MLB Player News

Bednar is dealing with a lower-back issue and is unavailable Tuesday against the Nationals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Manager Derek Shelton said they are hoping to avoid an injured list stint for the back issue that Bednar has been dealing with, which had gone unreported until now. Two of Bednar's three blown saves have come in his last three appearances, and he has given up three runs while striking out seven in 3.2 innings over that stretch. It's unclear who would be next up behind Bednar, but Wil Crowe and Chris Stratton seem like potential options.

The Brewers optioned Kelley to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Kelley and utility man Pablo Reyes were sent back to the minors to clear room on the 26-man active roster for starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (hand) and second baseman Kolten Wong (calf), who were reinstated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener with the Rays. During his month-long stay with the Brewers, Kelley appeared in 13 games out of the bullpen and logged a 7.31 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 16 innings.

Jansen will still be able to throw bullpen sessions even after landing on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat, leaving Atlanta optimistic that he'll be ready to return around the minimum amount of time, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Jansen was first diagnosed with the irregular heartbeat in 2011 and missed time that season, as well as during the 2012 and 2018 campaigns after experiencing recurrences of the cardiac issue. When he was most recently sidelined with an irregular heartbeat in 2018, Jansen missed the minimum amount of time when MLB had a 10-day IL in place, and since he'll be able to keep throwing while he's on the shelf, Atlanta is hopeful the 34-year-old has a similarly brief absence this time around. While Jansen is out, Atlanta will likely turn to either A.J. Minter or Will Smith for save situations.

Minter and Will Smith are viewed as the top candidates to pick up saves for Atlanta after closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen has previously missed action during the 2011, 2012 and 2018 seasons on account of cardiac issues, so he'll likely need medical clearance from doctors before making his return from the IL following his latest recurrence of an irregular heartbeat. According to Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jansen will still able to throw bullpen sessions while he's on the shelf, leaving Atlanta optimistic that he'll be sidelined for only a brief period of time. However long Jansen is out, Minter could be thrust into the closer mix, even though Smith has more experience in the role and is coming off a 37-save campaign in 2021. However, with Smith's effectiveness having waned as he's moved into more of a setup role in 2022, manager Brian Snitker could be inclined to give a look in the ninth inning to Minter, who has arguably been Atlanta's best reliever this season. The lefty sports an outstanding 1.69 ERA and supports it with strong peripherals (31.7 K-BB%, 1.92 SIERA). He's also held his own against right-handed hitters, who have slashed a collective .238/.279/.338 against him while striking out 30 times in 87 plate appearances (34.4 percent).

Smith and A.J. Minter are viewed as the top candidates to pick up saves for Atlanta after closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen previously missed action during the 2011, 2012 and 2018 season on account of cardiac issues, so he'll likely need medical clearance from doctors before making his return from the IL following his latest recurrence of an irregular heartbeat. According to Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jansen will still able to throw bullpen sessions while he's on the shelf, leaving Atlanta optimistic that he'll be sidelined for only a brief period of time. Before Atlanta signed Jansen this winter, Smith was coming off a 37-save campaign, but his effectiveness has waned while he's moved into a setup role in 2022. Though he's still managed to pick up two saves this season, Smith has seen a sharp downturn in his strikeout rate and an uptick in his walk rate, with his 11.7 K-BB% representing his worse mark since 2012. That downturn in performance may not make Smith the clear top candidate for the closer's role, despite his ample experience in the ninth inning. Minter, meanwhile, has arguably been Atlanta's best reliever this season, as he sports an outstanding 1.69 ERA and supports it with strong peripherals (31.7 K-BB%, 1.92 SIERA).

Atlanta transferred Jackson's (lat) rehab assignment Tuesday from the rookie-level Florida Complex League to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Jackson heads to Gwinnett after he worked two innings between two appearances in the FCL on Thursday and Monday, with the right-hander giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and no walks while striking out one. Since he's been on the shelf all season with a right lat strain, Jackson will likely make multiple appearances at Gwinnett before Atlanta considers activating him from the 60-day injured list.

Atlanta placed Jansen on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat.

The cardiac concerns aren't anything new for Jansen, who was first diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in 2011. He ended up missing time that season and was also sidelined for periods of time in 2012 and 2018 after suffering recurrences of the irregular heartbeat. After undergoing a heart ablation procedure following the 2018 campaign, Jansen hadn't experienced any setbacks in three-plus years since before heading to the IL on Tuesday. Given Jansen's medical history, he'll likely need to pass a battery of tests from doctors before he's cleared to pitch again for Atlanta, leaving him without a clear timeline to return from the IL. Will Smith, who has scooped up two saves across 32 appearances this season, and A.J. Minter, who has been Atlanta's top reliever in 2022, are presumably first in line to close for Atlanta while Jansen is sidelined, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.

Finnegan allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save over Pittsburgh on Monday.

Finnegan worked around a two-out double by Josh VanMeter to finish off the 3-2 win. It was his first save of the season and he lowered his season ERA to 4.03 alongside a 35:10 K:BB through 32 appearances. Tanner Rainey pitched twice over the last three days so Finnegan likely isn't cutting into his role.

The Pirates recalled Kranick (elbow) from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed him on the 60-day injured list Monday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Kranick underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month and is set to miss the rest of the 2022 season and most of the 2023 campaign. His addition to the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster that the organization will look to fill at a later date.

Blach (wrist) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Blach spent just over the minimum of 15 days on the shelf and will rejoin the Rockies' bullpen prior to Monday's series opener against the Dodgers. He made just one rehab appearance at Triple-A Albuquerque and allowed four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out one in 1.2 innings.