MLB Player News

Poche (back) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Poche had made little progress since suffering a back injury in late April, but he felt good after his throwing session Wednesday. He'll continue to ramp up in the hopes of facing hitters by May 30 as the next step in his recovery.

Atlanta optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Atlanta opted to keep Hernandez around for a bit after he was initially called up from Gwinnett to serve as the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Padres, but he'll now head back to the minors to make room for Thursday's starter, AJ Smith-Shawver, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Hernandez has allowed one unearned run over two relief innings with the big club this season.

Devenski (knee) threw three innings and allowed one earned run on two hits while striking out three during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Devenski is set to work in long relief upon his activation from the injured list, so he needed some additional time to work up his pitch count on his rehab assignment. According to MLB.com, the Rays were likely satisfied with what they saw in his outing Wednesday, meaning Devenski should be activated for the team's weekend series against the Royals.

Miller will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mason Black had been lined up to start Thursday, but he could be deployed as a bulk reliever in the series finale once Miller exits the contest. Miller has been used as an opener once previously this season, throwing a scoreless inning in Boston back on May 1.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Brown will start Thursday's game against Atlanta at Wrigley Field, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Brown will pick up his fifth start of the season, filling the spot in the rotation that belonged to Kyle Hendricks before the veteran right-hander was moved to the bullpen earlier this week. Because he hasn't started since May 2 and will be pitching on three days' rest after covering two frames in relief Sunday, Brown may not be asked to give the Cubs more than three or four innings as he re-enters the rotation. Hendricks hasn't been used since his last start Friday and could be called upon to piggyback Brown, but Counsell hasn't outlined his plans for when Brown exits the contest. Brown may not be in line for a lengthy stay in the rotation, as the Cubs could get Jordan Wicks (forearm) back from the injured list next week to take over as their No. 5 starter.

Newcomb (knee) allowed two runs over one inning in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Newcomb had his first rehab outing over the weekend with the Arizona Complex League Athletics before moving up to a higher affiliate. Making his way back from left knee inflammation, Newcomb will probably need a couple more rehab appearances before Oakland adds him to their active roster.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Roycroft served as the 27th man for the Cardinals on Wednesday and didn't make an appearance. The big right-hander will rejoin the bullpen at Memphis.

Spence did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over three innings while striking out four.

Spence got knocked around early, surrendering a leadoff single to Charlie Blackmon to open the contest, followed by a two-run shot off the bat of Elias Diaz three batters later. Those would be the only two runs allowed by the right-hander on the night, though he continued to struggle with his command, needing 27 pitches to get through the third inning alone. Spence has been unable to get through five innings in either of his first two starts and also matched his season high with three walks Wednesday.

Walker (4-2) pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out one, earning the extra-inning win over the Pirates on Wednesday.

Walker kept the game tied in the ninth inning, and the Giants' offense exploded in the 10th to make him the pitcher of record. The right-hander has stumbled a little recently, allowing two runs over his last five innings, but he also has a 7:0 K:BB and three holds in that span. Walker is getting the job done with a 2.42 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB over 26 innings this season. He's added seven holds and one blown save while not seeing a lot of late-inning work, but his elite strikeout numbers make him an interesting option in all NL-only formats and some deeper mixed leagues as well.

Scott earned the save Wednesday against Milwaukee, allowing one hit and no walks across a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

Scott is now 6-for-7 on save chances this season and has added four tallies in the win column. The 29-year-old has been charged with at least one earned run in just two of his 21 appearances, owning a 1.71 ERA with a 22:18 K:BB across 21.0 innings.