MLB Player News

Brash is in line to see more eighth-inning opportunities as part of the domino effect of Paul Sewald's trade to the Diamondbacks on Monday, and he could also be a candidate for some save chances, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash happens to be coming off what manager Scott Servais has termed as "probably the best month of his career," as the hard-throwing right-hander finished July with a 2-0 record, eight holds and a 13.9 K/9 without giving up a home run across 11 innings (12 appearances). Brash has been more successful as a reliever since transitioning to the bullpen and is exhibiting improved control this season. With a fastball that averages 98 mph and a 15.3 K/9 across 52 appearances, he's projected to see a nice bump in setup work, at minimum, in front of projected primary closer Andres Munoz.

The Nationals optioned Harris to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll turn over his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the Washington bullpen to left-hander Robert Garcia, whom the Nationals claimed off waivers from the Marlins on Tuesday. Harris was called up from Rochester on Monday and tossed a scoreless inning in relief during his two-day stay with the big club.

The Nationals activated Garcia ahead of Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia, whom the Nationals claimed off waivers from the Marlins on Tuesday, had been pitching at Triple-A Jacksonville, but Washington will immediately take a look at him at the big-league level. He previously made his MLB debut with Miami earlier in the season but has otherwise made 31 of his 32 appearances at Jacksonville, where he's accrued a 2.85 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 62:22 K:BB across 41 innings.

Munoz is in line to serve as the Mariners' primary closer following the trade of Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks on Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Sewald had logged 24 save chances overall for the Mariners and Seattle is expected to remain a viable wild-card contender for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the potential closing workload Sewald's exit creates should afford Munoz his fair share of save chances, and the hard-throwing right-hander certainly has the stuff -- including a fastball that averages 99.1 mph -- for a ninth-inning role. However, the newfound opportunity comes in the midst of a handful of recent hiccups for Munoz, who's allowed an earned run in four of his last 10 appearances while taking three losses. The 24-year-old has converted two of the three save opportunities he's seen across 24 appearances thus far in 2023, and if he were to struggle as a closing option, fellow right-hander Matt Brash could conceivably be given a look in that role as well.

The Angels optioned Mederos to Double-A Rocket City on Wednesday.

Mederos' stay with the big club lasted just one day, with the young right-hander tossing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Atlanta. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Dominic Leone, whom the Angels acquired from the Mets ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.

Martinez will start Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field after Joe Musgrove was scratched due to "minor" right shoulder soreness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Martinez was part of the Padres' Opening Day rotation and has made four starts this season, but he's worked out of the bullpen exclusively since late April and made one-inning appearances Sunday and Monday. As such, Martinez won't be especially well rested ahead of the spot start, and the Padres may end up treating the series finale in Colorado as more of a bullpen day. San Diego could call up another pitcher from the minors to provide length behind Martinez, but no such transaction has been announced yet.

Snead, who was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day, allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over one inning in a loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old southpaw was making his 2023 MLB debut after being optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on July 1 following an extended stint on the injured list due to a shoulder strain. Snead had pitched to plenty of contact with the Aviators and got only 13 of his 24 pitches in for strikes Tuesday, so he's likely to be relegated to low-leverage work with the Athletics for the foreseeable future.

Houston optioned Gage to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Ronel Blanco has been called up in a corresponding roster move to start Wednesday's game against the Guardians. Gage did not make an appearance during his two-day stint in the Astros' bullpen.

Houston recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of his start Wednesday against the Guardians, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blanco has posted an underwhelming 4.70 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 46 major-league innings this season and he had allowed 16 runs -- 15 earned -- in 15 frames (three starts) since being optioned back to Triple-A in early July. The 29-year-old right-hander makes for a risky fantasy streaming option, even versus Cleveland's lackluster offense.

Hudson will start Wednesday's game against the Twins at Busch Stadium.

Hudson and Matthew Liberatore will slot into the rotation this week after St. Louis sent out starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty to the Rangers and Orioles, respectively, prior to Tuesday's trade deadline. Though all but one of his seven appearances with the Cardinals this season have come in a bullpen role, Hudson should be able to provide a decent amount of length in his return to the rotation Wednesday after he covered 4.1 innings and tossed 93 pitches in relief in his most recent appearance last Thursday against the Cubs. Hudson holds a 4.19 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 19.1 innings in the big leagues on the season.