MLB Player News

The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

The move corresponds with the Dodgers sending right-hander Seth Halvorsen down to Triple-A. Knack opened the 2026 season on the injured list while recovering from an intercostal strain but was reinstated right before the All-Star break. He's been deployed out of the Dodgers' bullpen in each of his two major-league outings and figures to operate in a long-relief role.

The Dodgers optioned Halvorsen to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Halvorsen was traded by the Rockies to the Dodgers on July 20 and made his debut with his new team Tuesday against the Royals, when he was credited with the win after issuing one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He'll head down to Triple-A, but Halvorsen could see more big-league action over the next couple of weeks should the Dodgers require more right-handed depth out of the bullpen. Landon Knack was recalled by the Dodgers from Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

The Marlins have tentatively scheduled Bender (shin) to face hitters Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

After completing a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Bender took the mound again Tuesday and threw 25 pitches, per MLB.com. Assuming he feels fine physically coming out of the latter side session, Bender will take the next step forward by throwing against live hitters. The right-hander has been on the shelf since June 30 due to a right shin stress reaction and will likely need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Curtis (side) was reinstated from Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list Wednesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.

Curtis has been sidelined by side discomfort since July 25, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to return to the Triple-A squad. He made his major-league debut with the Pirates on July 18, when he operated in a bulk-relief role against the Guardians and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings. Curtis has a 5.84 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 24.2 innings in the minors this season but could see some major-league action over the final weeks of the regular season.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Wednesday that Kempner will require surgery for his sprained right elbow, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins aren't expected to provide further details until the operation is performed, but Kempner will presumably require Tommy John or internal brace surgery (or a hybrid of the two), which will keep him out for the rest of the 2026 season and most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign. The 25-year-old righty was placed on the injured list July 12 and had initially taken the rest-and-rehab approach for his treatment plan, but he apparently wasn't progressing as well as the Marlins had hoped. He'll close the season with a 2.92 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB in 12.1 innings over nine appearances with the big club.

Mlodzinski will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Miami.

Mlodzinski rejoined the rotation last week after the Pirates shut Mitch Keller down for the season Aug. 3 due to a right arm teres major muscle injury. While making his first start since May 25 in last Friday's 6-4 loss to the Mets, Mlodzinski dropped to 6-4 on the season while yielding five earned runs on seven hits and one walk across three innings. He threw 63 pitches in that outing but should be able to push up into the 70-to-80 range Wednesday as he builds back up following his extended stay in the bullpen.

The Tigers designated Watson for assignment Wednesday.

Detroit added Watson to its 40-man roster July 19, but he remained at Triple-A Toledo and didn't wind up making any appearances for the big club before getting DFA'd to clear room for Corey Julks, whose contract was selected from Triple-A. While handling a swingman role at Toledo this season, Watson has submitted a 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38:18 K:BB over 55 innings.

Suarez (elbow) will advance his throwing progression on flat ground Thursday, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

He's still not ready to throw off a mound yet, but that could be around the corner if Suarez feels good with his flat-ground progression. The veteran reliever has been shelved for nearly two months with right elbow inflammation and has multiple boxes to check before a potential return date becomes clearer.

The Padres reinstated Morgan (knee) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

San Diego didn't have room in its bullpen for Morgan and will stash him at Triple-A now that he's healthy again after he had been on the shelf for about six weeks due to left knee inflammation. Morgan provided a 4.50 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB in 22 innings over 18 appearances for San Diego prior to landing on the IL.

The Tigers optioned Diaz to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

He's being sent out in order to make space for the return of Enmanuel De Jesus (personal) from the paternity list. Diaz made one scoreless appearance during his brief stint with the Tigers.