MLB Player News

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right forearm strain.

Ashcraft will be eligible for activation Sept. 9, but even if he's able to recover from the forearm strain with rest and rehab rather than season-ending surgery, he's still likely to need more than 15 days to move past the issue. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to lefty Nick Lodolo (finger), who was activated ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Dodgers. Ashcraft had emerged as a key late-inning weapon for the Reds in his first season as a full-time reliever and had been especially effective so far in August, logging 1.59 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB and collecting five holds in 11.1 innings over his 12 appearances on the month.

The Mets recalled Herget from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Herget has permitted one earned run with a 1:2 K:BB over 5.1 innings in the majors between Atlanta and New York this season and will fill a low-leverage relief role with the Mets. The club has yet to announce a corresponding roster move.

The Orioles optioned Hiraldo to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Hiraldo has been sent down one day after he was touched up for three runs in a 1.1-inning relief outing in the Orioles' 5-0 loss to the Red Sox. The righty reliever has collected a 5.65 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over 14.1 frames with the Orioles this season.

The Cardinals recalled Granillo from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

St. Louis optioned Granillo to Triple-A on Monday, but he didn't make an appearance for Memphis before he was called back to the big club to join the bullpen as a replacement for John King (back), who landed on the injured list. Granillo is likely to take on a low-leverage role for the Cardinals after logging a 4.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 18.2 innings through his first 12 relief appearances in the majors.

The Cardinals placed King on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a mid-back strain.

King had been on the shelf from July 30 through this past Saturday due to an oblique strain, and despite having not made a relief appearance since being activated Sunday, the left-hander will head back to the IL with a new injury. St. Louis recalled right-hander Andre Granillo from Triple-A Memphis to replace King in the bullpen.

The Mariners optioned Lao to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Lao's latest stint in the majors lasted one week and he made just one appearance, getting tagged for three runs over 1.2 innings. He's being replaced on the active roster and in the bullpen by Emerson Hancock, who was recalled from Tacoma.

Hatch made his most recent appearance in long relief during Saturday's 7-3 loss to the White Sox, striking out five over five innings while allowing three hits and no walks.

After tossing five innings of one-run ball in a winning effort over the Tigers in his first start of the season back on Aug. 17, Hatch shifted back to the bullpen last weekend while the Twins added a pair of trade-deadline pickups -- Mick Abel and Taj Bradley -- into the rotation. With Abel getting tagged for six runs over three innings Saturday in his team debut, Hatch effectively piggybacked him in the outing, even though that wasn't necessarily the Twins' plan heading into the day. Neither Abel nor Bradley are guaranteed second turns through the rotation, but in spite of his strong performance Saturday, Hatch could end up sticking in the bullpen moving forward. The Twins will get another starter in Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) back from the injured list to start Wednesday's game in Toronto, and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) could be ready to come off the IL next week to further bolster the rotation.

Estrada earned a hold against Seattle on Tuesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one inning.

Estrada entered in a very high-leverage situation, taking the mound with San Diego up by one run the eighth inning. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single but nothing more, getting out of the frame with the lead intact. Mason Miller was used one inning before Estrada, but that doesn't necessarily reflect the Padres' bullpen hierarchy, as Miller was summoned to face the heart of Seattle's order. Nonetheless, Estrada continues to be a trusted late-inning option for San Diego -- he has a career-high 27 holds on the campaign, tied for fourth most in the majors.

Butto picked up a hold over two-thirds of a scoreless inning in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Cubs, striking out one.

Butto recorded his third consecutive scoreless outing, throwing four of his seven pitches for strikes after entering with one out in the eighth inning. Over 11 appearances since being traded to the Giants, the right-hander has recorded a 2.61 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 10.1 innings. Overall, he owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 51:25 K:BB over 57.1 innings in 45 games between the Giants and Mets.

Lucchesi picked up a hold over 1.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Cubs, striking out two.

Lucchesi entered the game in the seventh inning and retired all four batters he faced, throwing 13 of his 19 pitches for strikes. The left-hander has struggled in August, though he has recorded back-to-back scoreless outings. Over 10 appearances this month, he has recorded an 8.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across nine innings.