MLB Player News

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien has been cleared for game action with Springfield after he threw live batting practice for the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate earlier this week. The right-hander has been on the shelf since March 31 with a forearm strain, so he'll presumably require multiple rehab outings in the minors before he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Gallegos (shoulder) is scheduled to make a one-inning rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos has already made five appearances between Springfield and Triple-A Memphis since landing on the 15-day injured list May 6 with a right shoulder impingement, but he presumably needs to turn in better results before he's reinstated. While covering 5.1 innings during his rehab assignment, Gallegos has given up five earned runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks while striking out four. He's shown improvement lately with two straight clean appearances, and another strong showing Friday could be enough for him to get activated.

Reds manager David Bell said Spiers will start Monday's game in Pittsburgh, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Spiers was called up from Triple-A Louisville last Sunday and was immediately put to work in long relief later that day in the Reds' series finale against the Cubs. With starter Frankie Montas getting chased from the game midway through the top of the second, Spiers stepped in and struck out seven batters over 5.2 shutout innings while allowing just six baserunners. Prior to the call-up, Spiers had already been stretched out as a starter at Louisville and compiled a 2.51 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 46.2 innings, and on the heels of his impressive showing out of the bullpen, he'll now get a chance to fill the opening in the big-league rotation that was created by Graham Ashcraft's recent demotion. Nick Martinez had worked as a primary pitcher behind an opener the last time Ashcraft's turn came up Tuesday versus the Guardians, but he'll presumably move into a more traditional bullpen role now that Spiers has been awarded a start.

Akin (2-0) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over 1.1 innings, picking up a blown save but earning the win and over Atlanta on Wednesday.

Akin ended up squandering a two-run lead when he gave up a home run to Matt Olson in the top of the eighth inning. The Orioles got it right back on a Colton Cowser blast in their half of the frame, and Craig Kimbrel closed out the win. Akin has had a mild case of reverse splits this year -- lefties are hitting .245 off the southpaw, while right-handed batters have hit just .206. Overall, he's pitching better to all hitters this season, and he has a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB over 32.2 innings in a low-leverage role. Akin may see slightly tougher matchups moving forward, as he is one of two southpaws left in the bullpen, along with Cionel Perez, to cover for the absence of Danny Coulombe (elbow), who is expected to have a relatively short stay on the injured list.

Altavilla (0-1) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Yankees.

The initial plan was likely for Altavilla to throw an inning or two, but the Yankees jumped on him right away. For now, Altavilla will remain in the majors -- Daniel Lynch was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, but the Royals will need a fifth starter late next week. Expect Altavilla to remain in low-leverage usage as long as he's in the majors.

Thornton (3-1) got the win over the White Sox on Wednesday, firing a scoreless ninth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

It was a bit of welcome deja vu for Thornton on Wednesday, as he captured a victory against the White Sox via a crisp 11-pitch outing for the second straight night. The right-hander has lowered his ERA and WHIP down to 3.30 and 1.03, respectively, impressive figures that complement his trio of victories and eight holds across 30 appearances.

The Pirates optioned Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Ryan had just been called up Tuesday and didn't make an appearance during his most recent stint with the big club. He was removed from the 26-man active roster to make room in the bullpen for right-hander Dennis Santana, who will be available for Thursday's game agains the Cardinals after being claimed off waivers from the Yankees earlier this week.

Kopech struck out two and walked one without allowing a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Mariners.

Kopech imploded to allow three earned runs and blow a lead in an appearance Monday, but he managed to bounce back in this outing. He entered the game with the score tied at 1-1 and turned in just his third scoreless effort in his last five appearances. Kopech remains the White Sox's primary closer, though his last save came on May 15.

The Royals recalled Veneziano from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

He'll join the Royals ahead of Thursday's series finale with the Yankees to provide the big club with a fresh arm out of the bullpen. Veneziano has made two prior relief appearances with Kansas City but has otherwise served as a swingman for Omaha this season, logging a 3.38 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 30:19 K:BB across 37.1 innings covering 17 outings (five starts) at Triple-A.

Finnegan gave up a solo home run and struck out one in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his 19th save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Tigers.

Riley Greene took Finnegan deep with one out to make things interesting, but the right-hander slammed the door shut from there. Finnegan has served up three homers in his last 10 appearances, a worrying trend, but those account for the only three earned runs he's allowed during that stretch. On the season, he sports a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB through 28.1 innings.