MLB Player News

Rainey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds decided to swap Rainey out for a fresh arm in Jesus Reyes after Rainey threw 37 pitches Monday. Rainey has bounced between Triple-A and the majors three times already this season and will likely continue to ride the shuttle, providing depth to the bullpen as needed.

Stewart was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Stewart will head back to the minors for the time being with Clayton Kershaw (biceps) expected to return Thursday and bump him from the rotation. It's unclear if Stewart will remain stretched out in the minors or rejoin the big club in a long-relief role when he's eligible to return. He owns a 4.61 ERA across 13.2 major-league innings (two starts, three relief appearances) and a 2.08 ERA across 21.2 Triple-A frames (five starts).

Webb was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Webb will head back to the minors in order to clear a roster spot for the recently acquired Phil Hughes, who was added to the active roster in a corresponding roster move. The 27-year-old, who has struggled to a 12.60 ERA across five big-league innings this season, will continue to serve as organizational pitching depth with the Chihuahuas.

Alzolay was diagnosed with a Grade 1 lat strain Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay suffered the injury during his start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. The 23-year-old prospect had thrown four perfect innings before exiting with the injury. He'll be re-evaluated in a few days, after which a potential timetable for his return will emerge.

Underwood tossed seven innings of two-run ball for Triple-A Iowa in its 5-4 win over New Orleans on Monday. He gave up four hits and no walks and struck out three.

Underwood's poor walk rates have resulted in a slow, yet steady ascent through the Cubs' farm system, but the right-hander is beginning to show more mastery of his offerings. He's limited opponents to just 10 free passes in 52.2 innings (1.7 BB/9) and has yielded only two home runs. A lack of elite strikeout production dings Underwood's outlook in dynasty settings, but if his improved control and command proves sustainable, he could have a future as a back-end rotation arm for Chicago.

Clarke tossed five shutout innings for Triple-A Reno in its 6-1 win over Salt Lake on Monday. He scattered three hits and two walks and struck out five.

Clarke owns an unremarkable 4.21 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 57.2 innings this season, but those figures don't accurately reflect how exceptionally he's pitched this month. Over six May starts, Clarke has gone 5-1 with a 2.12 ERA and 40:10 K:BB in 34 innings, establishing himself as arguably the top arm in the Reno rotation. If the Diamondbacks should suffer another injury to a starter at the big-league level, Clarke might be the top candidate to fill an opening.

Sims was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Sims was likely unavailable for a couple of days after tossing 2.1 innings during Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader, so he was sent to the minors to open up a roster spot for Tuesday's starter, Anibal Sanchez, who returned from the disabled list in a corresponding move. Sims should be back with the big club when a fresh arm is needed again.

Mayers allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk over two innings in a loss to the Brewers on Monday. He struck out two.

Mayers worked up to a robust 49 pitches in his two frames, his highest pitch count of the season overall. The 26-year-old right-hander has now allowed an earned run in three of his six May appearances, but he still sports an impressive 2.63 ERA over his 13.2 innings this season. Mayers' ability to work long relief when needed renders him a valuable component of the bullpen, but the way he's been deployed thus far has failed to yield him any hold opportunities.

Koch (3-3) picked up the win despite allowing five runs on 11 hits and a walk through five innings Monday against the Reds.

Koch was lifted by the Diamondbacks offense, which broke out for four runs in the second inning and nine runs through the first five frames. He just couldn't miss bats, as he induced just four swinging strikes en route to his second strikeout-less start in three outings. Koch's season high for strikeouts is just five, and his 4.7 K/9 rivals San Francisco's Ty Blach (4.5) for the worst in the league if Koch had enough innings to qualify. Koch has sharp control, but that won't be enough if he can't find a way to draw more swinging strikes. His next turn is scheduled for Sunday against the Marlins.

Stewart allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across four innings in a no-decision Monday against the Phillies. He struck out five.

Stewart gave up an unearned run on his own wild pitch in the first inning and was tagged for a three-run home run by Cesar Hernandez in the second. He was better over the next couple of frames, but an elevated pitch count factored into his removal before the fifth. Stewart has a 4.61 ERA on the season, but regardless of how he did in this start he seemed set to return to a long relief role when Clayton Kershaw (biceps) returns later this week.