MLB Player News

Lazar is being sent down to make room for Kolby Allard, who will start Saturday’s game against the Mets. He has a 4.61 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Phillies.

Allard is coming up to start Saturday’s game against the Mets. He has a 3.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 18 innings over four appearances (three starts) for the Phillies this year. Allard could finish out the year as the fifth starter depending on how he pitches on Saturday.

Keirsey Jr. is being optioned to make room for Carlos Correa on the active roster. He was 1-for-10 in four games with Minnesota this year.

Correa hasn’t played since July 12th due to plantar fasciitis and he’s returning in the thick of a playoff push for Minnesota without the benefit of a rehab assignment. Correa was enjoying an All-Star season before the injury, but don’t be surprised if he’s rusty upon return. He’s hitting .308 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI on the year.

Stewart was optioned to make room for Luisangel Acuna on the active. The Mets need another infielder with Jeff McNeil out for the season and Francisco Lindor dealing with a back issue. Stewart hit .177 with five home runs and 19 RBI for New York this year.

Acuna hit .258 with seven home runs, 50 RBI and 40 steals in 131 games at Triple-A this year. With Jeff McNeil out for the rest of the season and Francisco Lindor dealing with a back issue, it was pretty much a no-brainer for the Mets to call up the 22-year-old, who was already on the 40-man roster. DJ Stewart was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster. Acuna could immediately be a good source of speed if he can get on base, though he had a .299 on-base percentage at Triple-A this year.

Zerpa is coming up to replace Chris Stratton, who was placed on the injured list. He has a 4.40 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 47 innings for the Royals this year.

Stratton’s had an uneven year with the Royals after being a member of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers last year. He has a 5.55 ERA this year. Still, Stratton has been a workhorse out of the bullpen totaling 82 2/3 innings in 2023 and 58 1/3 this year. It’s concerning that he’s going on the injured list this late in the year with a flexor strain. It’s unclear if Stratton will pitch again this season and flexor strains can sometimes be a precursor to Tommy John surgery.

Kelly was used in the Red Sox’ 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Friday and the team is swapping him out for a fresh arm. He has a 3.97 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings for Boston this year.

Booser was used in the Red Sox’ 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Friday and the team is swapping him out for a fresh arm. He has a 3.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings for Boston this year.