MLB Player News

Herget was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

Herget holds a 5.18 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 24.1 innings during his time in the majors this season. It's the second time this season that the reliever was removed from the Reds' 40-man roster, and he seems likely to clear waivers again and head to Triple-A Louisville.

Cruz was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

Cruz was one of a handful of Reds players to miss time with COVID-19, but he returns having been out for the minimum seven days. He's been an effective reliever for Cincinnati this season, posting a 4.12 ERA and 79:24 K:BB over 54.2 frames, but he has only one win and six holds in 49 appearances.

Jacob (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Jacob has been on the shelf since late July with a minor flexor strain and a minor UCL sprain in his right elbow. While he will be eligible to return later this month, the smart money would seem to be on the Padres holding him out for the remainder of the season.

Vodnik will be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque prior to Friday's game versus the Giants, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Acquired from Atlanta in the Pierce Johnson trade, Vodnik holds a 3.35 ERA and 69:31 K:BB over 53.2 innings between the Double- and Triple-A level this season. The 23-year-old is a hard thrower, but his control is an issue. Vodnik will be making his major-league debut when he makes an appearance.

The Marlins are expected to select De Jesus' contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The 26-year-old has posted a 4.97 ERA and 58:48 K:BB over 79.2 innings with Jacksonville this season. De Jesus will give the Marlins' bullpen some much-needed length and will be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game.

Rosenberg is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Guardians at Angel Stadium.

Rosenberg will receive a second turn through the Angels' six-man rotation after he delivered a quality start against the Orioles his last time out Monday. The 28-year-old southpaw could have a clear path to a rotation spot for the remainder of the season with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow/oblique) having been shut down from pitching and with Lucas Giolito having recently been waived.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

He's giving up his roster spot to Brad Boxberger, who is back following a long stint on the injured list. Thompson had been scored upon in each of his last three relief appearances, yielding a total of five runs over 5.1 innings.

Boxberger (forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Boxberger has been sidelined since mid-May with a right forearm strain but is finally ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after making eight rehab appearances, the last four of which were scoreless. He could be eased back into a high-leverage role but eventually should work as a setup man.

Zerpa struck out three over three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox. He scattered four hits and didn't walk a batter in the 47-pitch outing.

Zerpa shifted back to the bullpen this week after his previous appearance had come in the rotation Aug. 30 versus the Pirates. The 23-year-old southpaw looks like he'll be the next man up if a starting spot opens back up at any point in September. Zerpa has a 6.23 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 26 big-league innings this season.

Johnson struck out two in a perfect seventh inning Thursday to record his 10th hold of the season in a win over the Cardinals.

The former Rockies closer has been very effective in a setup role for Atlanta, posting a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 17 innings with a win and six holds in 18 appearances. The NL East leaders have a deep bullpen, and Johnson would likely be behind A.J. Minter, Kirby Yates and others in the pecking order for saves should anything happen to Raisel Iglesias, but he's still producing deep-league fantasy value in his current role.