MLB Player News

Bednar earned the save Wednesday against the Reds, pitching a perfect ninth inning to seal a 1-0 victory.

It's the second straight hitless appearance from Bednar after he allowed home runs in each of his previous two outings. Still, the right-hander has been solid of late following a rocky start to the campaign, allowing just three runs in his last 17.1 innings. Overall, Bednar's converted 16 of 19 save opportunities this year while pitching to a 5.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Fairbanks said his bruised right thumb "felt within the realm of good" after playing catch Wednesday, and he expects to be available for Thursday's series finale in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander departed Tuesday's contest after being struck in the thumb by a comebacker, but it appears he's avoided a serious injury. Jason Adam, Garrett Cleavinger and Colin Poche will likely all be in the mix if a save opportunity arises Wednesday, but Fairbanks should be back on the mound for the Rays within the next couple days.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Wednesday that Coulombe underwent surgery Tuesday to remove bone chips in his left elbow, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Elias said that the Orioles are still hopeful that Coulombe will be able to return to the team's bullpen before the end of the season, though the earliest possible return for the left-hander would likely be sometime in September. A clearer target date for a return timeline may emerge once the 34-year-old is cleared to begin throwing, but he's in line for a long stay on the injured list no matter what.

Suarez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 18th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Phillies.

One day after blowing his first save chance of the season, Suarez was back in his usual form, firing nine of 13 pitches for strikes as he shut down the Phillies' 6-7-8 hitters. The 33-year-old right-hander came into 2024 with only one career save, but he's having a breakout campaign as the Padres' closer, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB through 30.2 innings.

Fairbanks (thumb) was spotted throwing long toss and playing catch on the field prior to Wednesday's game in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays haven't disclosed whether Fairbanks will be available out of the bullpen Wednesday, but his ability to take part in some pregame throwing work one day after being lifted from his appearance in Tuesday's 7-6 loss at least offers hope that he'll avoid a stint on the injured list. After being struck in his pitching hand by a 103-mph comebacker off the bat of Carlos Correa, Fairbanks was diagnosed with a bruised right thumb after X-rays returned negative.

The Guardians recalled McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

McCaughan will be joining the big club for the first time since being acquired from the Marlins on May 9. The 28-year-old right-hander had been starting at Columbus, logging a 5.06 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB in 32 innings. He'll work out of the bullpen in his first stint with Cleveland, joining the relief ranks as a replacement for right-hander Nick Sandlin (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list.

The Guardians placed Sandlin on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with lower back inflammation, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Sandlin's move to the IL comes three days after he was lit up for three earned runs on three hits and two walks while failing to record an out in his relief appearance in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. The Guardians called up right-hander Darren McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus to replace Sandlin in the bullpen.

Petersen (1-0) earned the win over Colorado on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters over two innings.

After being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Petersen saw his first big-league action Tuesday at Coors Field. He entered in the seventh inning with Los Angeles down four runs and allowed the Rockies to increase their lead on a walk, single and sacrifice fly. Petersen returned for the eighth and retired the side in order, then found himself in the win column after the Dodgers pulled ahead with a seven-run ninth frame. Petersen will likely be used mainly in low-leverage spots during his time with the big club.

Ortiz (shoulder/ankle) was removed from his rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley due to forearm soreness, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Ortiz was placed on the 15-day injured list March 31 with a sprained left ankle, but he's now picked up new injuries on both of his rehab assignments. He began his initial assignment in late April, only to get shut down after two appearances with Single-A Clearwater due to right shoulder inflammation. He restarted the assignment June 11 and made three appearances before the forearm issue flared up. The severity of the forearm issue isn't yet fully known, but expect Ortiz to get shut down again for some time before he's cleared to start pitching in rehab games.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Brown (neck) resumed throwing Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Brown landed on the 15-day injured list June 11 with what the Cubs labeled as a stress reaction to the left side of his neck. Counsell said that the pain in Brown's neck is already subsiding, and the fact that the right-hander is throwing again bodes well for his chances of avoiding an extended absence. Jordan Wicks (oblique) was placed on the IL just four days after Brown, so the Cubs have turned back to Kyle Hendricks as their No. 5 starter in the meantime.