MLB Player News

Hjerpe is expected to work as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Kyle Leahy in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Since being called up from Triple-A Memphis on Sept. 6, Hjerpe has made all three of his appearances to date as part of a piggyback tandem with Leahy, whose workload the Cardinals are deliberately looking to keep in check as the season winds down. The rookie left-hander has had mixed results thus far, going 1-0 with a 12:6 K:BB while yielding six earned runs and giving up four hits across nine innings.

Cruz gave up a run on three hits over 1.1 innings Wednesday, recording his first career save in a 4-2 win over the Tigers. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander topped out at 100 mph with his sinker as he gets another chance to establish himself as a high-leverage option for the Nationals. Acquired from the Yankees at the trade deadline, Cruz has struggled in his first exposure to big-league hitters this season, and through 9.2 innings for the Nats he's stumbled to a 7.45 ERA, 2.17 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB. He has some of the best pure stuff on the staff, however, and is working on adding a splitter to his repertoire as a weapon against lefties. Cruz could have a very prominent spot in Washington's bullpen plans next year.

Dion (2-2) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over two relief innings. He struck out four.

Brad Lord took on the largest workload during a bullpen day for the Nationals, tossing 3.1 scoreless frames ahead of Dion, but the southpaw was the pitcher of record when his team broke open a scoreless tie with a three-run sixth inning. Dion has been a versatile option since being acquired from the Guardians at the trade deadline, and over 14 appearances (one start) and 28 innings for the Nats he's produced a 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB with two wins, a save and a hold.

Loaisiga earned the save after allowing one hit and one walk over a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies.

Loaisiga was handed a two-run lead and made things interesting before closing out Arizona's victory. Colorado eventually put runners at second and third with two outs, but the right-hander escaped without allowing either to score after retiring Ezequiel Tovar on a popout to first to end the game. The scoreless frame not only lowered Loaisiga's ERA to 2.22 and kept the Diamondbacks' slim playoff chances alive, but it also marked the right-hander's sixth consecutive scoreless outing. Loaisiga has given up just two earned runs over his last 16 appearances and 17.2 innings, posting a pristine 0.51 ERA with a 11:1 K:BB over that stretch.

Megill earned the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Megill made quick work of the Phillies, as he retired the side on just 11 pitches to notch his 30th save this season, matching his career high. Overall, Megill sports a 2.67 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP and 68:15 K:BB across 60.2 innings this year.

The Padres designated Jacob for assignment Wednesday.

After turning in a 5.58 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 61.1 innings at Triple-A El Paso, Jacob will lose his place on San Diego's 40-man roster to clear space for Jason Adam (shoulder), who returned from the 60-day IL on Wednesday. Jacob's career numbers in the majors are respectable (4.18 ERA, 1.23 WHIP), though his poor performance in the minors may deter other teams from claiming him off waivers.

The Padres optioned Canning to the Arizona Complex League on Wednesday.

Canning owns a 5.57 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 85.2 innings with the Padres this season but has given up just one earned run while striking out 14 batters over his last 14.2 innings. Despite his improved performance, he'll be pushed out of San Diego's bullpen to make room for Jason Adam (shoulder), who returned from the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The Padres reinstated Adam (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Adam has been held out of action since late June by a strained right shoulder, but he'll return in time to give the Padres' bullpen extra support as they push toward securing a wild-card spot. The 35-year-old righty held a 2.51 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 32.1 innings when he got injured, but the Padres may refrain from using him in high-leverage situations right away after he allowed nine earned runs in just 1.1 innings during his rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso.

The Dodgers optioned Hurt to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

Hurt pitched two shutout innings during his appearance Tuesday against the Padres but will now be sent back to the minors to make room for Tarik Skubal, who returned from the bereavement list Wednesday. Assuming Hurt has thrown is last pitch in the majors this season, he'll close out 2026 with a 4.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 58:23 K:BB over 45.2 innings.

The Mets designated Curry for assignment Wednesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

After being optioned to Triple-A last week, Curry will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster as well to make room for Philip Abner, who was claimed off waivers from San Francisco on Wednesday. Curry has appeared in nine games for the Mets this season, turning in a 5.48 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 21.1 innings.