MLB Player News

Pivetta (forearm) progressed to throwing from 90 feet with some intensity June 10, per MLB.com.

Pivetta has been on the shelf due to a right flexor strain since mid-April. He resumed a throwing program by playing catch May 29 and has since ramped up his throwing distance and intensity, though he's yet to get back on a mound. Pivetta still has several obstacles to clear and isn't likely to return to the Padres' rotation until sometime after the All-Star break.

The Rockies sent Bellozo outright to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Bellozo was jettisoned off the Rockies' 40-man roster after posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 52 innings in the minors. No team was willing to pick him up off waivers, so the 26-year-old righty will remain in the organization as rotation depth at Albuquerque. Eiberson Castellano was selected to the MLB roster in a corresponding move.

The Rockies optioned Criswell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Criswell turned in scoreless frames in both of his appearances after being recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, but he'll be sent back down so the Rockies can get a fresh bullpen arm in the form of Eiberson Castellano. Criswell hasn't performed nearly as well at Albuquerque this season (nine earned runs in 10.2 IP), but his performance with the Rockies could keep him in consideration for a return to Colorado later in the year.

The Rockies selected Castellano's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Castellano has spent most of the season at Double-A Hartford, though he made his last appearance at Albuquerque and pitched six shutout innings while striking out seven batters and allowing three men to reach base. The 25-year-old will now get a chance to show what he can do in the majors while presumably working in a long-relief role. Jeff Criswell was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Castellano on the active roster, and Valente Bellozo was outrighted to Albuquerque to free up a 40-man spot.

Sewald struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save in Friday's win over Cincinnati.

Sewald needed eight pitches to strike out Dane Myers to lead off the inning, but it took just five more offerings for Sewald to collect the final two outs and lock down his 16th save of the season -- good for fourth in the National League. The 36-year-old righty has been much more effective recently than his 3.20 ERA might suggest, allowing just one run and striking out nine batters across his last 10 innings.

The Pirates placed Dotel on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.

Dotel gave up four earned runs in just 1.2 innings during his appearance Friday, and his strained lat may have been a factor in his poor performance. He'll now remain out until at least June 28, and the Pirates will bring up Brandan Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill the void in their bullpen.

The Pirates recalled Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Bidois was sent down to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll turn around and head right back to Pittsburgh following Wilber Dotel's (lat) move to the injured list Saturday. Bidois has turned in a 4.05 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 13.1 innings with the Pirates this season, but a 7.08 FIP will likely ensure he remains far away from high-leverage opportunities.

The Nationals recalled Poulin from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Poulin will return to Washington's bullpen after giving up three earned runs in five innings since his demotion to Triple-A in late May. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 3.28 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 24.2 frames with the Nationals this season and will presumably work in middle relief as long as he's with the big club.

The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Mattson will rejoin the Pirates' bullpen after posting a 1.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings since being optioned to Triple-A on May 20. Antwone Kelly was optioned to Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Walker struck out one in a scoreless inning during Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs.

Walker was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and immediately made an appearance for San Francisco. The right-hander posted a 6.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 15.1 innings before being optioned to Sacramento on May 10, though he was solid in his return to the big leagues. Walker threw 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes and will attempt to build on the performance in hopes of earning more high-leverage opportunities moving forward.