MLB Player News
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Michael Kopech RP | LAD
Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Throwing side sessions
Kopech (knee) tossed a bullpen session Friday and could be close to facing hitters, MLB.com reports.
Kopech has been shelved due to a torn meniscus in his right knee since late June. He's currently on the 60-day injured list and isn't eligible to be activated until the final week of the August. Nonetheless, he appears to be making progress in his recovery and may be ready for a minor-league rehab stint in the not-too-distant future.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAD
Dodgers' Kirby Yates: Tosses side session
Yates (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.
Yates landed on the injured list Aug. 1 due to lower-back pain, and his ability to resume throwing off a mound suggests he's feeling better. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Friday that Yates is closer to being activated than the team's other injured relievers (Michael Kopech (knee) and Tanner Scott (elbow)), though it's unclear if Yates will be ready to return when he's first eligible Aug. 13. Regardless, it's evident that the veteran right-hander isn't expected to face an extended absence.
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Fernando Cruz RP | NYY
Yankees' Fernando Cruz: Will face hitters Sunday
Cruz (oblique) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session with Double-A Somerset on Sunday, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports.
Cruz has been on the injured list since June 30 due to a severe left oblique strain. He began throwing bullpen sessions in late July and has shown enough progress to advance to facing hitters. Since Cruz's absence has already lasted over a month, he'll likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to rejoin the Yankees. Nonetheless, a return before the end of August is feasible.
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Casey Kelly RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Casey Kelly: Back in minors
The Diamondbacks optioned Kelly to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.
Kelly pitched 1.2 scoreless innings over two appearances during his stint with the D-backs, but a need for fresh arms will cause him to head back to Triple-A in favor of Juan Burgos. Kelly owns a 5.82 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through 85 innings at Reno this season, but his strong MLB outings could keep him in consideration for a return to Arizona at some point.
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Juan Burgos RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Juan Burgos: Recalled to majors
The Diamondbacks recalled Burgos from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.
Since joining the Diamondbacks organization via the Eugenio Suarez trade, Burgos has given up two earned runs over 3.1 innings at Triple-A Reno. He'll now join Arizona's bullpen for the first time to provide a fresh middle-relief arm, taking the place of Casey Kelly.
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Hogan Harris RP | ATH
Athletics' Hogan Harris: Back in majors
The Athletics recalled Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.
With Luis Severino (oblique) headed for the IL, Harris will return to the big club to provide the team with extra bullpen depth while the A's work out who will take the open rotation spot. The 28-year-old southpaw owns a 4.35 ERA through 41.1 innings in the majors this season and will likely be limited to middle-relief duties.
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Sean Reynolds RP | SD
Padres' Sean Reynolds: Sent down to El Paso
The Padres optioned Reynolds to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.
The 27-year-old righty will lose his place on the big-league pitching staff due to Michael King (shoulder) returning from the injured list Saturday. Reynolds carries a 5.55 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 24.1 innings in the majors this season but remains an option to return to San Diego down the stretch whenever the Friars need a fresh bullpen arm.
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Reed Garrett RP | NYM
Mets' Reed Garrett: Opening Saturday
Garrett will open Saturday's game against the Brewers, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Garrett will move out of his traditional high-leverage relief role to pitch the first inning of Saturday's contest, marking his first career start in the majors. The 32-year-old righty sports a 2.51 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 46.2 innings on the year and will likely make it through just one inning before handing the game over to Frankie Montas for bulk-relief work.
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Ryan Brasier RP | CHC
Cubs' Ryan Brasier: Allows two more runs Friday
Brasier allowed two runs on three hits across an inning of relief in Friday's 5-0 loss to the Cardinals. He struck out two.
Brasier allowed at least one run in a third straight appearance, and over his last five outings, he's allowed a total of eight earned runs. Before the rough patch, the veteran righty had a 0.93 ERA for the season, but that's climbed to 3.91. Brasier should still see some important innings out of Chicago's bullpen moving forward, though he won't get save opportunities with Daniel Palencia emerging as the team's closer. New acquisitions Taylor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge also figure to see more high-leverage work than Brasier, which limits the latter's fantasy appeal.
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Tyler Zuber RP | MIA
Marlins' Tyler Zuber: Joining big club
The Marlins recalled Zuber from Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.
Zuber will join the Marlins for the first time since being claimed off waivers in early July to replace Anthony Bender (paternity). Zuber, 30, gave up two runs in two innings during his time with the Mets but has turned in a 3.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP through 10 innings at Jacksonville.