MLB Player News

Kennedy worked two innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 15-7 loss to the Cubs, giving up four earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one batter.

The Reds likely would have preferred to stay away from Kennedy on Sunday so he could fill the opening in the team's depleted rotation Monday against the Mariners, but the right-hander was ultimately needed for mop-up duties after Cincinnati burned through six pitchers in the game's first seven innings. With Kennedy likely out of consideration for a spot start during the three-game series with the Mariners after his 42-pitch relief appearance Sunday, the Reds are expected to summon another pitcher from Triple-A Louisville to fill the void in the rotation Monday.

Phillips is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Mariners in Cincinnati, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Phillips was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday as a replacement for Brandon Williamson (illness), who became the fourth Reds pitcher to land on the COVID-19 injured list in recent days. The Reds didn't need Phillips in relief for the final two games of their weekend series with the Cubs, so the 22-year-old right-hander will end up filling a hole in the depleted Cincinnati rotation, at least temporarily. Between stops with Louisville and Double-A Chattanooga in 2023, Phillips has compiled a 3.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 154:57 K:BB across 105 innings.

Hamilton was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right groin strain.

Hamilton presumably suffered the injury during his most recent appearance Thursday in Detroit, when he picked up a three-inning save with a scoreless appearance. The right-hander might not be able to return this season depending on the severity of the strain.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Bautista has received an MRI on his injured right elbow, but the Orioles will wait for the inflammation in the pitcher's arm to subside before a decision is made on his next steps, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The standout closer was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 26 with what the Orioles described as a UCL injury, but the severity of the issue still hasn't been disclosed. Once some of the elbow inflammation clears up, Bautista could get more tests that may shed more light on the extent of his injury. Regardless, Bautista appears safe to rule out for returning from the IL when first eligible next weekend, and even if he's able to steer clear of elbow surgery, he won't necessarily be a lock to pitch again in 2023.

Weissert was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

The 28-year-old was sent to Triple-A on Aug. 20 but will rejoin the major-league club with Ian Hamilton (groin) placed on the injured list. Weissert has made seven appearances for the Yankees this season and has allowed four earned runs with a 9:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings.

Sousa was claimed off waivers by the Astros on Sunday and was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land.

The left-hander was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Friday and will now join his fifth organization of the season. Sousa has appeared in just two big-league games this year and has a 4.91 ERA across 18.1 frames in the minors.

Lambert was removed from Sunday's game against the Tigers with right ankle soreness.

Lambert threw only nine pitches and failed to record an out before exiting with the injury. The right-hander should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.

Pomeranz (elbow) pitched two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A El Paso in a rehab appearance Friday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk without notching any strikeouts.

Pomeranz hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, so some rustiness isn't unexpected. Still, the Padres may not want to activate him until he begins throwing more effectively -- in hist last two outings with El Paso, he's allowed six runs on five hits and three walks with just one punchout over 1.1 frames. It's not yet clear when San Diego plans to have Pomeranz rejoin the big-league club, though the veteran reliever has previously indicated a determination to pitch for the Padres before the end of the season.

Atlanta recalled Heller from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

He joined the 28-man active roster as a replacement for right-hander Darius Vines, who was demoted to Gwinnett in a corresponding move. In 14.1 innings out of the Atlanta bullpen this season, Heller has pitched to a 4.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB.

The Tigers outrighted Calvo to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

After being acquired from the Rockies on June 18, Calvo never made any appearances at the big-league level for Detroit before being moved off the 40-man roster. Calvo will continue to pitch in relief at Toledo, with whom he's compiled an 8.88 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 30:26 K:BB over 25.1 innings.