MLB Player News

The Phillies recalled Lazar from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Lazar has given up four earned runs over five innings at Lehigh Valley since the beginning of June, but he'll end up back in the majors following Brad Keller's (forearm) move to the injured list. The 27-year-old righty has yet to appear in a big-league game this season, though he owns a 4.75 ERA in 55 career innings and will likely be limited to middle relief as long as he's with the Phillies.

The Phillies placed Keller on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday, with right forearm tendinitis.

Keller appears to have picked up his forearm injury following his last outing Saturday in Milwaukee, during which he gave up three earned runs in one inning out of the bullpen. He'll now spend at least the next couple of weeks on the shelf, and Max Lazar will come up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the vacancy in Philadelphia's bullpen.

The Cubs recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hollowell was knocked around for two runs on two hits and four walks over 1.2 innings in his lone appearance with the Cubs earlier this season. He will likely be utilized in low-leverage situations.

The Cubs placed Palencia on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow inflammation, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Palencia picked up the win Monday versus the Rockies, tossing a scoreless top of the ninth inning before the Cubs walked it off in the bottom of the frame. However, he's now on the IL for the second time this season after missing time earlier this year with a lat strain. The Cubs could lean on a committee approach at closer while Palencia is sidelined, with Caleb Thielbar, Phil Maton and Jacob Webb all in the mix.

Crochet (shoulder/lat) began throwing a plyometric ball Tuesday as the first step of his throwing program, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander is expected to work with the plyo ball for about a week before potentially progressing to a baseball. Crochet continues to work his way back from shoulder inflammation and a lat strain and isn't expected to rejoin the Red Sox until after the All-Star break.

Baltimore optioned Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Nunez was last in action on Sunday, when he pitched one scoreless inning against San Diego. On the campaign, the right-hander has posted a 4.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB through 34.1 innings. The 24-year-old will head down to Norfolk to make room for Ryan Helsley on the active roster.

The Orioles activated Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Helsley wound up being sidelined for seven weeks with right elbow inflammation. He struck out five of seven batters faced over two scoreless rehab innings with Triple-A Norfolk and should slide right back into the closer role in Baltimore. Helsley posted a 2.53 ERA and 15:7 K:BB over 10.2 frames while notching seven saves before he got injured.

Sands underwent an MRI on Friday that showed healing in his injured forearm, though inflammation was still present, MLB.com reports.

The Twins placed Sands on the 15-day injured list May 2 due to what the team described as a mild right forearm strain, resulting in the reliever being shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks. He made enough progress to begin a minor-league rehab assignment June 2, only to be returned to Minnesota after his forearm bothered him during his lone appearance with Triple-A St. Paul. While Sands appears to have avoided any sort of major setback, the Twins will once again have him pause his throwing program to allow the inflammation to dissipate. He now appears unlikely to return from the IL until at least early July.

The Marlins recalled Fulton from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The left-hander was in the majors for one day in early May and was set back to Triple-A after giving up two runs across four innings of long relief. Fulton, who has primarily been working out of the rotation for Jacksonville, will now get another look in the big leagues and is likely to work as a long reliever.

Kempner was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The right-hander fired 2.1 scoreless innings Monday against the Phillies and is being sent down Tuesday in favor of a fresh bullpen arm (Dax Fulton). Kempner has given up just three hits with a 10:2 K:BB across nine scoreless frames in the majors this season, so it should only be a matter of time before he gets another look with the big club.