MLB Player News

Howard was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Howard had been stretching out as a starter in the minors since the end of June, but he'll be available to provide length out of the bullpen in Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees. The right-hander threw three innings during his most recent appearance Saturday, so he should be able to provide multiple innings if needed. Outfielder Mickey Moniak was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Hoffman (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's start against the Mets.

Hoffman had been on the injured list since late May due to a right shoulder impingement, but he made four rehab starts at Triple-A Louisville prior to his activation. He most recently pitched July 7, when he tossed 82 pitches across 5.1 innings during his rehab outing. Manager David Bell said that the Reds will consider using a six-man rotation going forward, but it's not yet clear whether Hoffman will remain in the rotation following Wednesday's start.

Wells was recalled by the Orioles on Wednesday to start the series finale against the Rays.

Keegan Akin was initially slated to serve as the starting pitcher Wednesday, but he was placed on the injured list for an unspecified reason. As a result, Wells will return to the Orioles to make his first major-league start. The southpaw has worked mainly as a starter in the minors this year, and he's posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 43 innings across 10 appearances (eight starts). Wells will be fully rested going into Wednesday's start, but it's not clear whether he could be on a pitch count.

Akin was placed on the COVID-19 injured list on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old was slated to serve as the starting pitcher in Wednesday's series finale against the Rays, but left-hander Alexander Wells will take his place after he was recalled as part of a corresponding move. The Orioles haven't disclosed whether Akin tested positive for the virus, so he may only end up missing one turn through the rotation if he's able to quickly clear health and safety protocols.

The Padres recalled Knehr from Triple-A El Paso and designated him as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader in Atlanta. He'll start the second game of the twin bill, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Knehr will be picking up his second start of the season for the Padres after he was touched up for two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings July 9 against the Rockies. Due to the mounting injuries to the San Diego rotation, Knehr will temporarily step in as the club's fifth starter, but he could be headed back to the minors if Ryan Weathers (ankle) is ready to return from the injured list for this weekend's series in Miami.

Tampa Bay placed Feyereisen on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder discomfort, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Rays summoned Chris Mazza from Triple-A Durham to replace Feyereisen in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster. Since being acquired from the Brewers on May 21, Feyereisen has stepped in as a key piece in the late innings for the Rays, compiling a 2.42 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, four wins, three saves and three holds over 21 appearances. According to Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE, Feyereisen said he will undergo an MRI later Wednesday, which should provide a better indication of his timeline for a return.

Atlanta recalled Wilson from Triple-A Gwinnett and appointed him as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Padres.

Wilson is scheduled to start the second game of the twin bill for Atlanta, but he'll likely need to dazzle during the outing to stick around with the big club beyond Wednesday. The 23-year-old righty is likely just making a spot start for Atlanta, which was forced to temporarily expand its rotation to six men due to the doubleheader. Over his six starts with Atlanta in 2021, Wilson has gone 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 28.2 innings.

Alcala (1-3) allowed three runs on one hit and two walks while striking out a batter over one-third of an inning as he took the loss Tuesday against the White Sox.

Things started off well for Alcala after striking out the first batter he faced but went south quickly after that. He walked the next two batters he faced before Andrew Vaughn delivered an RBI single to tie the game up 5-5 in the eighth. Alcala was relieved of his duties by Hansel Robles, who also struck out the first batter he faced but then went on to allow four runs, two of which were charged to Alcala. The 25-year-old has not had some of his best stuff lately, as he has three losses and a 14.29 ERA over his last 5.2 innings pitched.

Bukauskas (2-2) struck out two over a perfect seventh inning and was the winning pitcher in Tuesday's 11-6 win over the Pirates.

Bukauskas was the beneficiary of Arizona's eight-run seventh inning, but he was impressive nonetheless, using his entire repertoire to dispatch Pittsburgh on 14 pitches (10 strikes). Both of his post-break outings have been scoreless. The Diamondbacks will be giving Bukauskas plenty of chances over the final months to chisel away at a 7.98 ERA.

Smith gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 19th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Padres.

The veteran lefty did give up a two-out double to Wil Myers, but he got Victor Caratini to ground out to end the threat. Smith has converted three straight save chances and eight of his last nine dating back to June 13, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB through 14 innings over that stretch.