MLB Player News

Graterol (hamstring) did fielding drills, including covering first base, Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Graterol has been ramping up his activity throughout the week, as he also threw a bullpen session Wednesday. He's expected to throw a simulated game this weekend and should head out on a rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Helsley earned the save Thursday, turning in a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts in a 4-1 win over San Diego.

Helsley has now gone eight straight innings without allowing a run, lowering his ERA to 2.38 on the season with a 1.18 WHIP and 62:22 K:BB across 56.2 frames. He's converted an MLB-leading 41 saves in 44 chances.

Beck (arm) made the fifth start of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Sacramento, striking out five over three innings while giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk.

After retiring just five batters while giving up seven runs (six earned) his last time out with Sacramento on Friday, Beck bounced back nicely Wednesday, giving up just one extra-base hit (a solo home run) and spotting 29 of his 41 pitches for strikes. He's now thrown exactly three innings in four of his rehab outings and hasn't thrown more than 56 pitches on any occasion, so the Giants may envision him serving as a multi-inning reliever in September rather than being an option for the rotation. Beck has been on the injured list all season with an upper right arm aneurysm that he addressed through surgery March 4.

Trivino's (elbow) rehab assignment is moving to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Trivino is being moved to Triple-A after making five appearances for Double-A Somerset. He pitched an inning each outing and allowed just one run, which came in the first game. His rehab moving up a level comes with him nearing a possible MLB return from Tommy John surgery.

Cronin was removed from Thursday's game against the Rockies due to an apparent injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cronin was able to remain in the game after his first visit from the Marlins' training staff, though the decision was eventually made to pull him after he had trouble fielding a groundball in the sixth inning. It's not immediately apparent what is bothering the 26-year-old righty, but the team should have more information on his status sometime after the game.

The Astros optioned King to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

This looks like merely a numbers game and King having minor-league options available, as his 2.05 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22 innings doesn't point to a guy deserving of a demotion. King should be back in the Houston bullpen soon enough.

The Astros activated Pressly (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pressly missed just the minimum 15 days while recovering from a lower-back strain. He did not go out on a rehab assignment, but manager Joe Espada is unlikely to shy away from using Pressly in high-leverage spots right away.

The Astros designated Junk for assignment Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jason Heyward. Junk was claimed off waivers earlier this month by the Astros and is now slated to go through the waiver process again.

Joyce struck out two and allowed one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 3-0 win against the Tigers.

Joyce entered with two outs in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and proceeded to strikeout Spencer Torkelson. Joyce then pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up his third save and second straight save of four or more outs. The 23-year-old gave up five runs in his first three appearances this season but has since been dominant, allowing three runs in his last 25 appearances.

The Mets placed Nunez on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right forearm tightness, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Nunez just returned from a forearm issue last Friday and is now headed back to the IL following a recurrence of the injury. He missed nearly a month of action the first time around, but it's not clear how long this stint might last. It's a blow to the Mets' bullpen, as Nunez has been excellent this season with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB over 35 frames.