MLB Player News

Williams (elbow) struck out two and allowed two hits and no walks over 2.2 scoreless innings Wednesday in a rehab start at Triple-A Rochester.

Through three starts since beginning his rehab assignment June 28, Williams has turned in a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB over 5.2 innings across stops with Rochester, Double-A Harrisburg and Single-A Fredericksburg. Williams is building up his innings and pitch counts slowly but surely as he works his way back from last July's internal brace surgery and will likely require at least two or three more appearances in the minors to get fully stretched out. The Nationals don't appear to have a spot available in the rotation for Williams at the moment, though that could change in the aftermath of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Irvin (shoulder) struck out three and gave up one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings Monday in a rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Making his first appearance in a game since May 23 following an extended recovery from a right shoulder strain, Irvin looked sharp while facing off a lineup consisting mostly of teenaged hitters. He'll presumably shift his rehab assignment to a higher level this weekend when the Nationals' full-season affiliates are back in action following the All-Star break and will aim to push up his pitch count. Prior to landing on the injured list, Irvin had posted a solid 58:22 K:BB over 51.2 innings, but an elevated BABIP (.304) and low strand rate (63.4 percent) played a part in inflating his ERA (5.23) and WHIP (1.35).

Jobe (elbow) struck out four while allowing two hits and no walks over three scoreless innings in a rehab start Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Jobe tossed 38 pitches (27 strikes) during the appearance, his second in the FCL after kicking off his rehab assignment last Tuesday. The flamethrowing righty could shift his assignment to a higher-level affiliate coming out of the All-Star break as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. Jobe is expected to need the entirety of his 30-day rehab window to get fully stretched out and regain command, but the Tigers could open up a spot for him in the rotation once he's ready to return from the 60-day injured list. As a rookie last season, Jobe turned in a 4.22 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 39:27 K:BB in 49 innings over 10 starts before being shut down due to the elbow injury.

The Pirates optioned Murdock to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Sunday's 14-5 win over the Brewers.

Murdock was up with the Pirates as their 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader, but he went unused in both ends of the twin bill. The 27-year-old righty is still waiting to make his Pittsburgh debut after he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in the offseason before being added to the 40-man roster July 5.

Double-A Chesapeake placed Anderson on its 7-day injured list Tuesday due to a left ankle injury, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Anderson sustained the injury Sunday before landing on the IL two days later. The catching prospect had produced a .271/.371/.522 slash line with 17 home runs and five stolen bases across 287 plate appearances for Chesapeake this season before being deactivated.

The Mets announced June 1 that Hagenman (rib) has yet to resume a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

Six weeks have passed since the Mets have provided an update on Hagenman, so the 29-year-old righty could be stuck in a holding pattern in his recovery from the fractured rib he sustained in a March 5 Grapefruit League game. Once he finally completes a throwing progression, Hagenman will require an extended minor-league rehab assignment and will likely be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse once he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Robert (back) went 2-for-6 with two runs and an RBI while playing eight innings in center field in a rehab game with Double-A Binghamton on Sunday.

Though he hasn't played on consecutive days since kicking off his rehab assignment June 30, Robert appears to have settled into a nice rhythm at the plate while out on the farm. He's turned in three straight two-hit efforts and is slashing .304/.360/.435 in 25 total plate appearances over six games between Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. According to MLB.com, Robert is expected to require a day or two of prep coming out of the All-Star break before rejoining the Mets, but he appears likely to be activated from the 60-day injured list at some point during the big club's series with the Phillies next weekend. Robert has played exclusively in center during his rehab assignment, but the Mets could end up deploying him as a designated hitter when he's reinstated to allow superstar Juan Soto and rookies Carson Benge and AJ Ewing to continue playing regularly in the outfield.

Semien (hip) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Sunday, logging five innings at second base while going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run.

After landing on the shelf June 25 due to a Grade 3 left hip flexor strain, Semien initially appeared unlikely to make it back from the injured list before the beginning of August, but he's made more rapid progress in his recovery than anticipated. Semien will put his rehab assignment on hold during the All-Star break, but he's expected to report back to Binghamton or Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend to continue stockpiling at-bats in games. If all goes well in his initial rehab games following the break, Semien could get the green light to rejoin the Mets at some point during the final two weeks of July.

Hanner informed the Yankees that he intends to exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Wednesday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Unless the Yankees make a late decision to add Hanner to their 40-man roster, the right-handed reliever will head to the open market. Hanner won't have any trouble fetching a minor-league contract elsewhere and could even land a major-league deal after shining at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre so far this season. The 27-year-old has submitted a 1.99 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 50:16 K:BB across 40.2 innings.

Single-A Hill City placed Oakie on its 7-day injured list Wednesday due to a viral illness.

Oakie hadn't pitched for Hill City since June 24 before the club deactivated him two weeks later. The young righty is regarded as one of the Guardians' better lower-level pitching prospects but has struggled to a 7.15 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 56:42 K:BB over 45.1 innings with Hill City this season.