MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

In six appearances for the Nationals this season, Cruz has allowed five runs with a 4:5 K:BB across four innings of work. The hard-throwing reliever has the upside to work his way into high-leverage situations, but he'll need to earn those opportunities.

The Nationals placed Ribalta on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right forearm inflammation.

Ribalta hadn't appeared in a game since Tuesday before reporting forearm discomfort prior to Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Dodgers, per Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com. According to Zuckerman, the Nationals are still awaiting the results of Ribalta's MRI, but the club had already concluded that his forearm injury was enough of a concern to force him to the shelf. He'll be eligible to come off the IL later this month, but it's possible that his 2026 campaign is over.

The Padres optioned Brito to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

A spot on the active roster needed to be cleared for the return of Nick Pivetta (forearm) from the injured list. Brito permitted one run over 3.2 innings covering a pair of relief outings during his most recent stint with the big club.

The Padres activated Pivetta (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Pivetta will rejoin the Padres rotation with a start Monday against the Nationals after missing nearly five months of action due to a flexor strain. The veteran right-hander fanned seven over 4.1 shutout innings in his final rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 30. Pivetta threw 64 pitches in that outing, so he won't be ready to handle a full workload Monday.

Manager John Schneider said that Ponce (knee) would be a candidate to return from the 60-day injured list only if the Blue Jays make the postseason and advanced deep into October, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Schneider's comments come as little surprise, as Ponce's 2026 campaign was already expected to be over after he tore the ACL in his right knee in his Blue Jays debut March 30 and required surgery a few weeks later. On a positive note, the fact that Ponce hasn't completely been ruled out from pitching if the Blue Jays make a deep playoff run suggests that his recovery has thus far gone smoothly, and he's on track to be 100 percent for spring training. Ponce is under contract through 2028 after signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Blue Jays back in December following an outstanding 2025 season in the Korea Baseball Organization.

Lopez (knee) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Rays in Atlanta, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta will keep a six-man rotation intact but will open up a spot for Lopez by shifting Bryce Elder to the bullpen, at least for the next week. Lopez will make his return to the big club after a strong showing in his three-start rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett, during which he rung up a 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 14 innings. He tossed 93 pitches in his final rehab outing and shouldn't face any workload restrictions Wednesday, when he makes his 12th start of the season for Atlanta.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Bautista's (shoulder) return from the 60-day injured list isn't imminent, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista kicked off his rehab assignment in late August and has made five appearances with Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk, allowing four runs on three hits and six walks with five strikeouts across four innings. He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since July 20 of last year due to shoulder surgery.

Miami announced Monday that Bender (shin) has been shut down from throwing after encountering another setback, Craig Mish of Marlins.tv reports.

Bender has been shelved since late June due to a stress reaction in his right shin, and he's experienced at least two setbacks during his rehab program. The reliever will be re-evaluated at the Marlins' spring training complex in Florida before a decision is made on his next steps, but it's possible his 2026 season is over.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Slaten (elbow) has been shut down from throwing, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Slaten last pitched Aug. 12 before landing on the shelf four days later due to elbow inflammation. He's experienced recurring symptoms since restarting a throwing program recently and will be shut down indefinitely, lessening the possibility that the 28-year-old makes it back from the injured list before the end of the regular season. Slaten owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB across 31.1 innings of relief with Boston.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Helsley (elbow) will throw live batting practice Tuesday or Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Helsley last pitched for Baltimore on June 27 due to elbow inflammation. He's been throwing since early August but will finally face hitters this week, giving him a chance to pitch again this regular season. Helsley has been limited to 17 appearances this season, registering eight saves with a 4.11 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings.