MLB Player News

The Padres optioned reliever Brad Boxberger to Triple-A Tucson Saturday, to recall Burch Smith. Boxberger appeared in three games in his most recent stint with the team, allowing three earned runs in four innings of work. 

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez threw 20 pitches off a mound Friday, a good sign in his recovery from a forearm injury.  According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Gomez will throw a bullpen session Monday, and will be re-evaluated then.

Gomez was pulled from his previous start less than a week ago due to tightness in his forearm, but seems to be progressing well. It is not clear when he will be able to come off the disabled list. 

The Mets optioned reliever Collin McHugh to triple-A Las Vegas Saturday to make room for the addition of David Aardsma, MLB.com reports. 

McHugh, 25, pitched to a 10.29 ERA over three appearances this season for the Mets. 

Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson suffered a second tear to his UCL during his first rehab start June 4, MLB.com reports. Treatment for Hudson will be determined after an evaluation with Dr. James Andrews, but the tear likely indicates the end of his 2013 season. Hudson was working his way back from Tommy John surgery to repair the same UCL.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller turned in a solid outing as he picked up his seventh win Thursday night against the Diamondbacks.

Miller (7-3) surrendered two runs in the first inning for his only damage of the night. He yielded two runs on six hits while striking out nine in six innings pitched. He also helped his cause with a solo home run in a 12-8 victory.

"I haven't hit a home run since high school, at least in a game," said Miller. "It was neat. It will be something I remember for sure. Sometimes you get lucky."

Miller has now won back-to-back starts. He has allowed just two runs in his last 13 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Mets at Citi Field. He is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in six starts away from home.

On paper, it appears Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz is in line for a promotion to the majors. He is 6-1 through 11 starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs and has struck out 70 in 61 1/3 innings.

But Pomeranz still has work to do, according to The Denver Post. Sources told the paper Pomeranz remains inconsistent with his fastball and curveball, and he continues to struggle with high pitch counts. 

A league source said the Marlins are willing to listen to trade offers for reliever Ryan Webb, according to MLB.com. Webb is in his first year of arbitration and is eligible for free agency in 2016.

The right-hander is 1-3 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 26 appearances this season. He has a hold and a blown save.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks in his first start of the season.

Kelly held the Diamondbacks to two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings of a 10-3 loss. He allowed an RBI single in the second inning. He struck out two, while throwing 50 of 80 pitches for strikes.

This is expected to Kelly's only start as he was needed to fill in because of a recent doubleheader. He is 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA in 17 appearances. 

For a while, it seemed like Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson was on the fast track to return from Tommy John surgery, as he had managed to avoid any setbacks. That is, until Tuesday, when his rehab debut at Double-A Mobile was cut short due to stiffness in his surgically repaired right elbow.

Despite the setback, manager Kirk Gibson does not seem concerned about his long-term prognosis. He admits that it could delay Hudson's return to the rotation, which looked to be fast approaching prior to Tuesday.

"He was sore," Gibson told MLB.com. "I'm taking an optimistic view on that. He hasn't had any setbacks at all since he's been doing his rehab. I'm confident it'll work out fine. Does this slow him down a little bit? It probably does, yes."

Hudson is scheduled to see Dr. Michael Lee Thursday to determine if there are any structural issues that led to the stiffness in his start. 

The Brewers announced Wednesday starting pitcher prospect Jimmy Nelson was promoted from Double-A Huntsville to Triple-A Nashville. Nelson was 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 12 starts for Huntsville.

The 2010 second-round pick struck out 72 batters and walked just 15 in 69 innings. Nelson is considered the Brewers' eighth-best prospect by MLB.com.