MLB Player News

Mlodzinski (shoulder) is expected to throw off the slope of the mound this week, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Mlodzinski was removed from a game at High-A Greensboro on July 10 after he experienced stiffness in his right shoulder, and he was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list July 12. However, the right-hander resumed throwing last week, and he'll take another step in his recovery once he resumes mound work.

Howard (oblique) has increased his throwing distance to 90 feet, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Howard resumed playing catch last week, and he's been able to increase his volume and intensity since then. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that he's hopeful that the southpaw will be able to increase his throwing distance to 120 feet by the end of the week.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed that Kranick will start Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Kranick was fully expected to get the ball for the second game of the series after he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day. With Tyler Anderson having been dealt away to Seattle and Chase De Jong (knee) on the injured list, the Pirates should have room in the rotation for both Kranick and Cody Ponce -- who tossed five scoreless innings in relief in Tuesday's loss -- for the foreseeable future. Over his three prior starts with Pittsburgh this season, Kranick has gone 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA (3.69 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP over 11 innings.

The Pirates recalled Kranick from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh hasn't announced a starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Brewers, but the nod will presumably go to Kranick, who would be stepping into the rotation as a replacement for the injured Chase De Jong (knee). Kranick tossed five scoreless innings in his MLB debut June 27 in St. Louis, but he's struggled over his last two outings with the big club. Between those starts, Kranick has covered six frames while giving up seven runs on 11 hits and four walks.

Hand had a strikeout and didn't allow a hit or walk during a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Phillies.

A throwing error put a runner on second base to start the frame, but Hand quickly retired the next three batters on only seven pitches to break a streak of two straight blown saves. The veteran lefty entered Tuesday's contest with seven earned runs allowed in five appearances since the All-Star break, so it was a welcome sight to see him deliver a clean ninth inning. He's 21-for-26 in save opportunities this season and has a 3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 42:18 K:BB across 42.2 innings.

Moore (0-3) took the loss Tuesday versus the Nationals after giving up six runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks over four innings.

Moore served up a three-run home run in each of the first two frames as Washington jumped out to an early lead. It's the second consecutive outing in which the left-hander gave up exactly six runs. He appeared set to lose his spot in the rotation with the Phillies on the verge of acquiring Tyler Anderson from the Pirates on Tuesday, but the trade fell through due to medical reasons after an initial agreement was reached. Moore has a 6.46 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 40:22 K:BB across 46 innings this season, and he tentatively lines up for his next turn through the rotation Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Reyes tossed a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 24th save of the season in a 4-2 win over Cleveland. He didn't walk or strike out a batter but did hit Bobby Bradley with a pitch.

He needed only 10 pitches (seven strikes) to breeze through the heart of the Cleveland order. Reyes' lapses in control have cost him a little more than they did earlier in the year, and since the beginning of June, he's posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB through 18.2 innings while still converting nine of 10 save chances.

Clarke (shoulder) allowed five runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning for High-A Hillsboro on Tuesday.

This was Clarke's first appearance on rehab assignment. While the results were not good, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic prior to the outing that Clarke could be back with the team soon. "He's been feeling very, very good," Lovullo said. "He's going to fast-track this and get back to us as soon as possible." Clarke has been on the injured list since June 15.

Rogers (2-1) earned the win Tuesday versus the Dodgers. He allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless inning.

Rogers bent but didn't break in the top of the eighth inning, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. A fielder's choice from Max Muncy and a flyout by Justin Turner ended the threat, and San Francisco took the lead in its half of the inning to put Rogers in line for the win. The right-hander remains an excellent high-leverage arm with a 1.91 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB through 47 innings. He's added 11 saves and 17 holds in 47 outings.

Melancon pitched a clean ninth inning in Tuesday's 7-4 victory over the Athletics, recording one strikeout to earn the save.

Melancon made quick work of the bottom of Oakland's order on the way to his league-league saves mark. He's now recorded a save in four straight appearances, all during the past week, and appears primed to challenge his career-best 51 recorded with Pittsburgh in 2015.