MLB Player News

Smith (1-3) blew the save and took the loss Monday against the Astros. He allowed two runs on three hits over one inning.

It's Smith's first blown save since May 5 -- he'd pitched to a 2.00 ERA over his last 18 innings. The 33-year-old southpaw is now 14-for-16 in save chances this year with a 3.19 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 31 innings this season. Smith has certainly pitched well enough to hang onto the closing job, though the newly acquired Aroldis Chapman has been quickly working his way up the Rangers' bullpen hierarchy.

The Royals transferred Taylor (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Taylor underwent surgery last week to repair a herniated disc in his lower back and is without a timeline for his return, but the move to the 60-day IL ensures he won't be available out of the Kansas City bullpen until at least late July. The southpaw reliever had struggled to an 8.15 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 17 appearances for Kansas City prior to being placed on the shelf in late May.

The Mets transferred Uceta (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The transaction won't affect Uceta's timeline for rejoining the Mets, as he had already missed more than two months after landing on the 15-day IL on April 25 due to a left ankle sprain. He resumed a rehab assignment in early May, only to develop a left knee injury during that time before he was ultimately diagnosed with a torn meniscus, which he had surgically repaired June 9. The Mets likely won't have a precise timeline for Uceta's return from the IL until he resumes a throwing program.

The Nationals placed Ward on the 15-day injured list Monday with right shoulder inflammation, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The rookie Rule 5 selection will head to the IL to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for lefty Patrick Corbin (personal), who was reinstated from the bereavement list ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Reds. Considering Ward owns a 7.12 ERA and 1.65 WHIP and has yet to record a hold or save among his 22 relief appearances this season, his move to the IL should go largely unnoticed in fantasy circles.

The Mariners acquired Muckenhirn from the Mets on Monday in exchange for right-handers Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Seattle optioned him to Triple-A Tacoma.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the Mariners while also sparing Seattle from covering the approximately $4.6 million remaining on the contracts of Flexen and Gott for the 2023 season. A 28-year-old southpaw, Muckenhirn reached the majors for the first time earlier this season and made three appearances for the Mets, but the bulk of his innings have come at Triple-A Syracuse, with whom he's produced a tidy 0.88 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 30.2 innings. Muckenhirn could be one of the top options for a promotion when the Mariners require a lefty arm in the bullpen.

Gott and right-hander Chris Flexen were traded to the Mets from the Mariners in exchange for southpaw Zach Muckenhirn on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gott will head to New York as the Mets look to bolster their bullpen. The 30-year-old has produced a 4.03 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 32 strikeouts over 29 innings in 30 appearances with the Mariners this season and will likely operate in a middle-relief role with his new squad.

Villalobos was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

After being claimed off waivers by Miami on June 26, Villalobos was once again designated for assignment. He'll head back to waivers, where another team will be able to claim him. If he goes unclaimed, the 28-year-old will remain with Double-A Pensacola. In a corresponding move, Dane Myers was added to the Marlins' major-league roster, replacing Jazz Chisholm (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday.

Kennedy has been added to the Reds' taxi squad and is expected to be formally called up from Triple-A Louisville to start Tuesday versus the Nationals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Kennedy began this year in independent ball before latching on with the Reds on a minor-league deal and posting a 3.71 ERA and 37:12 K:BB over 43.2 frames covering eight starts at Triple-A. The 28-year-old last appeared in the majors back in 2018.

Hernandez (shoulder/side) was activated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez is back to full health again after he had spent the entire season on the IL, first while recovering from a shoulder injury before he had his rehab program slowed by side discomfort in June. The Mets don't have an opening for Hernandez in the big-league bullpen at the moment, so while he'll reclaim his spot on the 40-man roster now that he's been activated, he'll head to Triple-A to continue building his case for a promotion. During his rehab assignment, Hernandez posted a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB over 7.1 innings across six appearances between High-A Brooklyn and Single-A St. Lucie.

Muckenhirn was designated for assignment Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Muckenhirn has allowed four runs in six relief innings with the Mets this season. He's spent most of the year at Triple-A Syracuse, where he's posted a 0.88 ERA but with just 19 strikeouts in 30.2 frames.