MLB Player News

Kinley (elbow) will make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Kelsey Wingert-Linch of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

Kinley is getting the green light for game action a little over a week after landing on the 15-day injured list. He's eligible for activation Friday and appears on track to rejoin the Colorado bullpen that day if Tuesday's outing goes smoothly.

Kranick (elbow) struck out four and gave up one hit and one walk over 2.2 scoreless innings Friday in his rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis.

Kranick was lit up for five earned runs while recording just four outs in his first rehab start for Single-A Bradenton on Aug. 13, but he's bounced back well over his subsequent two outings, striking out six while issuing just one walk in 5.2 innings. The right-hander is working his way back from Tommy John surgery in June of 2022 and looks as though he's being built back up to a starting role, as he tossed 44 pitches Friday. Kranick will likely make at least two or three more rehab appearances for Indianapolis before the Pirates entertain the possibility of bringing him back from the 60-day injured list.

Hughes (knee) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs relayed that Hughes' throwing session went well, but the club has yet to reveal whether the southpaw is ready to take the next step in his recovery from left knee surgery, which would be pitching in minor-league rehab games. Hughes had the knee procedure in June and will likely require several outings in the minors to get fully ramped up before the Cubs are comfortable adding him back to their bullpen.

Helsley (forearm) said he's expecting to be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Helsley was recently pulled off his minor-league assignment for about a week after experiencing pain in his forearm during his Aug. 18 outing with Double-A Springfield, but he rejoined the affiliate over the weekend and made a one-inning appearance Sunday, giving up two earned runs on three hits while striking out a batter. Though he wasn't at his sharpest Sunday, Helsey indicated that so long as he bounces back well from that rehab outing when he's re-evaluated Monday and Tuesday, he'll be on track to rejoin the St. Louis bullpen by the middle of the week. Helsley logged seven saves in 11 chances before landing on the IL in June, but the Cardinals could elect to ease him back into the closer role coming off the lengthy absence.

The Brewers recalled Bukauskas from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Bukauskas will provide the Brewers with a fresh arm out of the bullpen heading into Monday's series opener with the Cubs after the team needed four relievers to cover the final seven innings of Sunday's 10-6 win over the Padres. The Brewers required extra work from their bullpen because starter Adrian Houser (elbow) exited the contest after recording just two outs. Houser was moved to the 15-day injured list Monday to clear a spot on the active roster for Bukauskas.

The Cardinals optioned Naile to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

With St. Louis bringing right-hander Drew VerHagen (personal) back from the bereavement list, Naile will return to the minors after a one-day stint with the Cardinals. Naile appeared out of the bullpen in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Phillies, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames.

The Cardinals reinstated VerHagen (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.

He'll be available out of the bullpen for Monday's series opener versus the Padres after he was away from the team for the past three days while tending to a personal matter. The Cardinals optioned James Naile to Triple-A Memphis to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for VerHagen.

Diaz (knee) threw a bullpen session Sunday and sported a fastball that sat around 93-to-95 miles per hour, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.

Diaz averaged 99 mph with his heater during the 2022 season, but Ragazzo notes that the right-hander didn't appear to be throwing at 100 percent effort. In any case, Diaz has reached a major milestone in his recovery from patellar tendon surgery by completing a bullpen session for the first time since suffering the knee injury in mid-March while playing for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. As has been the case since he underwent surgery, Diaz remained adamant Monday that his goal is to pitch again for the Mets in 2023. Even though the club isn't in playoff contention, Diaz could still get the green light to pitch for the big club in the closing weeks of the season if he navigates his throwing progression without any complications.

The Nationals transferred Edwards (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Edwards had been on the 15-day IL since June 21, so his move to the 60-day IL won't affect his timeline for a return but will open up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Drew Millas, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester. Though Edwards began a rehab assignment two weeks ago, he made three appearances before suffering a setback with his right shoulder. He's since been diagnosed with a stress fracture, and it's unclear if he'll be able to pitch again at any point in 2023.

Wilson (1-2) took the loss and was tagged with a blown save Sunday against Milwaukee, giving up four runs on one hit and three walks over one-third of an inning.

Wilson couldn't find the plate against the Brewers, throwing just seven of 20 pitches for a strike and walking a trio of batters. One of the free passes was intentional, but that doesn't do much to soften the extent of the reliever's struggles. Wilson came into the contest with the Padres up 4-2, and he left having given up the lead, though there were already two runners on base upon his entrance. Despite the poor outing, Wilson figures to continue to hold a prominent place in the San Diego's bullpen. He's posted a 3.91 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB over 53 innings on the campaign while notching a team-leading 22 holds.