MLB Player News

Kiekhefer was called up from Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Friday.

The Cardinals optioned Seth Maness to Memphis on Friday, and subsequently called up Kiekhefer. He had given up two earned runs, while striking out nine batters in 13.1 innings in Memphis. This will be the 27-year-old south paw's first stint in the big leagues.

Smith (knee) completed a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The mound session was Smith's first since suffering a torn LCL in his right knee while attempting to take a shoe off in the clubhouse in late March. He decided to forego surgery and take the rest and rehab route, and while Smith seems happy with his progress to this point, he's not out of the woods yet by any means. The lefty will continue to build up strength for now with eye toward ultimately heading out for a rehab assignment.

Nolin (elbow) hasn't started throwing following the elbow injury he incurred during spring training, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Nolin was in Milwaukee on Friday to have his elbow examined, but it appears that he hasn't done much in terms of baseball activities to move along his rehab process. It doesn't appear that the left-hander will be back very soon.

Sims, 22, has a 4.91 ERA and 25:8 K:BB through 22 innings since being promoted to Triple-A

Sims has been snake-bitten by the home run ball at this level, surrendering four home runs in four starts. Still, he has been otherwise effective, including averaging more than a strikeout per inning.

Voth, 23, has a 2.31 ERA and 36:5 K:BB through 35 innings for Triple-A Syracuse.

Voth has picked up right where he left off in 2015, showing standout control along with the ability to miss bats. He doesn't project as a frontline starter, but the Nats will have a hard time not giving him a shot in the rotation if he continues to pitch this way.

Gsellman was placed on the disabled list Friday due to a strained groin, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Gsellman had been pitching very well as a member of the Double-A rotation, sporting a 2.21 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. The issue is considered mild, so the right-hander shouldn't miss too much time nursing this injury.

Nelson (4-3) held the Padres to two runs on five hits and a walk over eight innings Thursday, striking out five in a 3-0 loss.

Other than Melvin Upton's big day, the Padres couldn't get to Nelson. Unfortunately, the righty got no support whatsoever from his offense while delivering his strongest outing of the season. He's been a bit less than consistent, but the sum of Nelson's contributions has been a solid fantasy line. As he approaches his 27th birthday, Nelson still hasn't lived up to the potential he's shown in the minors, but the overall trend line has been nothing but positive.

Smith will throw off a mound Friday for the first time since injuring his knee this spring, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Smith has been brought along slowly since tearing the LCL in his right knee this spring, but he will now get a chance to see how his knee feels while throwing from an elevated position. Smith is not entirely in the clear just yet in regards to surgery on his knee, but if all goes well Friday and in his next few sessions, there will be plenty of reason to believe he will avoid going under the knife and pitch for the Brewers at some point this summer.

Matzek (personal) walked the only batter he faced in an appearance with High-A Modesto on Wednesday.

Matzek was a bit wild, with four of his five pitches being balls, but it's noteworthy that the Rockies felt confident enough in Matzek to put him back in a game situation. He'll continue to get eased back into action over the coming weeks, and the left-hander should hopefully be able to enter the Triple-A rotation once he has stretched out his arm enough.

Gearrin surrendered two runs over his lone inning of work Wednesday, but still managed to record his fourth hold of season.

Gearrin wasn't himself Wednesday, surrendering five fly balls and no grounders after entering the game with a 1.71 GB/FB. Despite the rough outing, he technically held the lead and earned the hold. Gearrin continues to be used in high-pressure situations while Sergio Romo (forearm) and George Kontos (elbow) are on the disabled list.