MLB Player News

Cleavinger (forearm) tossed a scoreless inning Monday for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the first outing of his rehab assignment. He gave up no hits, walked one and struck out one during the 11-pitch appearance.

Cleavinger took part in his first game action since May 15 after left forearm inflammation had sidelined him for the past three weeks. The 27-year-old isn't considered a major piece of the Los Angeles bullpen, so he could make several more appearances for Oklahoma City before being reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Alzolay left his start Monday against San Diego with a blister on his right middle finger, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports. He covered three innings before departing and gave up four runs on five hits and five walks while striking out four.

Alzolay's status for his next start is unclear at this point, though blisters don't typically result in extended absences. He'll likely be re-evaluated over the next few days before the Cubs determine if he'll be ready to take the hill this weekend versus St. Louis.

Alzolay left Monday's game against the Padres due to an apparent injury, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay was removed with no outs in the bottom of the fourth inning after surrendering four runs on five hits and five walks while fanning four. The extent of the injury is unclear at this point.

Doval was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Doval's latest stint in the big-league bullpen lasted just two days. He didn't get into a game, so his ERA remains at 7.59 on the season. He could return throughout the year when the Giants need an extra arm.

Castano was recalled by the Marlins on Monday but will not start Monday's game against the Red Sox, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins previously looked set to have a start available Tuesday against the Rockies, but they pushed Pablo Lopez back from Monday to Tuesday in order to give him an extra day to rest. Zach Thompson will start Monday, but it's possible Castano follows him out of the bullpen. Castano hasn't shown much through four big-league starts this year, striking out just 12.8 percent of opposing batters en route to a 5.19 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

Szapucki struck out a season-high seven batters and allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk over five innings in his most recent start Friday for Triple-A Syracuse.

Szapucki was making his second start for Syracuse since being returned from the minors after he had served as the Mets' 27th man for the team's May 27 doubleheader with the Rockies. The Mets ultimately didn't need him to provide length out of the bullpen, but the 24-year-old lefty may not have to wait much longer before making his big-league debut. Due to doubleheaders June 19 (in Washington) and June 21 (versus Atlanta), the Mets will soon need to add sixth and seventh starters to the mix on a temporary basis, and Szapucki would appear to be a strong candidate to fill one of the openings.

Manager Brian Snitker said Davidson is scheduled to make his next start for Atlanta on Wednesday in Philadelphia, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 25-year-old southpaw will be making his second straight turn through the rotation and his third start of the season for Atlanta after he allowed only six baserunners while striking out five over 5.2 scoreless frames June 3 against the Nationals. If Davidson can continue to mix his fastball, slider and curveball effectively while keeping his walks in check in his subsequent outings, he could have some longevity as Atlanta's No. 5 starter with Huascar Ynoa (hand) and Mike Soroka (Achilles) unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until well after the All-Star break.

Nance has yet to allow a run in any of his 10 appearances out of the Chicago bullpen since being called up from Triple-A Iowa on May 16. He's permitted two hits and four walks while striking out nine and gathering four holds across 8.1 innings.

The 30-year-old rookie is among several unsung relievers who have helped turn the Chicago bullpen into one of baseball's better units through the first two-plus months of the season. Nance has earned more high-leverage work as a result of getting off to a hot start to his big-league career, but he won't enter the mix for saves so long as Craig Kimbrel continues to pitch at an elite level.

Bard picked up the save Sunday against the Rockies after tossing two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out two.

Bard notched his seventh save of the season, but it was an odd one for the right-hander -- it was his first two-out save of the campaign. He's gone 5-for-6 in save chances since the start of May and has also gone six straight appearances without allowing a run.

Kimbrel worked a clean ninth inning to record the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Giants. He struck out two.

Kimbrel now has 14 saves and a sparkling 0.75 ERA this season, and he's been particularly dominant his last three outings, as he hasn't allowed a baserunner while striking out six. The veteran has bounced back in a big way after disappointing 2019 and 2020 campaigns, and fantasy managers should just enjoy the ride while Kimbrel is pitching this well.