MLB Player News

Bednar was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain Tuesday.

Bednar was unavailable for Sunday's series finale against the Nationals due to a side issue, and he'll require a stint on the injured list after he was diagnosed with a right oblique strain. With just under three weeks remaining in the regular season, it's not clear whether he'll have enough time to return to game action in 2021. Chris Stratton will likely take over as Pittsburgh's closer while Bednar is sidelined.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Diaz made three relief appearances after he was called up in early September, but he'll head back to the minors after he gave up four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one in 1.1 innings against the Cardinals on Monday. He's made 12 outings in Albuquerque and has posted an 8.16 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 14.1 innings.

Reed (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reed landed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 20, but he'll rejoin the Mets' bullpen after missing just under a month. The 28-year-old has made two relief appearances since he was claimed off waivers by the Mets in early August, and he struck out five in four scoreless innings during that time.

Lambert (elbow) will have his rehab transferred to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Lambert has been recovering since he underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2020; his move to Albuquerque represents the final step in his rehab process. The 24-year-old has made six rehab appearances since mid-August and has recorded a 4.73 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 13.1 innings. Manager Bud Black is optimistic that Lambert will rejoin the Rockies prior to the end of the regular season, but it's not yet clear whether the right-hander will be built up to a starter's workload.

Reyes secured his first hold in a win over the Mets on Monday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out the side.

The Cardinals were only up 3-0 when Reyes entered in the eighth inning, so the assignment was a prototypical higher-leverage setup scenario. The previously embattled right-hander held his own by working around a pair of inning-opening baserunners, using his overpowering stuff to mow down the formidable trio of Pete Alonso, Javier Baez and Jeff McNeil and escape the frame unscathed. Reyes appears to be settling into a nice groove in the post-closer phase of his season, now having fired four scoreless innings over his last three appearances while posting a 6:2 K:BB and a pair of victories in addition to Monday's hold.

Bickford (4-2) was credited with the win against Arizona on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Starter Clayton Kershaw pitched well in his return to the mound, but he was limited to 50 pitches over 4.1 frames. Bickford took over with one out in the fifth and tossed 16 of 23 pitches for strikes over his inning of work, allowing only an infield single to pick up the victory. The right-hander continues to thrive in his first full big-league season. In 50 games with the Dodgers, he has posted a 2.54 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB while notching eight holds and one save.

Martin (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Martin has been out for just shy of two weeks due to right elbow inflammation. Given the relatively brief nature of his absence, he probably won't need too long of a rehab assignment before he's cleared to return.

Littell (3-0) pitched 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts to earn the win Monday over San Diego.

The right-hander again came away with a decision in a bullpen game. Littell relieved Jarlin Garcia with one out in the fourth inning and then stayed on for the fifth in a lopsided contest. Though he's picked up just two saves and five holds, Littell has a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 54 innings this season, thanks in part to a career-low 0.8 HR/9 and tiny .216 BABIP.

Floro gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his 11th save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander continues to get the job done as the Marlins' closer. Since the beginning of August after Yimi Garcia was traded, Floro has converted nine of 10 save chances with a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 15 innings.

Leone allowed a hit and struck out one batter in two scoreless innings as the opener in Monday's win over San Diego. He did not factor in the decision.

Leone needed just 18 pitches (15 strikes) to roll through two shutout frames in Monday's victory. It didn't hurt that the Giants' offense racked up five runs in the first inning. The 29-year-old lowered his ERA to 1.41 through 46 appearances this season and has given up just one earned run over his last 14 innings.