MLB Player News

Bender (shin) was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a stress reaction in his right shin. He remains without a definitive timeline to return to Miami's bullpen, though his return to activity is certainly a positive sign.

Halvorsen (shoulder) threw live batting practice Thursday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Halvorsen is on the mend from shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list July 4. He's started to make significant progress after receiving a cortisone injection, and the Rockies are optimistic that he'll be able to begin a rehab assignment in the near future. A more definitive timeline for his return to Colorado's bullpen will likely emerge once he begins pitching in minor-league games.

The Cardinals selected Blewett's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Blewett exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cards earlier in the week, though St. Louis still held the right to decide whether to add him to their 40-man roster or allow him to walk in free agency. With JoJo Romero (appendicitis) now on the injured list, the team will opt for the former and give Blewett a chance to work with the big club. The 30-year-old righty has put up a 5.18 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 48.2 innings at Triple-A this season, so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors.

The Cardinals placed Romero on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to appendicitis.

Romero has been one of the most reliable members of St. Louis' bullpen as of late, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out nine batters and walking four across his last 10 innings, but he'll now have to wait until at least July 29 to make his first appearance of the second half. Scott Blewett will come up from Triple-A Memphis to fill the vacancy in the bullpen.

Hall (pectoral) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall reached up to 95-to-96 mph with his fastball in the session and threw all of his pitches. The left-hander could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Sunday and believes he will be ready to rejoin the Milwaukee bullpen after making 2-to-3 rehab appearances in the minors. Hall has been shelved since early June with a left pectoral strain.

Suarez (elbow) played catch on the field at Truist Park on Friday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Suarez landed on the 15-day injured list nearly one month ago due to right elbow inflammation. He will need to complete mound work and throw to hitters before perhaps going out on a rehab assignment prior to his activation. A clearer picture regarding a return timeline for the setup man should become available as he continues his throwing progression.

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

He's being dispatched to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for Lance McCullers. Koenig was roughed up for five runs without recording an out in his final appearance before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Pirates.

Holmes (fibula) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday.

Holmes has been ramping his throwing program up and has been cleared to try things out in a game. The veteran hurler posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 52.2 innings before going down in mid-May with a fractured right fibula. Holmes is a trade candidate and should be able to return to make at least one start before the Aug. 3 deadline.

Martinez (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session soon, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Martinez has been progressing with his bullpen sessions and is nearly ready to face hitters for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. If he continues his recovery at his current pace, Martinez could be ready to rejoin the Arizona bullpen sometime in August.

Williams secured the save Thursday against the Phillies, throwing a clean ninth inning with one strikeout.

After blowing back-to-back saves going into the All-Star break, Williams got back on track Thursday and recorded career save No. 100 in the process. The 31-year-old right-hander, who has remained New York's closer despite shaky results in 2026, could see his hold on the ninth-inning role strengthen if the Mets choose to eventually offload setup man Luke Weaver, who's a rumored trade candidate ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline. Through 32.2 innings, Williams has a 4.68 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 45:19 K:BB with 14 saves in 17 chances.