MLB Player News

Graterol (conditioning) is expected to be activated off the injured list Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old was previously expected to return Saturday, but the Dodgers will instead wait at least one more day. Graterol dealt with COVID-19 during the offseason and had a delayed start to spring training, leading to the IL stint to open the season. The right-hander is already with the team in San Diego as a member of the taxi squad.

Graterol (conditioning) is likely to be activated for Saturday's game against the Padres, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

Graterol has yet to pitch in 2021 after an offseason bout with COVID-19 impacted his readiness for spring training. He has been working out at the team's alternate training site and appears to be ready to rejoin the club. The Dodgers could certainly use an additional bullpen arm after they went through six relievers during Friday's 12-inning victory over the Padres.

Erceg has been working on pitching at the Brewers' alternate training site as he attempts to become a two-way player, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Erceg is exactly the type of player that a team might want to convert to a two-way role. He's not a non-prospect on the offensive side, but his bat doesn't seem quite good enough for him to carve out a meaningful role. He also has experience as a pitcher, having served as a closer in college. His path to the big leagues could involve him pitching well enough to be the last man in the bullpen while hitting well enough to be the last man on the bench, giving the team more flexibility with its other 25 roster spots.

Suero left Saturday's game against Arizona with an apparent injury, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Suero faced just a single batter before exiting the game. The nature and severity of his injury are not yet clear.

Vesia will be recalled by the Dodgers ahead of Saturday's game against the Padres, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The Dodgers used six relievers during Friday's 12-inning win over San Diego, so Vesia will be available as bullpen depth Saturday. Vesia made five relief appearances for the Marlins in 2020 and allowed nine runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings. He should serve as a low-leverage reliever in the big leagues and could be sent back to the team's alternate training site once the Dodgers' bullpen is fully rested.

Gilbreath was called up to serve as the extra man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

If Gilbreath appears in either half of the twin bill, it will be not just his first career big-league appearance but also his first appearance above High-A. He wasn't particularly impressive in 28 starts at that level in 2019, posting a 5.81 ERA and 1.68 WHIP.

Hill (0-2) took the loss against the Dodgers on Friday, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits while striking out one across 1.1 innings.

Hill entered in the 11th inning and racked up three quick outs to keep the contest tied. He stayed in the game for the 12th frame and yielded a two-run homer to Corey Seager leading off the inning, then saw four more batters reach base (three by single and one by error) before he was pulled. The left-hander has given up three home runs across 7.2 innings on the season, though he has posted a strong 10:1 K:BB.

Strop was returned to the Cubs' alternate training site Saturday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Strop had joined the major-league roster as a replacement player over the past several days, and he tossed two scoreless innings in two relief appearances. However, he'll head back to the team's alternate camp after Brandon Workman and Dan Winkler were reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list.

Biddle's contract was selected by Atlanta on Saturday.

Biddle joined his former team on a minor-league deal in early April and won't have to wait long for his first opportunity of the season. He'll replace fellow lefty Sean Newcomb, who landed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons.

Wilson was recalled from the alternate training site Saturday.

Wilson was sent down in late March but was expected to return sometime in mid-April when the team needed a fifth starter. That has indeed happened, though Wilson could potentially stick around longer than originally planned, as Max Fried (hamstring) and Drew Smyly (forearm) have joined Mike Soroka (Achilles/shoulder) on the injured list.