MLB Player News

Graterol (forearm) threw from 90 feet Sunday and could throw off a mound in a few days, Sarah Wexler of MLB.com reports. "We want to keep him with us, keep our pitching guys watching him closely, and making sure the delivery gets where it needs to be, stays where it needs to be," manager Dave Roberts stated when asked about the reliever.

Graterol remains without a timetable to return from the 10-day injured list, but the fact that he has been able to resume throwing is a positive sign for his overall outlook. The right-hander has tossed only 1.1 innings this season after getting a late start to the campaign and has struggled in his three appearances, yielding three earned runs.

Atlanta optioned Arano to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Arano went unused during his first call-up period of the season, which lasted all of two days. The right-hander should fill a key role in the Gwinnett bullpen while he's with the affiliate, but Arano should be the near the top of the list for a promotion if Atlanta requires a reliever at any point.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Sunday that Hicks is now expected to be sidelined at least six weeks after he recently received a second opinion on his inflamed right elbow, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

When Hicks was placed on the IL on May 4, the Cardinals initially projected him to miss up to a month, but the right-hander's recovery timeline has since been pushed back following his most recent checkup. Hicks is slated to receive an injection in his elbow this week to address the inflammation, and if the shot has the desired effect, he'll begin a rehab program soon thereafter. Mozeliak noted that the six-week timeline is an estimate for when Hicks will resume baseball activities, so the 24-year-old will almost certainly require additional time beyond that to build up before the Cardinals are ready to activate him. With that in mind, Hicks could face an uphill battle to make it back from the IL before the All-Star break.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Lamet will start Monday's game against the Rockies in Colorado, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

In his return from the 10-day injured list last week, Lamet was deployed in a tandem with Ryan Weathers, who had been returning from a minor arm injury of his own. Since he didn't get fully ramped up after being shut down with forearm tightness, Lamet was capped at two innings (30 pitches) before giving way to Weathers, who worked three frames. Lamet should be cleared to work deeper into Monday's turn, especially after Weathers was used in a tandem Sunday with Chris Paddack, who was activated from the COVID-19 IL ahead of the series finale with the Giants. The Padres will likely wait and see how Lamet looks during Monday's outing before determining how he, Paddack and Weathers fit into the team's rotation plans moving forward.

Hand (2-1) allowed one run on a hit and two walks in a third of an inning to take the loss against the Yankees on Sunday.

Hand entered Sunday's game in the ninth inning to preserve a 2-2 tie, but he walked Tyler Wade on four pitches before issuing a free pass to Aaron Judge. The southpaw managed to record an out, but he gave up a walkoff single and was charged with his first loss of the season. Hand didn't allow any earned runs in his first nine appearances of the season, but he's now been charged with a blown save and a loss in each of his last two outings.

Weathers (2-1) pitched three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three to earn the win against the Giants on Sunday.

Weathers relieved Chris Paddack in the fourth inning and cruised through three innings of his own. The 21-year-old has been able to succeed in multiple roles this season, carrying a 0.81 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 20 strikeouts through 22.1 innings. Part of his success is his ability to avoid the long ball, as he's given up just one home run in eight appearances.

Bass (1-3) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning during Sunday's extra-inning loss to Milwaukee.

Bass intentionally walked Daniel Vogelbach to pitch to Tyrone Taylor, who promptly hit a go-ahead RBI single. Miami's offense was unable to bail out Bass in the bottom of the 10th. The right-hander carries a 5.40 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB across 11.2 innings this season. He began the year as the closer, but with three blown saves early on, Bass yielded ninth-inning duties to Yimi Garcia, who pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in a tied game Sunday.

Helsley picked up a save in a scoreless appearance against Colorado on Sunday. He walked one batter and recorded two outs.

Helsley came into the game after starter Adam Wainwright put two runners on base with one out in the ninth inning. He walked the first batter he saw but wiggled out of the bases-loaded threat with a double play to end the game. Helsley is sporting a 3.45 ERA with a 3-0 record and one save in 16 relief appearances.

Hader (3-0) pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts and earned the extra-inning win Sunday over Miami.

Hader took care of business to keep the game tied at 1-1 in the ninth inning, and Milwaukee pulled ahead in the top of the 10th. With Hader and Devin Williams already done for the day, Drew Rasmussen was called on for the save, and he converted with a scoreless inning. The 27-year-old Hader has a 0.71 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 12.2 innings. He's been dominant and effective as the closer, converting all seven of his save opportunities so far. The southpaw hasn't pitched in a save situation since April 30, as Milwaukee has gone 2-7 in May.

Diaz allowed one hit and struck out three over 1.2 innings to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over Arizona. He also hit a batter.

Diaz entered with a runner on second and promptly plunked the next batter before inducing a double play to get out of trouble in the eighth inning. He handled the ninth with less drama and recorded his fifth save of the year. Diaz has a 3.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB across 14.1 innings, and he remains the favorite for closing duties.