low-leverage outings while with St. Louis.

The Brewers optioned Boushley to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday.

Boushley was selected to the active roster Friday and looked solid during his MLB debut, giving up one run while pitching the final 2.1 frames and striking out five batters en route to collecting his first big-league win. He'll continue to work at the Brewers' facility in Arizona and could rejoin the team should Milwaukee's bullpen take a hit during the postseason. Clayton Andrews was sent to Arizona alongside Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) took their places on the active roster.

Bautista (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery in October, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista's 1.48 ERA, 33 saves and 46.4 percent strikeout rate helped the Orioles get back to the playoffs this season, but he won't get to be part of the roster as they push to make their first World Series since 1983. Tommy John surgery seemed possible when Bautista was first diagnosed with a UCL injury back in late August, but the fact that he quickly resumed throwing and had recently advanced to a 25-pitch simulated game seemed to indicate that he'd avoided a worst-case scenario. Instead, he'll miss not only this year's playoffs but the entirety of next season as well. In less significant news, he also signed a two-year contract extension, per Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com, buying out his first year of arbitration and giving him peace of mind as he recovers. Yennier Cano will continue handling closer duties in Bautista's absence.

The Brewers optioned Andrews to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday

After giving up two runs over 1.2 frames Friday, Andrews will be sent to the Brewers' facility in Arizona and remain on stand-by should the team need him during its postseason run. The 26-year-old has been lit up over the course of his four MLB appearances, so it's unlikely he sees action in the playoffs barring an emergency situation. He will be joined in Arizona by Caleb Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) will take their places on the active roster.