MLB Player News

Suarez (elbow) faced live hitters Sunday, throwing 15 pitches and touching 98 mph with his fastball, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports. "I was very encouraged," manager Walt Weiss said afterward. "To be honest with you, I wasn't expecting that. I thought he kind of eased into it, but he let it go, and it was really good, and he felt really good afterwards."

The right-hander hasn't seen game action since June 19, but Suarez looks like he may be able to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen before the end of the regular season. He'll get in one more session against live hitters and could then be sent on a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett before the International League season ends next week. Suarez has a sparkling 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB through 32 innings this season with four wins, four saves and 12 holds in 31 appearances.

Atlanta re-signed Hernandez to a minor-league contract Monday, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Hernandez had elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment, but he's now returned to the organization on a new minor-league deal. The righty will provide experienced swingman depth down the stretch.

Atlanta designated Falter for assignment Monday.

Falter logged 3.1 scoreless innings covering two outings for Atlanta, but he's been jettisoned from the roster in favor of a fresh arm. Because he's making $3.6 million this season, the lefty is likely to clear waivers.

Atlanta recalled Murphy from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Murphy posted a 1.29 ERA over his last five starts with Gwinnett, though that came with just an 18:11 K:BB over 28 innings. He will provide length in the bullpen for Atlanta.

The Phillies optioned Holman to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Holman gave up five runs while recording just one out in his lone appearance for the Phillies this season, but his ERA is still 0.00 because all five of those runs were unearned. His spot in the bullpen was taken by Tanner Banks, who returned from the 60-day injured list.

The Phillies activated Banks (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Banks has been shelved since early July with a left forearm strain, but he was cleared to return after yielding one run with a 12:1 K:BB over seven rehab innings. The 34-year-old will give the Phillies another left-handed relief option.

Matsui picked up the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over San Francisco. He allowed a hit and no walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Entering with a two-run cushion, Matsui worked a scoreless ninth inning to secure his first save of the season and a sweep for San Diego. The southpaw has quietly put together a quality campaign with a 1.98 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB in 59 innings, though the closer role remains firmly in the hands of Mason Miller, who was presumably unavailable after pitching in both of the previous two games.

Latz picked up the save Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He allowed two runs on three hits and an intentional walk while striking out one over one inning.

Tasked with protecting a three-run lead, Latz played with fire by surrendering a pair of RBI doubles, though he ultimately shut the door and secured the victory. Sunday marked the southpaw's second save of September and 29th of the campaign in 32 attempts. Latz owns a strong 2.06 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB over 65.2 frames.

Munoz (5-6) blew the save and took the loss Sunday against the Athletics. He allowed two runs on two hits and no walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

With a one-run cushion, Munoz recorded a pair of outs in the eighth inning but was unable to secure the victory in the ninth frame, serving up a walk-off two-run homer to Lawrence Butler. Sunday marked the hard-throwing right-hander's 10th blown save, as he's endured a down 2026 campaign. In 55 innings, Munoz owns a 4.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 86:23 K:BB with 27 saves.

Chapman worked around two walks to earn the save Sunday against the Royals, striking out three in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman let the possible tying run get to the plate following a pair of free passes, but he punched out three in a row to hang on for the save. The star southpaw continues to roll, having not blown a save since June 28 against the Yankees. He has a 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB over 50.2 innings, collecting 34 saves in 36 opportunities.