MLB Player News

Painter said following Wednesday's 10-4 loss to to the Nationals in 11 innings that he's not worried about missing time due to the left hamstring injury that forced him out of the game after four innings, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. "I felt like I could have gone out there and still competed. [The coaching staff] felt like they didn't want to risk that," Painter said.

Making a second straight turn through the Philadelphia rotation, Painter struck out four batters and limited the Nationals to one earned run on three hits and one walk in four innings prior to his departure. Painter appeared to first tweak the hamstring in the first inning when he slipped while delivering a 3-2 pitch to Daylen Lile, but the right-hander said the hamstring didn't tighten up on him until the fourth. The Phillies have no plans to send Painter in for imaging, and so long as he's able to complete a bullpen session over the weekend without issue, he'll tentatively line up to make his next start Monday in St. Louis.

The Nationals claimed Mills off waivers from the Dodgers on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

The right-hander was pushed off the Dodgers' 40-man roster Monday following the acquisition of catcher Hunter Feduccia, but Mills has found a new home. He's turned in a 2.41 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 37.1 innings at Triple-A, but he coughed up four runs in just 6.1 innings while posting a 5:9 K:BB during his time in the majors this season.

Pannone cleared waivers Thursday and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old lefty was designated for assignment last Friday following DL Hall's return from the injured list. Pannone has the right to elect free agency, though it's unknown whether he will do so or remain in the Brewers organization as a minor-league depth piece.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Lodolo (finger) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's road game against the White Sox, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Lodolo will be making his first appearance in the majors since he landed on the 15-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break due to a recurring blister issue on his left index finger. Since that IL move, Lodolo has been using a modified grip for his curveball as he aims to put his blister problems behind him. In his lone rehab start, the southpaw allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings for Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. He threw 65 pitches in the outing, so Lodolo won't be fully stretched out when he faces the Pale Hose.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Thursday that there's "probably a slim chance" Greene (elbow) pitches again this season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Greene felt discomfort in his right elbow during a bullpen session Tuesday and was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. He will receive a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday before more is known about the hurler's long-term prognosis. Greene didn't make his 2026 debut until early July following surgery in March to have bone chips removed from his right elbow, and he also had Tommy John surgery back in 2019. It's unclear whether another operation is possible, but even if Greene is prescribed rest, he can be dropped in redraft leagues.

Stone (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Excluding the lone Cactus League appearance he made this spring, Stone will be pitching in a sanctioned game Thursday for the first time since Aug. 31, 2024. The 27-year-old righty underwent shoulder surgery in October of that year and missed the entire 2025 campaign, then experienced a setback this spring that prolonged his recovery. He's apparently been able to ramp up at the Dodgers' complex in Arizona over the past month without any major issues and will now kick off what will presumably be an extended rehab assignment. Given the Dodgers' ample starting depth, Stone could be preparing for a return to the big club as a multi-inning reliever.

Herz (elbow) will resume his rehab assignment Saturday at Single-A Fredericksburg, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Coming back from April 2025 Tommy John surgery, Herz had made three rehab starts in June before he encountered a setback and was diagnosed with a left flexor strain. The southpaw logged a 1.17 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 7.2 innings on his rehab assignment before getting hurt, so he'll be looking to pick up where he left off as he returns to action in the minors for the first time in nearly two months. Herz might not be ready to rejoin the Nationals until September, as he still has a ways to go in terms of building up his pitch count.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Pirates.

Contreras had made six straight starts and homered in Wednesday's win over the Pirates, but he'll get some rest during Thursday's matinee. Gary Sanchez is doing the catching and batting seventh for the Brewers.

Bauers (abdomen) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Pirates.

It will be the third straight day out of the lineup for Bauers, who is dealing with abdominal soreness. He remains day-to-day for the time being, and it's unclear whether Bauers will be available off the bench Thursday. Andrew Vaughn will be at first base and Luis Lara will play right field for the Brewers on Thursday.

Betts went 4-for-5 with a run in a loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

All four knocks were singles, but it was still a promising performance after Betts went 1-for-16 over his previous five games. The star shortstop is in the midst of a quiet season offensively, as his .685 OPS through 78 contests is easily on pace for a career-worst mark. It's worth noting that Betts was carrying a .657 OPS before collecting three hits on the same date (Aug. 5) last year, spurring a hot stretch that resulted in an .892 OPS across his final 47 contests, so there's at least a precedent for those hoping the 2018 AL MVP can turn things around before the end of the campaign.