MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Kennedy to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 25-year-old was called up by Philadelphia on Sept. 6 but will return to Triple-A with Edmundo Sosa (back) being activated from the injured list Tuesday. Kennedy appeared in seven games during his brief time in the majors and went 2-for-10 with a double, two walks, two RBI and a run scored.

Garrett (forearm) tossed three scoreless innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, striking out three batters while scattering three hits and two walks.

Garrett built up to 59 pitches (33 strikes) in the second start of his rehab assignment, after he previously tossed three scoreless innings for Single-A Jupiter on Sept. 5. Per MLB.com, Garrett is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday, and assuming he gets stretched out to around five innings and 80 pitches and experiences no physical setbacks, he could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list thereafter. Garrett has been on the shelf since June 23 with a left forearm flexor strain.

The Phillies reinstated Sosa (back) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 28-year-old has been sidelined since Sept. 6 due to back spasms, and he'll rejoin the Phillies on Tuesday after a brief stay on the shelf. Alec Bohm (hand) also returned from the injured list over the weekend, so Sosa should reclaim his role as a utility infielder.

Smith is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Miami.

It's a routine day off for Smith, who had started four of the last five contests behind the plate. Hunter Feduccia is doing the catching in what will be his second career start.

Alcantara (elbow) threw live batting practice at LoanDepot Park on Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Alcantara faced batters for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery Oct. 6, 2023. The right-hander's rehab from the operation has moved along swimmingly thus far, and he should be ready to roll for the start of spring training.

Vargas slashed .303/.406/.493 with four home runs and 11 steals in 38 Arizona Complex League games.

The 6-foot-4 infielder logged 30 starts at shortstop and four starts at third base, but many evaluators expect him to eventually outgrow the six and slide to the hot corner. Vargas' last official game of the year was July 11, yet he hit a home run in the ACL Dodgers' championship-clinching game over the ACL D-backs on July 30, per Kenny Van Doren of MiLB.com. Unlike ACL teammate Eduardo Quintero, Vargas did not get assigned to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga after the complex league wrapped up.

Meyer registered a 5.18 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 42:32 K:BB in 40 innings across 11 appearances for High-A Beloit.

Meyer was the consensus top prep righty in last year's draft, and it's an accomplishment for him to have logged 74 innings this season while climbing to High-A as a 19-year-old. However, his 16.3 percent walk rate at Single-A and 17.9 percent walk rate at High-A are dangerously high marks, even given his youth. He walked between two and five batters while never logging more than five innings over his last 10 starts. Meyer's got very strong stuff, but his control isn't ready for the upper levels.

Clifford is slashing .231/.359/.456 with 18 home runs, a 15.6 percent walk rate and a 28.9 percent strikeout rate in 98 games for Double-A Binghamton.

Power and patience are Clifford's top traits, but his lefty power was largely suppressed by the pitcher-friendly dimensions of the High-A Brooklyn park, as he managed just seven homers in 63 games with the Cyclones dating back to 2023. His pop has been on full display at Double-A however, as his .225 ISO is the third-highest mark among all qualified Double-A hitters. Clifford is the fifth-youngest qualified hitter at Double-A, and he projects to do enough damage to at least occupy the strong side of a first base or designated-hitter platoon for the big club in a couple years.

Manaea came away with a no-decision in Monday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out six.

The veteran lefty was impressive once again as he delivered his sixth quality start in his last seven trips to the mound, but Manaea was actually in line for the loss until the Mets finally got on the board in the eighth inning. Over his last 10 outings, Manaea has posted a dazzling 2.49 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 76:16 K:BB through 65 innings, but he's had to settle for a no-decision in three straight starts. He'll try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Phillies.

Irvin came away with a no-decision in Monday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Mets, allowing one run on four hits and a walk through 7.1 innings. He struck out five.

The righty put together his second straight quality start and 16th of the season on 94 pitches (65 strikes), and Irvin took a shutout into the eighth inning before New York finally broke through. Irvin has had a bumpy finish to the campaign, giving up at least four runs in five of nine outings since the beginning of August while posting a 5.65 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB through 51 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road this weekend against the Cubs.