MLB Player News

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bednar (back) should be ready to begin a throwing program later this week or early next week, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Bednar was recently cleared to begin plyometric work, and if his back continues to respond well over the next couple of days, he should be ready to start playing catch. He'll then gradually ramp up the intensity and distance of his throwing before eventually graduating to bullpen sessions and then live batting practice. As a reliever, Bednar won't require an extensive buildup program, but Pittsburgh's closer is still probably at least a week away from making his return from the 15-day injured list.

Graterol (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City and could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Dodgers' three-game series against the Marlins this weekend, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol began the rehab assignment with Oklahoma City last week, and pitching on back-to-back days may be the final hurdle before he rejoins the big-league roster. The 24-year-old has three saves and nine holds with a 3.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB across 40.1 innings this season, and he could factor into the ninth-inning mix down the stretch if closer Craig Kimbrel continues to struggle.

Littell (oblique) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Littell sustained a left oblique strain in early July and spent just over a month on the injured list, but he was in the minors on a rehab assignment for two and a half weeks. The right-hander posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 6.2 innings over seven rehab appearances and will rejoin the Giants' bullpen ahead of Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Kelley was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Kelley was sent to Nashville in early July, and he posted a 3.21 ERA, 19:4 K:BB and 1.07 WHIP in 14 innings over 14 appearances following his demotion. However, he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen and should serve mainly as a middle reliever after Jason Alexander was sent down Wednesday.

Pomeranz (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, per MLB.com.

Pomeranz has been taking part in game action for nearly two weeks, logging four appearances between the Arizona Complex League, Single-A Lake Elsinore and Triple-A El Paso. He's struggled a bit in those outings, giving up a total of four runs over 3.2 innings. However, he's also struck out six batters and hasn't suffered any setbacks. The Padres are hopeful that Pomeranz will be able to give their bullpen a significant boost down the stretch.

Garcia (4-6) was tagged with the loss against Miami on Tuesday as the result of allowing a run on two hits in one inning. He struck out one batter.

Garcia entered in the seventh inning with the score tied 3-3. He allowed a leadoff single followed by a one-out double that plated a run. Garcia bounced back to retire the next two batters, but the damage was enough to send him to his sixth loss. Despite that outcome, Garcia has been one of San Diego's most reliable bullpen arms this season, racking up 19 holds, two saves and four victories over 45 appearances.

Vasquez was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Wednesday.

Vasquez was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Monday but will land a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster. He'll report to Triple-A Sacramento to begin his time with his new organization. The 28-year-old has made 14 relief appearances at the Triple-A level this year and has posted a 2.40 ERA and 0.60 WHIP in 15 innings.

Farmer was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday.

Farmer has been effective over five appearances since the start of August, picking up a win and a hold while striking out seven in 5.2 scoreless innings. However, he'll spend between three and seven days away from the team after landing on the bereavement list. The move makes room on the active roster for Art Warren (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday after the team's 5-4 loss to the Brewers in 11 innings that Kimbrel will retain the closing gig despite blowing his fourth save of the season, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kimbrel was also dealt his fifth loss of the season after yielding two runs (one earned) and recording just one out Tuesday, which marked the third consecutive appearance in which he yielded an earned run. Though he's arguably the top closer of his generation, the 34-year-old Kimbrel has been one of the few squeaky wheels on an otherwise stacked roster for the 80-35 Dodgers. He now sports a 4.57 ERA and 1.55 WHIP on the season, and if not for his extensive closing experience, Kimbrel may have been removed from the role already. Kimbrel looks like he'll get at least another chance or two to right the ship, but fantasy managers preparing for a possible change at closer down the line may want to look to setup man Evan Phillips, who has gathered one save and 11 holds while turning in an 0.32 ERA and 0.61 WHIP for the Dodgers since the beginning of June.

Suter (4-3) tossed a scoreless 11th inning and picked up the win in Tuesday's victory over the Dodgers.

Suter allowed the Dodgers to take the lead in the top of the 11th, but he limited them to one run and wound up with the win when the Brewers pushed two runs across in the bottom of the frame. Suter has recorded three wins since the All-Star break, and although he allowed a run in three of his last four appearances, he owns a 1.86 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 9.2 innings over eight second-half appearances.