MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Garcia has been sidelined all season while working his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent back in October of 2016. While this is the final step in his recovery, the Dodgers haven't specified how many rehab appearances Garcia will make before rejoining the big club, leaving his return date up in the air.

Schultz (elbow) is pitching without restriction with High-A Bradenton, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

Schultz missed all of 2017 due to Tommy John surgery, but after tossing 2.2 scoreless innings for the Marauders, it seems like he's back to 100 percent. He will likely return to Triple-A Indianapolis in the near future to act as an organizational depth piece.

Smith (elbow) will join High-A San Jose for a rehab stint Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smith is working his way back to the big leagues after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2017. He's been throwing in live batting practice and extended spring training and will get his first taste of real game action after joining San Jose. He remains on schedule for a May 1 return to the big leagues and will join a bullpen which could still be without closer Mark Melancon (elbow), though Hunter Strickland seems to have the interim closer job locked down.

Suarez had his contract purchased from Triple-A Sacramento ahead of his start against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

As expected, Suarez was added to the big-league roster and will make his major-league debut. His stay could be short, as he's filling in for the injured Johnny Cueto, who is expected to be on the disabled list for a short time with a sprained ankle.

Okert was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Okert was up for just one day and did not make an appearance. He was sent down so that the Giants could call up Andrew Suarez to make a start, filling in for the injured Johnny Cueto (ankle). Okert is clearly near the top of the list of minor-league relievers that the Giants will call on in an emergency, but with a 4.83 ERA in 41 career big-league innings, he's unlikely to be much of a fantasy asset in the time he spends in the majors.

Suter allowed one earned run over 5.1 innings but did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to the Cardinals. He allowed four hits and posted a 2:1 K:BB.

Suter had little trouble with the Cardinals' lineup the first two times through the batting order, but the wheels came off a bit the third time through, and he was ultimately saddled with an earned run and a no-decision when a runner he allowed to reach base prior to his exit crossed home plate. Suter has not been particularly sharp to open the season, but Tuesday's outing was his best of the season thus far. His next start is likely to come Monday against the Reds at Miller Park.

Barraclough allowed solo home runs to Wilmer Flores and Asdrubal Cabrera in the eighth inning Tuesday to get charged with his first blown save of the season in an 8-6 loss to the Mets.

The right-hander's 8:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings to begin the season is still impressive, however, and Barraclough's career 0.5 HR/9 doesn't suggest the long ball will suddenly be a problem for him. Brad Ziegler had another bad outing in the ninth Tuesday, but if the veteran gets deposed as closer it's still not clear whether Barraclough or Drew Steckenrider (0.00 ERA, 7:1 K:BB in 5.2 innings) would be next in line for saves.

Kay (elbow) tossed four scoreless innings while allowing two hits, one walk and striking out four in his professional debut for Low-A Columbia.

The Mets' first-round pick in 2016, Kay underwent Tommy John surgery almost six months after being drafted, and had not pitched in a game until this outing against Low-A Augusta. Despite his pedigree, the 23-year-old southpaw never projected as a high-caliber starter, but more of a back-of-the-rotation type of arm. His innings will be monitored closely this year, but he could move relatively quickly in 2019.

The Brewers designated Hoover for assignment Wednesday.

Hoover was dropped from the 40-man roster just hours after blowing a save and taking the loss against the Cardinals. After putting away the first two batters in the bottom of the 10th inning with the Brewers clinging to a 3-2 lead, Hoover allowed a walk followed by back-to-back singles, the last of which scored the tying run. Hoover came back out for the bottom of the 11th and yielded another base hit before surrendering a walkoff two-run home run to Matt Carpenter. The inability to rein in the long ball has been an issue for Hoover throughout his career and could make other teams reluctant to trade or put in a waiver claim for the 30-year-old.

The Brewers recalled Lopez from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday.

Lopez will give the Brewers some length out of the bullpen after Milwaukee relievers combined to cover 10 frames in extra-inning affairs the past two days. A former top starting pitching prospect in the organization, Lopez has since been converted to a full-time bullpen role after faltering in the high minors over the last two seasons. He's unlikely to be in line for an extended stay with the big club.