MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that O'Brien (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session at Double-A Springfield on Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien will throw approximately 20-to-25 pitches Wednesday, and if all goes well, he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Springfield this weekend. The 29-year-old righty has been on the injured list since late March with a right forearm strain. He's expected to fill a low-leverage role out of the St. Louis bullpen once he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

The Blue Jays are considering recalling Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo soon, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson was pulled from his most recent appearance with Buffalo this past Thursday due to a heat-related illness, but he's expected to be fine. The reliever was dreadful in his first 12 appearances with Buffalo after being sent down May 28, posting a 15.30 ERA and 11:12 K:BB. However, he's turned in consecutive scoreless outings, and his improved form of late seems to have convinced the Blue Jays that he's ready to help out the big-league bullpen.

Foster's (elbow) returned to Chicago on Wednesday after his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte was paused due to a strained back, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Foster will be further examined in Chicago, but he doesn't appear to be dealing with a major setback, as the White Sox haven't ruled out sending him back out on his rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. The right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since September 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery but could be a factor in the White Sox's bullpen in the second half.

Miller (3-2) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the win Tuesday over the Blue Jays.

Miller worked the ninth inning with the Giants down by a run, and they were able to score twice in their half of the frame for the walk-off win. The southpaw's ability to pick up wins has been limited lately, as he saw steady usage as an opening pitcher when San Francisco's rotation was hammered by injuries in June. To his credit, he hasn't taken a loss since May 21, and he's yet to be on the hook for a loss in any of his nine starting assignments. Miller is on an eight-inning scoreless streak that has trimmed his ERA to 3.43 with a 1.19 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB through 42 innings this season. He's added 11 holds and three blown saves.

Barlow (3-3) allowed a walk in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win Tuesday over the Tigers.

Barlow was on the hook for the loss Monday, but he was better Tuesday as the Guardians evened the series at one game apiece. The right-hander's biggest problem this season has been with free passes -- he has a 5.3 BB/9 and a 1.35 WHIP. Barlow is still finding plenty of success with his slider and curveball, which collectively account for nearly 70 percent of his pitches. This is the second year in a row he's had significant struggles with his four-seam fastball, which opponents have batted .360 and slugged .520 against in 2024. With a 3.58 ERA and 17 holds, Barlow has yet to lose out on high-leverage looks, but all of Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Cade Smith have produced better results while seeing similar usage, though Barlow's 12.7 K/9 is tops on the team.

Bednar (oblique) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Altoona.

Bednar was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis, but weather concerns shifted his appearance to Altoona. Regardless, it was a positive outing and he is presumably nearing a return to the big-league mound.

The Royals recalled Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Pennington will give the Royals a fresh arm out of the bullpen for the nightcap before he likely heads back to Omaha on Thursday. The 26-year-old lefty previously made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both of the batters he faced.

Howard is listed as the Guardians' scheduled starter for Thursday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.

For what will be his Guardians debut, Howard will step into the rotation spot vacated by Logan Allen, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Prior to being acquired from the Giants last Friday, Howard had accrued a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 24 innings in seven appearances (two starts) at the big-league level.

The Marlins outrighted Andriese to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Andriese has now cleared waivers twice this season after being removed from Miami's 40-man roster. Andriese could have elected free agency, but he looks as though he'll be receptive to returning to Jacksonville.

Diaz struck out the only batter he faced Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Nationals.

The Mets took a 7-2 lead into the ninth inning, but Reed Garrett made a mess of things and forced manager Carlos Mendoza to turn to his closer with two outs and a runner on first base. Diaz actually allowed the inherited runner to score after Jacob Young took second on defensive indifference and then raced around the bases on a wild pitch, but the right-hander fanned CJ Abrams to end the game. Diaz has gone six straight appearances since returning from his suspension without having a run charged to his own ledger, collecting two wins and four saves during that stretch with a 6:1 K:BB.