MLB Player News

Bender (back) resumed playing catch from 60 feet Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender had been throwing bullpen sessions as recently as mid-June, but he appears to have regressed in his recovery from the back injury at some point over the past three weeks. Though the right-hander is at least throwing again in some capacity, he still has several more hurdles to clear before the Marlins will entertain bringing him back from the 15-day injured list. Bender doesn't look on pace to be activated before the All-Star break.

The Reds transferred Santillan (back) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move guarantees Santillan will return from his back strain no sooner than mid-August, though manager David Bell speculated the reliever might not be activated until September, per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Prior to landing on the shelf with al lower-back strain, Santillan struggled to the tune of a 5.49 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 19.2 innings, but he could still see high-leverage work once healthy.

The Reds claimed Gibaut off waivers from the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Gibaut finds a new home two days after the Dodgers designated him for assignment. Since he doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, Gibaut will likely fill a low-leverage role out of Cincinnati's bullpen after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings June 27, which was his first and only 2022 big-league appearance to date.

White will not make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear whether the righty is hurt, or if the Dodgers just want to add an arm (Ryan Pepiot) to the rotation to give the rest of the starters an extra day of rest. White has a 3.93 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 34.1 innings this season.

Bickford earned a hold against Colorado on Monday, pitching a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

After Dodgers starter Julio Urias allowed just one run over six frames, Bickford took over for the seventh inning. The right-hander began his outing with a strikeout and set the side down in order on 15 pitches. Bickford allowed four runs across two-thirds of an inning in a poor outing against Cincinnati on June 23, but around that blowup he's notched seven scoreless outings during which he's posted an 8:0 K:BB over seven frames.

Morejon (shoulder) will join Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Assuming the Padres are keeping Morejon in the bullpen, the lefty doesn't figure to need more than one or two rehab appearances before being activated. Morejon allowed two earned runs in 4.2 innings of relief before going on the injured list June 23 with shoulder inflammation.

Scott pitched two innings against the Mariners on Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out four.

Scott played in Japan in 2020 and 2021 before signing a minor-league contract with San Diego this February. He was called up from Triple-A on Sunday and made his Padres debut Monday. The right-hander began his outing impressively, retiring the first five batters he faced and striking out the side in the fifth inning. However, a Manny Machado error in the top of the sixth threw Scott off track, and he was able to retire only one batter in that frame while allowing three runs to cross the plate. Scott threw 49 pitches in the appearance, so he's unlikely to be called upon again for at least a few days.

Hudson (6-5) took the loss during Monday's 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Braves, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks with two strikeouts in four innings.

Hudson fell behind early and St. Louis was unable to rebound, as he permitted one run on two hits in the first inning and five runs on six baserunners in the second. The 27-year-old has seen his ERA rise after each of his last five starts -- increasing from 2.76 to 4.29 -- while also posting the worst K/BB of the 64 qualified starters at 1.18 thanks to 46 strikeouts and 39 free passes in 84 frames. Hudson will look to get back on track in his next start, which tentatively lines up for this weekend against Philadelphia.

Smith saved Monday's 6-3 victory over the Cardinals, allowing one hit and two walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Smith entered in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead and made things interesting by loading the bases with one out and the heart of St. Louis' lineup due up, but he was able to retire Nolan Arenado and Albert Pujols to secure the win. The 32-year-old has recorded three saves while Kenley Jansen's been shelved with a chest injury and should continue to function as the closer for at least another week with Jansen targeting a July 12 return.

Manaea (3-4) took the loss during Monday's 8-2 defeat at the hands of the Mariners, allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Manaea surrendered four baserunners and two runs in the first inning then another five and two in the fourth before being pulled with one out and the bases loaded. Reliever Tayler Scott was able to escape the jam; however, Manaea still tied his season low with a 27 game score. The 30-year-old found the zone with 38 of his 71 pitches and induced just four swinging strikes in tying another season worst with three strikeouts. Manaea carries a 4.18 ERA into his next start, projected to come early next week in Colorado.