MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Reyes to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reyes had a good showing during his spot start Wednesday, but he'll head back to Triple-A as the Mets opt to boost their bullpen by calling up Grant Hartwig. Reyes holds a 6.23 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 17 innings in the majors and would likely only return to the big-league club for depth purposes.

The Mets recalled Hartwig from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Hartwig has allowed four runs in three innings with Syracuse since being optioned Aug. 18. Nonetheless, he'll come up from the minors to give the Mets a fresh bullpen arm, replacing Denyi Reyes.

Burdi (abdomen) resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi's rehab assignment was paused last week due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm, but he's now ready to rejoin Iowa and is expected to pitch in a game Sunday. He'll likely make a couple of appearances in Triple-A before returning to Chicago.

Hughes (knee) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes has been on the injured list since June while recovering from a procedure on his left knee. He began throwing off a mound Aug. 15 and started facing hitters again Monday, and he's now set for the final stage of his recovery process. Hughes will likely need to make multiple appearances in the minors before returning to Chicago's bullpen.

The Cardinals transferred Zuniga (forearm) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

A right forearm strain forced Zuniga onto the IL on Sunday, so his move to the 60-day IL will officially put an end to his season. The 24-year-old righty gave up one run in two innings with the Cardinals, and he logged a 7.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP through 30.2 frames in Triple-A this season. Mike Siani was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati to fill Zuniga's 40-man roster spot.

The Brewers optioned Bukauskas to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

In order to make room for Colin Rea on the active roster, Bukauskas will end up being pushed back to the minors Saturday. The 26-year-old reliever holds a 4.38 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 37 innings in Triple-A this season and hasn't appeared in a major-league game since July 4.

The Marlins sent Lopez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Johnny Cueto (illness) returning from the injured list Saturday, Lopez will head back to the minors to free up a spot on the roster. The 30-year-old reliever is out of minor-league options and will have to pass through waivers before he can reach Jacksonville. He's allowed 12 runs in 11.2 innings since joining the Marlins in July.

Kelly (forearm) threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kelly reportedly used his entire pitch mix in the session, which is a good indication that he is progressing well in his recovery from forearm inflammation. Per the Associated Press, the veteran reliever touched the mid-90s on his fastball, approaching the upper-90s velocity he's hovered around this season. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic previously reported that Kelly could face hitters as soon as this coming Tuesday.

Smith gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Mariners. He struck out one.

Neither Adam Ottavino not Brooks Raley has seen a heavy workload this week and both hadn't pitched since Wednesday, so Smith's usage here is a signal that manager Buck Showalter could be thinking about making the right-hander part of the closing committee in September. It's curious timing, as Smith had served up homers in each of his prior two appearances and posted a 4.09 ERA in August, but the team might be focused more on his 15:4 K:BB through 11 innings on the month.

Hatch is listed as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Hatch will be opener for the Pirates for the second time this season, after he previously tossed three scoreless innings in an Aug. 21 matchup with the Cardinals. Since that time, Hatch has made three relief appearances for the Pirates, the most recent of which was a one-inning outing Wednesday. He should be able to give the Pirates around 2-to-3 innings Saturday before likely giving way to Bailey Falter, whom Hatch opened for back on Aug. 21.