The Toronto Blue Jays have reinstated RHP Rafael Dolis from the 10-day injured list (right middle finger strain) and he will be active for today’s game. To make room on the active roster, LHP Nick Allgeyer has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
Cubs activate INF Nico Hoerner from 10-day IL; INF Sergio Alcántara optioned to Triple-A Iowa
CINCINNATI – The Chicago Cubs today activated infielder Nico Hoerner from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Sergio Alcántara to Triple-A Iowa.
Hoerner, 23, landed on the 10-day injured list, May 26, with a left hamstring strain. He hit safely in all four injury rehabilitation games he played with Iowa, June 27-July 2, batting 4-for-14 (.286) with a RBI.
This season with Chicago, Hoerner has batted .338 (25-for-74) with seven doubles, nine RBI and an .837 OPS in 21 games, making 15 starts at second base, four starts at shortstop and one start in left field. Hoerner last season made his first Opening Day roster and hit .222 (24-for-108) with four doubles and 13 RBI in 48 contests with the Cubs.
Originally selected by Chicago in the first round (24th overall) of the 2018 draft out of Stanford University, Hoerner was the first member of the 2018 MLB draft class to make his major league debut when he was promoted from Double-A Tennessee, September 9, 2019. In 20 games for Chicago in 2019, Hoerner hit .282 (22-for-78) with one double, one triple, three homers and 17 RBI.
Alcántara, 24, is hitting .179 (12-for-67) with three doubles, three triples, two home runs and four RBI in 30 games for the Cubs this season.
Pirates Roster move
The Pirates have recalled RHP Nick Mears from Triple-A Indianapolis and have optioned RHP Cody Ponce to Indianapolis.
This will be the second stint in the Majors for Mears this season. He was with the Pirates from May 26-30, but did not appear in a game.
Mears most recently pitched Thursday (7/1) vs. Iowa and picked up the win after striking out three batters and allowing one unearned run in 2.0 innings of work in Indy’s 7-6 victory in 12 innings.
Mears made four appearances with the Pirates during the 2020 season (5.0ip/4h/3r/3er/7bb/7so).
Mears will be wearing uniform #36
In addition, RHP Luis Oviedo is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Indianapolis today.
Match Recap: Philadelphia Union 0, Nashville SC 1
Daniel Gazdag earns his first start for Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. – The Union took on Nashville SC on the road, Saturday night, falling 1-0. With the loss, the Union remain in third place in the Eastern Conference with 19 points. In the first half, former Union striker C.J. Sapong opened the scoring in the second minute to give Nashville the lead. The Union created many chances but couldn’t find the back of the net against a very disciplined Nashville defense. The lone goal was enough to get a shutout win against the Union, ending their eight-game unbeaten streak. Midfielder Daniel Gazdag earned his first start for the Union after making a pair of appearances since his arrival in May.
The Union are on the road at Red Bull Arena on Thursday where they will play the New York Red Bulls (8:00 p.m. ET / PHL17).
Philadelphia Union 0 – Nashville SC 1
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN)
Saturday, July 3, 2021
TODAY’S MATCH INFO
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Jason White, Gjovalin Bori
Fourth Official: Alyssa Nichols
VAR: Ismir Pekmic
Ast. VAR: Eric Weisbrod
Weather: 80 degrees and Sunny
GOALS/ASSISTS
NSH – C.J. Sapong (Leal) 2’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Jose Martinez (caution) 79’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, Olivier Mbaizo; Leon Flach (Quinn Sullivan 82’), Jamiro Monteiro, Dániel Gazdag (José Martínez 56’), Alejandro Bedoya; Kacper Przybylko, Cory Burke (Sergio Santos 56’)
Substitutes not used: Aurélien Collin, Alvas Powell, Stuart Findlay, Matthew Real, Matthew Freese, Jack Mcglynn
Nashville SC: Joe Willis; Dave Romney, Jack Maher, Daniel Lovitz, Walker Zimmerman; Brian Anunga (Aníbal Godoy 46’), Dax McCarty, Randall Leal (Luke Haakenson 87’), Alistair Johnston (Alex Muyl 46’), Hany Mukhtar (Abu Danladi 90’); C.J. Sapong (Jhonder Cádiz 83’)
Substitutes not used: Bryan Meredith, Jalil Anibaba, Daniel Rios, Taylor Washington
TEAM NOTES
Right back Olivier Mbaizo made his 30th career appearances for the Union with the start.
Left back Kai Wagner earned his 55th MLS regular season start for Philly.
Midfielder Daniel Gazdag earned his first start for Philadelphia Union after making a pair of appearances since his arrival in May.
Team captain Alejandro Bedoya returned to the Starting XI tonight for his 135th appearance for the Boys in Blue.
Jamiro Monteiro earned his 60th MLS regular season appearance with the start.
The Union are on the road at Red Bull Arena on Thursday where they will play the New York Red Bulls (8:00 p.m. ET / PHL17).
Dodgers recall RHP Edwin Uceta
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Edwin Uceta and optioned right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Uceta, 23, returns for his fifth stint with the Dodgers and has appeared in eight games for the Dodgers this season, tossing 14.1 innings, allowing 10 earned runs on 114 hits with 16 strikeouts. In four games with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, he is 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA (7 ER/12.2 IP) and 16 strikeouts. The Dominican Republic native has been with the Dodgers organization since signing as international free agent on July 2, 2016. In parts of six minor league seasons, he has posted a 20-14 record with a 3.77 ERA (144 ER/343.2 IP) and 378 strikeouts.
Graterol, 22, appeared in two games since being recalled on Saturday afternoon, allowing one unearned run in 2.2 innings with two strikeouts. In total, he has appeared in five games for the Dodgers this season, allowing three runs in 4.0 innings with three strikeouts. The Venezuelan native has spent parts of the three Major League seasons, going 3-3 with a 3.89 ERA (16 ER/37.0 IP) and 26 strikeouts. He was originally acquired by the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins on February 10, 2020 along with Luke Raley in exchange for Kenta Maeda and minor league Jair Camargo.
Texas Rangers recall RHP Dennis Santana from Round Rock
Option LHP Wes Benjamin to Round Rock after Friday’s game; RHP Shaun Anderson claimed on waivers by Baltimore
Seattle, WA – The Texas Rangers today announced that right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana has been recalled from Round Rock (Triple-A West). Santana (#56) will be in uniform for tonight’s game in Seattle.
To make room on the active roster, left-handed pitcher Wes Benjamin was optioned to Round Rock after Friday’s game.
The 25-year-oid Santana pitched 4.0 scoreless innings (0 H/1 BB, 9 SO) in four relief appearances for the Express since being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Kelvin Bautista on June 17. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on June 12. Santana opened the season with the Dodgers and posted a 6.00 ERA (10 ER/15.0 IP) in a career-high 16 relief appearances before being optioned to Oklahoma City on May 26.He made three starts for the Triple-A Dodgers with no decisions, allowing 6 ER in 5.1 innings before his trade to Texas.
Santana is 2-2 with a 6.42 ERA in 32 career relief outings with Los Angeles from 2018-21, averaging 8.0 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.
Benjamin, who had pitched just once for Texas since his latest recall on June 23, is 0-2, 8.10 in seven appearances/one start over four stints with the Rangers in 2021.
In addition, right-handed pitcher Shaun Anderson was received on a waiver claim by the Baltimore Orioles. Anderson had been claimed on waivers by Texas from the Minnesota Twins on June 18 and optioned to Round Rock. He was designated for assignment on June 29.
With today’s moves, the Rangers’ Major League roster remains at the 40-man limit.
Washington Nationals announce roster moves
The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements:
Acquired infielder Alcides Escobar from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations and selected him to the active roster
Designated infielder Humberto Arteaga for assignment
Recalled catcher Tres Barrera from Triple-A Rochester
Recalled outfielder Yadiel Hernandez from Triple-A Rochester
Placed catcher Alex Avila on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to July 2) with bilateral calf strains
Placed outfielder Kyle Schwarber on the 10-day Injured List with a right hamstring strain
Escobar, 34, joins the Nationals after hitting .274 with seven doubles, five homers, 16 RBI, six walks, two stolen bases and 23 runs scored in 35 games for Triple-A Omaha in Kansas City’s Minor League system. He played shortstop (24 G), second base (8 G) and third base (2 G).
Escobar returns to the Major Leagues for the first time since 2018 when he appeared in 140 games for the Royals. He was a member of the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals. He was named an American League All-Star and a Gold Glove winner during that 2015 season.
Escobar spent the 2020 season with the Yakult Swallows of the Japan Central League where he hit .273 with 14 doubles, two triples, one homer, 30 RBI, 13 walks, six stolen bases and 27 runs scored in 104 games.
Barrera, 26, joins the Nationals for the second time this season, making one start on April 7 vs. Atlanta. He hit .224 with five doubles, three homers, 14 RBI, 17 walks and 11 runs scored in 37 games for Triple-A Rochester.
Hernandez, 33, hit .309 with two doubles, five homers, 12 RBI, five walks and nine runs scored for Triple-A Rochester. He joined them on July 12 after appearing in 42 games for the Nationals in his first stint with the club this season.
Arteaga, 27, appeared in one game for the Nationals, going 0-for-3 with one RBI on July 2 vs. Los Angeles (NL).
Avila, 34, is hitting .167 with six doubles, one triple, six RBI, 17 walks and four runs scored in 24 games.
Schwarber, 28, was recently named National League Player of the Month for June after hitting 16 home runs during the month. He ranks in the National League in home runs (2nd, 25), slugging percentage (5th, .570), RBI (T5th, 53) and OPS (7th, .910).
Please see the attached document for the updated 26-man and 40-man rosters.
Royals trade infielder Kelvin Gutierrez to Baltimore for cash considerations
KANSAS CITY, MO. – The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have traded infielder Kelvin Gutierrez to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.
Gutierrez, 26, appeared in 38 games with the Royals this season, batting .215 with four doubles, two triples, a homer and eight RBI, after being recalled on May 14. He was designated for assignment on June 28.
He made his Major League debut with Kansas City in 2019, appearing in 20 games during his first big league campaign and recorded 11 RBI, including at least one in eight of his first 11 contests. He was limited to just four games with the Royals in 2020 due to injury.
Pirates Roster moves
Outfielder Ka’ai Tom has been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 7/2) due to a low back strain and RHP Kyle Keller has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Keller made three appearances with the Pirates during his first stint with the club from 5/15-25 (3.1ip/3er).
In 13 games with Indy this season, Keller has gone 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA (18.1ip/13h/4r/4er/3bb/31so).
In addition, the Pirates have acquired first baseman John Nogowski from St. Louis in exchange for cash considerations.
He was designated for assignment by St. Louis on 6/28.
The 28-year-old Nogowski began the season with the Cardinals and went 1-for-17 as a pinch hitter. He also went hitless in one at bat while making three appearances at first base. The right-handed hitter was on the injured list from 4/23 to 5/18 with a bone bruise on his left hand.
Nogowski made his Major League debut with the Cardinals last year on 8/16 and went 1-for-4 in his start at first base.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Nogowski, RHP Geoff Hartlieb has been designated for assignment.
A’s select LHP Moll from Triple-A Las Vegas; option RHP Acevedo to Las Vegas
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s selected left-handed pitcher Sam Moll from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned right-handed pitcher Domingo Acevedo to Las Vegas, the club announced today. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated right-handed pitcher Jordan Weems for assignment.
Moll was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday in a minor league deal for cash considerations after compiling a 5.82 ERA and .226 opponents batting average in 21 relief appearances for Triple-A Reno. He struck out 30 batters in 21.2 innings but also walked 15. The 29-year-old left-hander has limited left-handed hitters to a .116 batting average. Moll has appeared in 11 games in the majors, all with Oakland in 2017, logging a 10.80 ERA and .406 opponents batting average. In eight seasons in the minors, he has posted a 12-15 record and a 3.49 ERA in 228 games.
Acevedo was selected from Las Vegas June 21 and appeared in three games with Oakland. He allowed three runs on five hits and no walks in 3.0 innings and struck out three. Acevedo has a 2.76 ERA and .169 opponents batting average in 15 games with the Aviators.
Weems had a 6.23 ERA and .133 opponents batting average in five relief appearances over three stints with the A’s this year. He did not pitch during his most recent stay from May 28-29. Weems is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA and .293 opponents average in 15 outings with Las Vegas.
