MLB Player News

Mayza will serve as the opener for the Phillies in Friday's game against the Mets, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mayza will likely handle the first inning before Jose Urquidy takes over in bulk relief. The left-hander has been excellent this season when used as an opener, allowing just one run with a 10:1 K:BB over 9.1 frames.

The Phillies optioned Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

He's clearing off the active roster to make space for waiver claim Jose Urquidy. Backhus had been recalled earlier this week and did not make an appearance during his most recent stint in the majors.

The Brewers recalled Gordon from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

The Brewers needed a fresh relief arm after their bullpen was needed for 6.1 innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. Gordon will be on five days' rest after throwing 5.2 innings and 97 pitches in a start for Nashville last Saturday, so he'll be available for plenty of length, if needed.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Stallings fanned six over three shutout innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. Because he wouldn't have been available to pitch for at least a day or two, the Brewers are replacing him on the roster with a fresh bullpen arm.

The Reds placed Garcia on the 15-day injured list Friday with loose bodies in his right elbow.

Per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati, Garcia will undergo surgery, which shouldn't affect his readiness for spring training. The 31-year-old has had a nice rookie season out of the Reds' bullpen, logging a 3.13 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB over 46 frames.

The Athletics optioned Rock to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Rock spent the previous three days with the big club and was touched up for two runs on one hit and two walks while failing to record an out in Thursday's 10-1 loss to the Rays. Mason Barnett has been recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Athletics recalled Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Barnett will start Friday's game against Cleveland, and Joe Rock has been optioned to Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Barnett has appeared in 18 games with the Athletics this season, making four starts, and owns an ugly 7.08 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 38:24 K:BB across 40.2 innings. He's started each of his last four appearances with the club and has functioned as a starter in Triple-A, so Barnett should be stretched out.

The Orioles optioned Heuer to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

With Baltimore recalled Cade Povich to make Friday's start against Milwaukee, Heuer will head back to Norfolk. The right-hander didn't enter a game over four days with Baltimore during his latest stint in the majors.

Seabold (lat) struck out one across a perfect inning with Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Entering in the eighth inning, Seabold retired the side in order on just 10 pitches (seven strikes). The right-hander has yet to allow a run across three innings with Triple-A Omaha while working back from a right lat strain. At the big-league level in 2026, Seabold owns a 5.25 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB in 24 innings.

Espino is slated to serve as the Guardians' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Athletics, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Espino will draw his second start in less than a week, but he's not expected to cover more than an inning or two before giving way to the bullpen. Lefty Joey Cantillo is available on five days' rest and is expected to work in bulk relief behind Espino.