MLB Player News

Jose A. Ferrer was unavailable after throwing 43 pitches on Saturday, so the Nats just stuck with Parker in his first relief appearance after 59 major league starts. Incredibly, it’s the Nationals’ first three-inning save since the move to D.C. The franchise’s last came in 1999, when Anthony Telford had one for the Expos. Parker, who was pulled from the rotation with his ERA climbing to 5.85 last weekend, allowed just two hits, He nearly gave up a game-tying homer, or at least a double, to Francisco Alvarez to start the ninth, but Jacob Young made an outstanding jumping catch at the wall, and the Mets went quietly from there.

Johnson gets the call to replace Dane Myers after Myers was placed on the injured list with a shoulder bruise. The 27-year-old will likely just be a bench option in this stint with the Reds.

Myers hurt his shoulder when he crashed into the center-field wall during Monday’s game against the Brewers. He’ll be out at least 10 days with the ailment, but how much time he’ll miss is still up in the air. The 30-year-old outfielder has been replaced on the active roster by Ivan Johnson, with Johnson recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Woods Richardson could elect free agency after being designated for assignment and unclaimed, but for now, it appears the 25-year-old will remain in the Toronto organization. He’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster if the Blue Jays deem him worth of an MLB roster spot.

Wesneski had Tommy John surgery last May and has been deliberate in his recovery. The fact that he is just beginning his rehab assignment on the final day of June means he likely wouldn’t be an option for the Astros until early to mid-August. He does have experience pitching out of the bullpen, so he could help in a bulk relief role in the final weeks of the season.

Lux had a shoulder impingement back in April and then suffered a leg injury in May while recovering from the shoulder impingement, and then suffered another shoulder injury at the end of May while recovering from that leg injury. Fraley underwent sports hernia surgery in the middle of May. Both players have a shot of being back after the All-Star break, if all goes well.

Cruz was with the Yankees for two games earlier in the season. On the year, he has a 3.18 ERA and nearly 30 percent strikeout rate in 28 1/3 innings pitched at Triple-A.

Morel was designated for assignment and then released by the Marlins just a few days ago. The 27-year-old hit .162/.219/.206 with zero homers, one RBI, and a 28/4 K/BB ratio in 73 plate appearances with the Marlins. He will report to Triple-A Syracuse for now, but the deal contains multiple opt-outs, so it’s unclear how long Morel will stay in the minors before trying to use one of them.

Molina was acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline last year for reliever Phil Maton. Molina has registered a 2.87 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 82/26 K/BB ratio in 69 innings at Double-A Springfield. He will slot into the Triple-A rotation behind older starting pitchers like Hunter Dobbins, Quinn Mathews, and injured pitchers Richard Fitts, Cooper Hjerpe, and Tekoah Roby. It’s unlikely the 22-year-old Molina will make MLB starts this season, but he could be a name to watch next year.

No one was robbing Ohtani’s homer off Matt Krook; he hit the ball 112.3 mph and a projected 432 feet to right. He has 18 homers and is up to third in the majors with a .958 OPS, trailing only Yordan Alvarez at 1.031 and Juan Soto at .975. He’s also second with 60 runs scored, though he’s 13 behind James Wood there.

It was a surprise that the Dodgers felt the need to add Lauer last month after a miserable start to his season in Toronto, but he’s more than justified their faith in going 3-0 with a 3.88 ERA in six outings. He’s given up six homers and nine walks in 34 1/3 innings for the Dodgers. He allowed 11 homers and 16 walks while amassing a 6.69 ERA in 36 1/3 innings before the Jays cut him. Lauer figures to start again Sunday versus the Padres.