MLB Player News

Stephan (3-3) allowed a run on two hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Stephan navigated a single in the fifth inning without trouble, but he let Spencer Torkelson aboard in the sixth. Bryan Shaw allowed the inherited runner to score, leaving Stephan with the loss when the Guardians failed to pull even. This ended a 6.2-inning scoreless streak for Stephan, who has put together a solid campaign outside of an ugly May. He owns a 3.30 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB while adding a save, a blown save and four holds through 30 innings.

Bickford earned a hold against Colorado on Monday, pitching a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

After Dodgers starter Julio Urias allowed just one run over six frames, Bickford took over for the seventh inning. The right-hander began his outing with a strikeout and set the side down in order on 15 pitches. Bickford allowed four runs across two-thirds of an inning in a poor outing against Cincinnati on June 23, but around that blowup he's notched seven scoreless outings during which he's posted an 8:0 K:BB over seven frames.

Morejon (shoulder) will join Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Assuming the Padres are keeping Morejon in the bullpen, the lefty doesn't figure to need more than one or two rehab appearances before being activated. Morejon allowed two earned runs in 4.2 innings of relief before going on the injured list June 23 with shoulder inflammation.

Scott pitched two innings against the Mariners on Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out four.

Scott played in Japan in 2020 and 2021 before signing a minor-league contract with San Diego this February. He was called up from Triple-A on Sunday and made his Padres debut Monday. The right-hander began his outing impressively, retiring the first five batters he faced and striking out the side in the fifth inning. However, a Manny Machado error in the top of the sixth threw Scott off track, and he was able to retire only one batter in that frame while allowing three runs to cross the plate. Scott threw 49 pitches in the appearance, so he's unlikely to be called upon again for at least a few days.

The Rays optioned Fleming to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.

Fleming will return to Triple-A after he served as the primary pitcher behind opener Jalen Beeks in Monday's 4-0 loss to the Red Sox. The lefty was handed the loss after he surrendered all four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out four over five innings. Jeffrey Springs (personal) was activated from the family medical emergency list ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday in a corresponding move.

The Giants released Palumbo from his minor-league contract Monday.

Palumbo lost his spot on Triple-A Sacramento's roster after the Giants optioned right-hander Sean Hjelle to their top affiliate in a corresponding move. A former top prospect in the Rangers organization, Palumbo reached the big leagues for the first time in his age-24 campaign in 2019, but he's made just two MLB appearances in the three seasons since. His release comes after he was tagged for five earned runs on six hits and two walks across 1.1 innings in his three relief appearances for Sacramento.

Winder was scratched from his scheduled start Monday for Triple-A St. Paul and joined the Twins' taxi squad, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Winder could make an appearance during the remaining two games of the Twins' series with the White Sox.

Winder is on the cusp of rejoining the Twins after he most recently threw six scoreless innings for the club in a June 28 spot start during a doubleheader. Though he's pitched well enough this season to warrant a rotation spot with Minnesota, the team doesn't appear to have an opening for him at the moment. The Twins could still find spots to use him as an occasional starter or tandem long reliever.

Barlow (2-2) took the loss Monday as the Royals fell 7-6 to the Astros, giving up one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

The rest of Kansas City's bullpen had already blown a 6-3 lead when Barlow entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he completed the collapse by serving up a walkoff solo homer to Yordan Alvarez. It's only the fourth time in 15 appearances since the beginning of June that Barlow has been tagged for any runs, a stretch during which he's posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 15.2 innings while converting seven of eight save chances.

Heasley didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Astros, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.

The rookie right-hander delivered his fourth quality start in 10 trips to the mound this year on 92 pitches (57 strikes), but Heasley was denied his second win when the Royals' bullpen imploded. He'll carry a 4.76 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 38:26 K:BB through 51 innings into his next outing.

Hudson (6-5) took the loss during Monday's 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Braves, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks with two strikeouts in four innings.

Hudson fell behind early and St. Louis was unable to rebound, as he permitted one run on two hits in the first inning and five runs on six baserunners in the second. The 27-year-old has seen his ERA rise after each of his last five starts -- increasing from 2.76 to 4.29 -- while also posting the worst K/BB of the 64 qualified starters at 1.18 thanks to 46 strikeouts and 39 free passes in 84 frames. Hudson will look to get back on track in his next start, which tentatively lines up for this weekend against Philadelphia.