MLB Player News

Bender earned the save Thursday after holding the Mets to one run (unearned) on one hit and a walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Bender was called upon to protect a three-run game in the ninth and worked around an error, a walk and pair of infield singles to hold onto the win for Miami. The 26-year-old has put together a solid season thus far with a 2.06 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 39.1 innings and is expected to earn more save opportunities following Yimi Garcia's trade to the Astros.

Zimmermann (biceps) is scheduled to make the second start of his rehab assignment Thursday at Triple-A Norfolk, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

After being placed on the 10-day injured list June 18 with left biceps tendinitis, Zimmermann was cleared to begin his rehab assignment at High-A Aberdeen last weekend. He tossed three innings in that start, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out four. Zimmermann tossed 55 pitches in that outing, and if he can push into the 70-to-80 range Thursday, he could slot back into the Baltimore rotation for his next start.

De Leon announced Thursday via his personal Twitter account that he signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox.

De Leon will be moving on to his fourth MLB organization after he was released by the Reds just over a week ago. After being demoted to Triple-A Louisville in early May, De Leon made 12 appearances out of the bullpen with the affiliate, logging a 4.63 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 11.2 innings. Expect him to report to Triple-A Worcester to begin his tenure with the Red Sox organization.

The Yankees reinstated Peralta from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday.

Before testing positive for the virus July 15, Peralta appeared in 22 games for the Yankees, posting a 5.19 ERA and 10:7 K:BB in 17.1 relief innings. The lefty figures to pitch in low-leverage situations going forward.

Clarke (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Clarke spent a month and a half on the injured list, but he made three rehab appearances prior to his return. Across his two outings at Triple-A Reno, the righty allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three in two scoreless frames. The right-hander should serve as a middle reliever now that he's fully healthy.

The Diamondbacks optioned Bukauskas to Triple-A Reno following Wednesday's game against the Giants.

The righty has appeared in three games since being recalled July 30, most recently throwing a scoreless inning in Wednesday's contest. Bukauskas' overall numbers this season are not good, though, as he has a 7.79 ERA and 1.79 WHIP in 17.1 big-league relief innings.

Canterino (elbow) is hoping to return to action sometime in August, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

He has missed over two months with an elbow strain, but for now it seems the plan is for him to avoid surgery and get back on the mound this season. Canterino was dominant through four starts with High-A Cedar Rapids before suffering the injury, logging a 1.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 35:3 K:BB in 18 innings (four starts). While he has a very high ceiling, he is not out of the woods yet from a health standpoint.

Almonte (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday.

Almonte landed on the COVID-19 IL on July 16, but he threw a bullpen session in late July and recently made two rehab appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. During his rehab outings, he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in two scoreless innings. The right-hander will serve as a late reliever once again, but he's unlikely to see many high-leverage chances since he's posted a 10.67 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in 27 innings across 31 relief appearances this year.

Tapia has a 3.86 ERA over seven innings this season.

Since he was called up from Triple-A Omaha on July 23, he's posted four scoreless outings. Tapia's one mistake was a disastrous inning versus Toronto on July 30 in which he yielded three runs. The 30-year-old reliever is unlikely to step into a high-leverage role, but he's been able to pitch without yielding too many baserunners (nine hits, three walks). A 4.67 FIP suggests regression could pop up at any time, especially when hitters have a .381 BABIP against Tapia, though it's worth noting the small sample size.

Rolison broke a bone in his throwing hand while fielding balls and is questionable to return before the end of the season, Joe Healy of Baseball America reports.

It's been a rough go for Rolison, as he was on his way back from appendicitis when he suffered this latest injury. He was supposed to resume throwing by the end of July, but it is unclear if that happened. Prior to getting his appendix removed, Rolison quickly forced a promotion from Double-A Hartford after logging a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 14.2 innings (three starts). He has a 4.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 12.1 innings through three starts with Triple-A Albuquerque.