MLB Player News

Betances (shoulder) started a rehab assignment with the Dodgers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate June 7 and has given up three earned runs on six hits and zero walks while striking out seven across 3.2 innings spanning four appearances.

Since his 2021 campaign with the Mets came to an end late in June after he underwent surgery on his right shoulder, Betances is expected to require an extensive ramp-up period in the lower rungs of the minors before he eventually settles in as a member of Triple-A Oklahoma City's bullpen. Once he's with Oklahoma City, Betances will look to prove that he still has something left in the tank after injuries limited him to just 13.1 total innings at the big-league level across the past three seasons.

Pallante (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Boston.

Pallante served up a solo home run to Trevor Story in the second inning followed by an RBI single from Jackie Bradley in the fifth. He's given up four runs over eight innings in his last two outings, raising his season ERA from 1.04 to 1.69 in the process. Pallante is projected to make his fourth start of the year next week at home against the Cubs.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Smith spent a week with the major-league club but will head back to the minors since the Rockies need to trim down to 13 pitchers by Monday. He made just one relief appearance during his stint in Colorado and allowed a run on a hit and two walks while striking out one in 1.1 innings.

Bednar (3-1) allowed a run on one hit and a walk over two innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Giants. He also blew a save chance.

Bednar was called upon to attempt another multi-inning save but coughed up a game-tying home run to Thairo Estrada in the ninth frame. Jack Suwinski later drilled a walkoff shot, giving Bednar the victory. Despite the slight hiccup, the 27-year-old righty still owns a strong 1.34 ERA with a 46:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings.

Roberts exited four pitches into his rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Iowa after suffering an apparent aggravation of his right shoulder injury, Alex Cohen of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Roberts retired one batter before calling for the training staff and exiting the rehab appearance, which was his first since landing on the 10-day injured list May 1 before he was later moved to the 60-day IL. The Cubs should provide further word on the extent of Roberts' setback in the days to come, but he no longer looks on track to be activated when first eligible in the final week of June.

The Phillies optioned Kelly to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals.

Kelly struck out one over a perfect inning of relief Sunday and maintains an unblemished ERA through his first two appearances in the majors, but it won't be enough for him to stick around with the big club. He should find himself near the top of the list for a call-up if the Phillies require an additional bullpen arm at any point.

The Nationals optioned Abbott to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 9-3 win over the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

MLB teams won't be able to carry more than 12 pitchers on the 26-man active roster beginning Monday, so Abbott's demotion will bring the Nationals down to the maximum allotted arms. He made his team debut Sunday, striking out one over a scoreless inning to finish out the game.

The Rockies transferred Kinley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The transaction is a procedural move, as Kinley was already expected to miss the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed Wednesday with a right elbow strain and a flexor tear. The Rockies haven't yet decided if Tommy John surgery is in the forecast for the right-hander, but he'll require months of rest and rehab even if he's able to forgo a procedure. Colorado reinstated infielder Garrett Hampson (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list to fill Kinley's spot on the 40-man roster.

Rogers walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Pirates.

Rogers has had some shaky outings this year, but he's managed to log a 2.02 ERA over his last 13.1 innings while earning two holds in that span. The right-hander is up to 10 holds, a blown save and an 0-2 record through 30 appearances. He's posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 30.1 innings, but he remains in a high-leverage role on a 37-27 team, so he should continue to get looks for holds even if Camilo Doval and Jake McGee command most of the save chances.

The Reds placed Diaz on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right biceps tendinitis.

Diaz wasn't the clear-cut top option in the Reds' closer committee, but with Tony Santillan (back) recently joining Lucas Sims (back) on the injured list and with Art Warren having struggled in his recent appearances, Diaz seemingly had a good chance of emerging as Cincinnati's top option for saves in the short term. He had already performed as the Reds' best reliever this season with a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB in 30 innings to go with two saves and eight holds, but the injury now casts doubt about Diaz's outlook moving forward. Biceps tendinitis can often be a precursor to a more serious injury, but for now, the Reds will have to hope that he misses the minimum 15 days or close to it. Warren and Hunter Strickland look like the best bets for saves with all of Diaz, Santillan and Sims on the IL.