MLB Player News

Hughes (knee) is scheduled to throw again in a simulated setting Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hughes made it through a round of live batting practice Sunday without issue and is ready take another step in his recovery from left knee inflammation. It sounds like he could join the Cubs' bullpen sometime next week if all continues to go smoothly. The left-hander might be in line for some save opportunities as the 2023 season rolls along.

Uceta was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Tuesday.

This move opens up a 40-man roster spot for Tyler Heineman, who is up to help fill in for Austin Hedges (concussion) behind the plate. Uceta had just been claimed off waivers from the Tigers on Sunday.

The Marlins selected Castano's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Castano will jump in the Miami bullpen beginning with Tuesday's game against the Twins. He posted a 4.04 ERA and 20:9 K:BB over 35.2 major-league innings in 2022.

Bard, who is currently on the 15-day injured list while he experiences anxiety, remains with the Rockies and threw a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

While Rockies manager Bud Black didn't offer a hint about when Bard might be back from the IL, the skipper noted that the right-hander's fastball reached 96 miles per hour in the session, only a couple ticks behind his average velocity in 2022. Black didn't go into specifics about how Bard's pitches looked from a control and command standpoint, however, which is noteworthy after the Rockies' projected closer struggled with locating his offerings and repeating his delivery during spring training and the World Baseball Classic. Bard notably battled the "yips" for a significant chunk of the seasons in his late 20s and early 30s before resurfacing in the majors in 2020 as a 35-year-old and becoming the Rockies' closer, so the organization is likely to proceed slowly with reintegrating him into games until both he and the coaching staff feel he's ready for the challenge. In Bard's absence, Pierce Johnson has converted the Rockies' lone save opportunity to date.

Moore had his contract selected by the Phillies on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old right-hander is joining the Phillies' bullpen mix ahead of Tuesday night's game at Yankee Stadium, replacing Yunior Marte. Moore will be making his MLB debut whenever he makes his first appearance for the reigning NL champs.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley by the Phillies on Tuesday.

Marte had surrendered six earned runs through just one inning (two appearances) out of the Phillies' bullpen this season. McKinley Moore is up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take his spot.

Weathers did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Arizona. He struck out two.

Weathers struggled in the second inning, allowing the first three hitters to reach, but he was able to mitigate the damage by inducing a double play. Outside of the two runs he surrendered in the second, Weathers was sharp and allowed just three baserunners over his other four innings. Weathers struggled mightily at Triple-A El Paso last year and made just one MLB start, but if he continues to pitch like this, he figures to remain in the Padres rotation until Joe Musgrove (toe) is cleared to return.

Mantiply (shoulder) has thrown two bullpen sessions since opening the season on the 15-day injured list, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Mantiply is eligible to come off the IL on April 11. The left-hander was a key piece of the bullpen last season but isn't currently considered a closer candidate for 2023, although he's expected to be used in the final third of games.

Ginkel believes he might have tipped his pitches Saturday against the Dodgers and plans to make adjustments, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Images posted by Eno Sarris of The Athletic appeared to show patterns in Ginkel's right wrist and arms indicating when he'd throw a slider or fastball. "It definitely makes it easier for them if they know what's coming," Ginkel said. "It's a totally different outing if that doesn't happen. I'll make some adjustments today." The reliever allowed three runs on two hits, including a home run to Trayce Thompson, in a 10-1 loss.

McGough (0-1) was tagged with Monday's loss after allowing two runs on two hits without retiring a batter in a 5-4 loss to the Padres.

McGough, looking to earn a second save in as many games, served up back-to-back home runs to David Dahl and Ha-Seong Kim, turning a potential comeback win into a crushing walkoff loss. "You just try to keep level-headed, come back to work tomorrow," he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The scene was a throwback to 2022 when the Diamondbacks were walked off 11 times and suffered 41 relief losses, both tied for most in the majors. McGough has been through this rodeo before -- as a high-leverage reliever in Japan -- and knows how to bounce back.