MLB Player News

Padres manager Bob Melvin said July 21 that Knehr (elbow) would require season-ending Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.

Knehr has presumably had the procedure at some point over the ensuing four weeks and will now miss the rest of the 2023 season, and likely, the majority of the 2024 campaign. Before landing on the shelf in late June with the elbow injury, Knehr gave up 10 earned runs on 10 hits and five walks over 5.2 innings across four appearances with the Friars.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Hill (finger) isn't progressing as quickly as hoped and has yet to resume throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Since landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 2 with a sprained left ring finger, Hill has been limited to playing catch with tape on his injured digit. Melvin suggested that Hill will soon be able to remove the tape from his finger and start throwing off a mound, but the southpaw is still probably a week or more away from returning from the IL.

Morejon (knee) has made his last two rehab appearances at Triple-A El Paso, covering 1.2 innings and allowing an unearned run on one hit and no walks while striking out three between the two outings.

Morejon shifted his rehab assignment to El Paso after he struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League club Aug. 4. The right-hander has been on the shelf since July 16 with right knee inflammation, an injury he picked up while fielding a bunt. Morejon could be on the cusp of being activated from the 15-day injured list, but he's unlikely to hold a major role out of the Friars bullpen once reinstated.

Bazardo was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Bazardo was acquired from the Orioles earlier this month and will be making his debut for the Mariners when he gets into a game. The 27-year-old allowed four runs over 2.1 innings in three appearances for Baltimore earlier this season.

Seattle optioned Ryan to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Ryan made only one appearance during his nine-day stay in the Mariners' bullpen, though it was a scoreless frame in which he struck out two of the four batters he faced. The 28-year-old has pitched to a 3.54 ERA and 40:15 K:BB in 40.2 innings this season at Triple-A.

Kansas City recalled Kowar from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Kowar returns to the Royals as a fresh bullpen arm ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Mariners. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed 12 runs -- eight earned -- in 11.2 innings of work this season at the MLB level.

McArthur was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

McArthur served as an opener for the Royals in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, allowing three runs over his inning of work. He's being sent out in favor of a fresh bullpen arm.

Sewald picked up the save Wednesday against Colorado, allowing one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Sewald entered the game with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and allowed a leadoff single to Charlie Blackmon before retiring the next three batters, two of which went down swinging. The veteran reliever has now converted each of his last four save opportunities, racking up five strikeouts to only one walk over that scoreless stretch. He has, however, allowed a total of four hits over his last two appearances.

Santos (2-1) took the loss and blew a save against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk without retiring a batter.

Santos recorded a 1.2-inning save Tuesday and looked dominant with three strikeouts without allowing a baserunner. His outing Wednesday was entirely different, as he faced three batters and gave up a double, a walk and a walk-off, three-run homer to blow the save. Despite the rough appearance, Santos probably won't lose the ninth-inning job since he had been solid prior to the misstep, collecting three saves and posting an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings while giving up just one run in five prior appearances since he moved into the closer role July 28.

Assad allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Marcus Stroman (hip/ribs) was originally expected to start Wednesday, but he had a setback that's keeping him on the injured list. Instead, Assad got another opportunity in the rotation and notched his second straight quality start. The right-hander opened with three scoreless frames before the White Sox tagged him for a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but Assad bounced back with a scoreless sixth before he was relieved. He's pitched well enough to remain a starter even after Stroman returns, though that scenario may depend on whether the Cubs elect to keep Drew Smyly in the bullpen or place him back in the rotation.