MLB Player News

Herget (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Rocket City on Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Herget began throwing bullpens last week and has been cleared to return to game action with the Double-A club. The right-hander has been on the injured list for a month due to a shoulder injury and a setback in late June, so it's possible that he'll require multiple rehab appearances prior to rejoining the Angels.

Ponce de Leon signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Ponce de Leon has spent time on minor-league deals with the Angels and Mariners this year, and he'll have a chance to carve out a role in the Nationals' system now that the All-Star break is over. The right-hander made 16 starts at Triple-A Tacoma earlier in the year and posted a 7.95 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 71.1 innings.

Leone (3-2) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning Thursday, taking the loss versus the Dodgers.

The Giants pulled ahead in the top of the eighth inning, but Leone couldn't protect the one-run advantage. He gave up a double to Gavin Lux and a triple to Trayce Thompson. Jarlin Garcia then gave up a three-run home run, with the decisive run charged to Leone. Between the start of June and the All-Star break, Leone posted a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings, but he's now started the second half in shaky form against a tough team. The right-hander has a 3.78 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 36:12 K:BB, two saves, 10 holds and three blown saves through 33.1 innings this year.

Neris (3-3) allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk to blow the save but earn a win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

He was the first reliever to get a chance in the closer role with Ryan Pressly (personal) briefly away from the team. Neris was able to get two outs, but he then allowed a game-tying single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The right-hander has been a strong high-leverage option for the Astros this season, but he may lose out on save chances to Rafael Montero -- who converted his opportunity in the second game of the doubleheader -- while Pressly is away from the team.

Kimbrel earned a save over the Giants on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one inning.

After the Dodgers took a three-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kimbrel was called upon to shut the door. The right-hander allowed a bunt single but was otherwise spotless, closing out the contest on an efficient 12 pitches. KImbrel has bounced back from a rough patch to allow only one run over his past six appearances. During that stretch, he's picked up two wins, two saves and one hold while posting a 7:2 K:BB over 5.2 frames.

White didn't factor in the decision against San Francisco on Thursday despite allowing just one hit and two walks over five-plus scoreless innings. He struck out one batter.

White certainly pitched well enough to earn a win for the first time since mid-May -- in fact, he didn't give up his first hit until the opening batter of the sixth inning. It's doubtful that the right-hander would have been allowed a shot at history even if he had maintained the no-hitter since he had already thrown 78 pitches through five frames, but he was in line for the victory until the Los Angeles bullpen surrendered five runs in the seventh. White isn't certain to stick in the rotation once Andrew Heaney (shoulder) returns to action -- which could happen as soon as next week -- but White has fared well when called upon this season, logging a 3.78 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 50 innings.

Logue (3-5) took the loss in the first game of a doubleheader against Detroit on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out four.

Though he was outgunned by opposing starter Tarik Skubal, Logue had a pretty strong showing himself, completing six innings for just the second time this season and earning his second career quality start. The southpaw was efficient with 65 of 92 pitches thrown for strikes, and he delivered a first-pitch strike to 17 of the 25 batters he faced. The rookie was recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day and designated as Oakland's 27th man for the doubleheader, so he may be headed back to the minors despite the solid performance.

Montero allowed a hit but recorded the final two outs to tally the save in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Montero was called upon to get the final two outs of the game after Brandon Bielak served up a home run that cut the Astros lead to two. Montero could be in line for save chances in the short term with Ryan Pressly (personal) likely out for most of the team's weekend series against the Mariners, though Hector Neris received the opportunity -- but blew the chance -- in the first game of the doubleheader. Montero has been a strong member of Houston's bullpen all season while maintaining a 1.85 ERA and 43:14 K:BB across 39 frames.

Hill was returned to Triple-A Toldeo after the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Athletics.

Hill served as the 27th man for Detroit's doubleheader and started the second game. He allowed three runs on five hits across five innings while walking two and striking out four to take the loss. Hill has maintained a 4.06 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 37.2 innings with Toledo this season and will likely remain a candidate for spot starts in the second half of the season.

Hill (1-2) allowed three runs on five hits across five innings to take the loss in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Athletics. He walked two and struck out four.

Hill cruised through five scoreless innings, but he ran into trouble in the sixth by allowing two singles and a three-run home run by Sean Murphy before getting the hook. This was Hill's third start of the year, and outside of allowing six runs his last time out, he's allowed just four runs over his other 11 innings of action, leaving the righty with a 5.63 ERA overall. Hill was the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader and could return to the minors soon, though with Detroit's rotation thinned by injuries, he figures to see more MLB starts this year.