MLB Player News

Ferguson (oblique) pitched a simulated game Tuesday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ferguson took a big step forward by facing live hitters for the first time since suffering a left oblique injury. It remains unclear if he'll require a brief rehab stint prior to his activation.

Venditte was designated for assignment by the Giants on Tuesday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Venditte was roughed up in two outings after his promotion from the minors, surrendering six runs with two strikeouts over 3.1 innings of work out of the bullpen. Yangervis Solarte was also designated for assignment, opening up spots on the roster for Mac Williamson and Donovan Solano.

Rusin (back) struck out one over one scoreless inning in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Back pain popped up in mid-March and forced Rusin to the 10-day injured list to begin the regular season. He faced live hitters during the final week of April and joined the team's top minor-league affiliate right away for his rehab assignment, so it would seem like Rusin's not too far off from rejoining the big-league club. Rusin struggled mightily last season, posting a 6.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, but was much better the year prior (2.65 ERA, 1.11 WHIP).

Kinley walked the only two batters he faced, with one coming around to score, in Monday's win over the Cubs.

The right-hander had a 0.73 ERA on April 20, but everything's fallen apart for Kinley since. He's been charged with at least one run in five of his last seven appearances, posting a 22.50 ERA, 4.00 WHIP and 6:6 K:BB in only four innings over that stretch. The 28-year-old could well be the next Marlins reliever jettisoned to Triple-A New Orleans when the club needs to bring up a fresh arm.

Suero gave up a run on one hit while striking out two in an inning of relief during Monday's loss to the Brewers.

The right-hander entered the game with two outs in the seventh inning and allowed an inherited runner to score, then Tony Sipp did the same to him in the eighth after Suero gave up a leadoff double to Orlando Arcia. The 27-year-old's 1.21 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB through 14 innings are solid, but they come with a ghastly 7.07 ERA, the product of a Nats relief corps that seems incapable of backing each other up. The bullpen's 62.7 percent strand rate is the worst in the majors, and Suero's 37.5 percent rate makes him the worst of the worst.

Pomeranz (1-4) allowed seven runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk across 1.2 innings during a loss to the Reds on Monday.

This was Pomeranz's shortest outing of the year, but early exits in starts have been common for him. In four of his seven starts, he failed to get through five innings. Walks and home runs have both been problems for Pomeranz this year, and while he only walked one batter in 15 at-bats Monday, he did give up three home runs. Pomeranz has posted a 3.9 BB/9 and 2.4 HR/9 this year. He is also 1-4 with a 5.93 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 30.1 innings. Pomeranz will receive another crack at the Reds in his next start at home Saturday.

Strop (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Monday against the Marlins. He allowed three runs on a hit and three walks without recording an out.

Simply put, it was a disastrous outing for Strop as he blew his second save in six opportunities this season. Staked to a 4-3 lead, the righty started the top of the ninth with back-to-back walks. A single loaded the bases, then another walk forced home the tying run before Strop got the hook. He threw just six of 18 pitches for strikes and saw his ERA climb to 5.06. Regular closer Brandon Morrow (elbow) is without a timetable to return to the team, but the Cubs may be forced to turn to someone like Brandon Kintzler or Steve Cishek for saves if Strop continues to struggle.

Hicks struck out the only two batters he faced in a non-save situation during Monday's 6-0 win over the Phillies.

Hicks came into the game with a runner on first and one out in the ninth inning and got the job done. Even more impressive, his two strikeouts came against sluggers Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins. Hicks now owns a 2.03 ERA and 18:5 K:BB.

Jansen won't pitch Monday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The closer has worked three straight days, so the Dodgers will give him a day off for this Monday matchup with the Braves, per Gurnick. Pedro Baez or Scott Alexander are possible candidates who could get the nod to close it out if a save situation arises.

Wilson (elbow) was activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Monday's game against the Padres, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Wilson has been on the shelf since April 22 due to elbow soreness, but after making it through a few side sessions without issue, he's been activated from the injured list. He owns a 3.24 ERA with eight punchouts over 8.1 frames this season for the Mets.