MLB Player News

Nelson (back) will throw live batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Nelson resumed mound work at the beginning of the week, and he'll face live hitters for the first time several days later. The right-hander has been on the 10-day injured list since July 9 due to a left lumbar strain, but he appears to be making good progress in his recovery. It's not yet clear whether Nelson will require a rehab assignment before he's cleared to rejoin the Dodgers.

Ramirez (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Ramirez has been on the 10-day injured list with left rotator cuff inflammation since July 8, but he could be nearing his return to the Padres. Since the southpaw serves as a reliever and has only been sidelined two weeks, he likely won't require a lengthy rehab stint before he's activated.

Bender will serve as the Marlins' opening pitcher in Thursday's game against the Padres, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The newly recalled Jordan Holloway is expected to serve as the Marlins' primary bulk reliever behind Bender, who will be making his first career start in the big leagues. The 26-year-old rookie has only one save to his name, but he's arguably been the Marlins' most reliable reliever this season. Through 31 appearances spanning 31.2 innings, Bender has posted a 2.27 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB.

Megill was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Megill was sent to the minors in late June, and he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 11 in six innings during his stint with the Triple-A club. He'll provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen for the Cubs, while infielder Sergio Alcantara was sent down in a corresponding move.

Cabrera secured his 15th hold in an extra-inning win over the Cubs on Wednesday, issuing a walk over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

The left-hander fired just five of 11 pitches for strikes, but he had a relatively uneventful appearance on his way to his fifth straight scoreless effort. Cabrera has now notched three holds and a win over his last four trips to the mound, one of his most fantasy-friendly stretches of the campaign.

Atlanta optioned Wilson to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

As expected, Wilson returns to the minors one day after Atlanta designated him as its 27th man for its doubleheader with the Padres. He started the second game of the twin bill, which was ultimately suspended in the middle of the fifth inning due to inclement weather. Wilson was in line to take the loss after lasting just two innings while giving up five runs on four hits and four walks. Despite the ugly outing, Wilson could be a candidate to make another spot start Monday in Queens, when Atlanta will face the Mets in a doubleheader.

The Padres list Weathers (ankle) as their probable pitcher for Saturday's game against the Marlins.

San Diego's decision to include Weathers on the pitching schedule for this weekend implies that he came out of Wednesday's live batting practice session feeling fine. Assuming Weathers experiences no complications with his inflamed right ankle heading into the series with the Marlins, he'll end up missing just one turn through the rotation on account of the injury.

Floro (3-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's extra-inning victory over the Nationals. giving up one hit and striking out two over two scoreless innings of relief.

The right-hander worked the eighth and ninth innings in a 1-1 tie before the Marlins took the lead in the top of the 10th. Floro hasn't given up an earned run since June 14, posting a 12:6 K:BB over his last 10 appearances. On the season he sports a 2.77 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with two saves and 10 holds as one of Miami's primary set-up men in front of closer Yimi Garcia.

Bard struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 15th save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Mariners.

The flamethrowing right-hander is a perfect 4-for-4 on save chances in July, and Bard has only been scored upon once in his last nine appearances. On the season, the 36-year-old sports a 3.86 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB through 39.2 innings.

Strahm (knee) is slated to begin a rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso on Friday, per MLB.com.

Strahm has yet to pitch this season after undergoing knee surgery last October. He has thrown a handful of bullpen sessions, however, and recently advanced to tossing a simulated game. Strahm will likely need a fair amount of time to get his arm game-ready considering his lengthy layoff, but he appears on track to rejoin the Padres in the coming weeks. He could emerge as a key addition to the bullpen after registering a 2.61 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 20.2 innings last season.