MLB Player News

Littell (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Littell landed on the injured list April 26 and reportedly experienced mild symptoms. Prior to being sidelined, he had not allowed an earned run across six innings while striking out five and walking none in a relief role.

Nance was recalled by the Marlins on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance began the season in the minors and tossed 4.2 scoreless innings over three appearances (one start). The right-hander made 27 relief appearances for the Cubs last year and will now provide bullpen assistance for Miami.

Beede was designated for assignment by the Giants on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beede made six relief appearances for the Giants over the first month of the season, and he posted a 4.66 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 9.2 innings. The 28-year-old will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster after giving up two runs in 1.1 innings during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers.

Llovera will start Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Llovera has allowed one run over three innings since being promoted from Triple-A Sacramento on April 29, and he'll receive his first major-league start Thursday. He's likely to cover an inning or two with the Giants going with a bullpen game in the series opener.

Rogers earned the save with a perfect ninth inning in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

Rogers protected a one-run lead with ease, needing only 12 pitches (seven of which were strikes) to retire three batters. The right-hander extended his stretch of outings without allowing a run to 11, and he has given up only four hits and one walk over 10.2 frames on the season. Rogers is tied for the NL lead with 10 saves.

Beede surrendered two runs on three hits and a walk with one strikeout over 1.1 innings in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Beede has allowed runs in four of his six outings this season, and he's given up multiple hits in each of his last five appearances. The right-hander now has a 4.66 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB through 9.2 innings. He should continue to see only low-leverage work as he attempts to cut down on the number of baserunners he allows.

Hader said he's no longer experiencing mid-back spasms and will be available out of the bullpen for Thursday's series finale with the Reds, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers have stayed away from Hader since April 27 while he tended to the injury, allowing Devin Williams to temporarily step in as the team's closer. In spite of the missed time, Hader still enters Thursday's action tied for second in the majors with 10 saves on the season. The three-time All-Star should immediately reclaim closing duties now that he's healthy again.

Martin allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three over four relief innings in Wednesday's 8-7 win over Miami.

Martin didn't wake up knowing he'd be the bulk-inning pitcher Wednesday, but he was needed after Madison Bumgarner was ejected after the first inning. Forced to warm up on short notice, Martin walked two and gave up a single to the first three batters faced, and the first two runners eventually scored. The right-hander settled in after that, providing critical relief and allowing Arizona's bats to impact the game. It was the fourth time in five outings that Martin has thrown two innings or more.

Bard earned the save against the Nationals on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out two batters.

Bard's inning got off to a promising start when he struck out Juan Soto, and the reliever closed things out from there by retiring the next two batters. The Rockies' closing situation wasn't set in stone entering the season, but Bard has run with the position by converting seven of eight opportunities. His numbers certainly look like those of a dominant closer, as he has posted a 2.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB across nine innings.

Sims gave up five runs in two-thirds of inning during Wednesday's 18-4 loss to the Brewers. He gave up one hit while walking four batters.

Sims was in a "get-work" outing, having last pitched Saturday and then five days prior to that. If the Reds beat the odds and actually have a save chance Thursday, there's a reasonable likelihood that Sims won't be available after throwing 34 pitches Wednesday.