MLB Player News

Whisenhunt has a 4.97 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and a 19:10 K:BB in 12.2 innings through four starts for Double-A Richmond.

The owner of one of the best changeups in the minors, Whisenhunt touched 96 mph with his fastball and struck out the game's best prospect, Jackson Holliday, with a changeup in the Futures Game. He dominated in six starts at High-A (1.42 ERA, 0.67 WHIP) after impressing in four starts at Single-A to open the year, but Whisenhunt has finally reached a level that is challenging him. His 17.2 percent walk rate is concerning, but the sample against Double-A hitters is very small.

Corbin was placed on paternity leave list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Corbin will rejoin the Nationals early next week to make his first start of the second half. He posted a 4.89 ERA in 19 outings prior to the All-Star break.

Contreras' option was transferred to the Florida Complex League on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 6 but had yet to take the mound in the minors. With this move, he should have the chance to re-find his form after a disappointing first half of the season, during which has maintained a 6.59 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 55:32 K:BB across 68.1 innings. Mackey did note that Contreras is expected to pitch at a higher level again this season.

Pepiot (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Alex Freedman of the Oklahoma City Dodgers reports.

A left oblique strain and a setback in early May have kept Pepiot on the shelf all season, but he is now entering the final stage of his recovery process. It's unclear how long the Dodgers plan on keeping Pepiot in the minors. He will likely make multiple starts in OKC before potentially returning to the Dodgers' rotation.

Atlanta designated Munoz for assignment Thursday.

After putting up a 4.28 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 27.1 frames to begin the season in Triple-A Gwinnett, Munoz will be cast off Atlanta's 40-man roster. The move makes room for Lucas Luetge, who was selected to Atlanta's active roster from Gwinnett on Thursday. It's possible Munoz is claimed by another team looking for bullpen help, but he now appears in line to finish 2023 in the minors.

The Giants promoted Black to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Black had a strong first half with Double-A Richmond, putting up a 3.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 83:21 K:BB through 63 innings across 16 starts. The 23-year-old righty will likely close out the season in Sacramento and has a chance to make his debut for the Giants sometime in 2024.

DeSclafani (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the Giants' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

DeSclafani is expected to require just one rehab start, setting the right-hander up to rejoin the Giants rotation next week. He has been on the shelf since early July due to right shoulder fatigue and posted a 4.44 ERA across 17 starts prior to being deactivated.

Ferris has a 3.29 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 35:15 K:BB in 27.1 innings across 10 starts for Single-A Myrtle Beach.

His best outing of the year was his first pro start May 5 against Columbia, where he struck out a career-high seven batters over three no-hit innings. Ferris, an uber-projectable 6-foot-4 lefty, has yet to complete four innings in a start, but he has flashed a very high ceiling.

Murphy has a 2.87 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB over his last three starts (15.2 innings) for Single-A Augusta.

The 20th overall pick in last year's draft, Murphy had a rough six-start stretch from mid-May through mid-June where he had a 7.78 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 19.2 innings, so it's encouraging to see him right the ship. This recent hot stretch included an eight-strikeout game and a 12-strikeout game, which are his top strikeout performances to date as a pro.

Fried (forearm) will make his next rehab start with High-A Rome on Saturday, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.

Fried's first rehab start was at Triple-A Gwinnett, but they're on the road this weekend so the lefty will stay closer to home for his second outing. He threw 35 pitches in his first rehab outing, so Fried should be able to get up to around 50 pitches Saturday. The southpaw is tracking toward a return later this month.