MLB Player News

Rainey tossed a perfect ninth inning while striking out two on his way to his 12th save in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies.

Rainey made quick work of the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth frame, retiring them in order while striking out two on his way to his 12th save of the year. The closer produced a scoreless outing after he had allowed three runs over two frames in his last two appearances, including a blown save against Miami on Sunday. Rainey has now converted 12 of 16 save opportunities this season and owns a 3.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 36 punchouts over 28 innings in 28 appearances.

Brogdon (illness) rejoined the Phillies and threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Brogdon spent eight days in quarantine before he cleared COVID-19-related protocols and was allowed to report back to the Philadelphia clubhouse. Depending on how he felt from a conditioning standpoint coming out of Tuesday's side session, Brogdon could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list as soon as Thursday.

Robertson pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Robertson blew the save Monday but looked much sharper in his first outing since then. The four blown saves in 16 chances are about the only negative for the veteran this year. Robertson now has a sparkling 1.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 45 strikeouts across 33.1 innings this season. A number of contending teams will likely call the Cubs and ask about the righty before the trade deadline next month.

Diaz (biceps) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

On tap next for Diaz should be a brief minor-league rehab assignment before he returns from the 15-day injured list. Hunter Strickland has seemingly built some security as the Reds' primary closer while Diaz has been sidelined with right biceps tendinitis, but Diaz should still have a high-leverage role in the bullpen waiting for him once he's activated.

Ferguson (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Ferguson has been sidelined the past few weeks by forearm tendinitis, and he'll rejoin the Dodgers without requiring a minor-league rehab assignment. The left-hander has made only six appearances this season and has yet to allow a run with a 5:4 K:BB across five innings.

Harvey (forearm) will report to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday to continue his minor-league rehab assignment, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Harvey began his rehab assignment last week with the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Coast League affiliate, and he's now ready to move up to Triple-A. The right-hander has been on the injured list with a pronator strain in his right arm since April 21, so he'll likely require a handful of outings with Rochester to get back up to speed.

Adon will be called up from Triple-A Rochester to start Thursday's game against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Adon was sent to the minors June 21 and allowed an unearned run while striking out three in five innings a day later. However, he hasn't pitched since then due to a planned break, so he should be fully rested when he takes the mound Thursday. The right-hander has posted a 6.97 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 60.2 innings over 13 major-league starts this year.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that the team envisions Mears (elbow) playing catch in the coming days, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mears has been shut down for two weeks after he experienced right forearm tightness following a rehab start at Triple-A Indianapolis in June. However, the right-hander had his rehab transferred to the Pirates' alternate spring training facility in Florida and is close to resuming a throwing program. Once he's ultimately cleared to resume throwing, Mears will presumably need to build his workload back up following his shutdown.

Peters (back) will make another rehab appearance at Triple-A Indianapolis, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Peters began his rehab assignment June 28 and has allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out three in four innings over three appearances in Indianapolis. The southpaw will make at least one more outing in the minors before the Pirates determine whether he's ready to return.

Kimbrel had a CT scan on his back come back clean, and he'll be available to pitch Wednesday against Colorado, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel was struck by a line drive Sunday and has not pitched since then, but he received good news from the CT scan and appears to be ready to return to the mound. Brusdar Graterol picked up his second career save in Kimbrel's stead Tuesday, but it will likely be Kimbrel handling ninth-inning duties if a save opportunity arises Wednesday. Ardaya previously reported that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is "not even considering" moving the veteran Kimbrel -- who has blown two of his past three save chances -- out of the closer role.