MLB Player News

Suarez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, per MLB.com.

This is a significant step toward a return for Suarez, who has yet to pitch this season as a result of right elbow inflammation that first occurred during spring training. The right-hander is likely still weeks away from a return, and it is unclear when he may be able to begin a rehab assignment.

Brebbia will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cubs, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Brebbia will be working as an opener for the sixth time this season, but he shouldn't be expected to cover more than an inning or two before giving way to the bullpen. The Giants haven't formally appointed a pitcher to work in bulk relief behind Brebbia, but Jakob Junis -- who hasn't appeared in a game since last Sunday -- looks like an option to eat innings out of the bullpen.

Richards will start Saturday's game against the Twins, though he isn't expected to throw more than three innings, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Richards will make the start which would have previously gone to Alek Manoah, who was demoted after struggling to a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts. Richards has starting experience, with 56 of his 200 MLB appearances coming in that role, but he's likely to wind up somewhere between an opener and a true starter in Saturday's contest given that he's exclusively pitched in relief this season, only once recording more than six outs. Bowden Francis and Mitch White are available to provide length behind him. Whether the Blue Jays elect to build Richards up to a starter's workload and keep him in the rotation going forward or move him back to the bullpen following Saturday's outing remains to be seen.

Curry (3-0) allowed an unearned run on one hit over one inning to earn the win in Friday's 14-inning 10-9 win over the Astros.

The Guardians weren't quite out of bullpen options by the 14th inning, but putting Curry in was likely to eat innings if the marathon game continued. He gave up an RBI single to Kyle Tucker, but Cleveland rallied for two runs to end the contest. Curry has earned all three of his wins this season over his last four appearances despite allowing three runs (two earned) over seven innings in that span. He's at a 2.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB over 32.1 innings overall as a long-relief option.

Tapia was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Tapia had a 1.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in six innings across four appearances since getting recalled May 27, but he also had five walks and just two strikeouts over that stretch. Luis Garcia (oblique) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Garcia (oblique) was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

He ends up missing just over the minimum amount of IL time with a mild oblique injury. Garcia has a streak of 11 straight appearances without allowing an earned run and has 11 strikeouts and one win in 10.2 innings over that stretch.

Kuhnel was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

He gave up a hit and a walk with zero strikeouts in 1.1 innings Friday after getting recalled and will head right back to Triple-A. Kevin Herget was recalled to take Kuhnel's low-leverage relief role.

Herget was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Herget did not pitch in a minor-league game since he was optioned Monday, but he gave up nine earned runs while striking out three in 10 innings over seven appearances in his most recent stint with the big-league bullpen. Joel Kuhnel was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Vespi was recalled Friday and didn't pitch in that game before getting a quick ticket back to Norfolk. He has a 1.77 ERA and seven saves in 20.1 innings across 19 appearances out of the Triple-A bullpen.

Yates (2-0) picked up the win in Friday's victory over the Nationals, striking out two in a perfect eighth inning.

The veteran righty got the call with Atlanta down 2-1, and after shutting down the Nats on 16 pitches (11 strikes) he was rewarded when the offense produced two runs in the bottom of the frame. Yates' control still comes and goes as he returns to regular duty for the first time since 2019, but he has emerged as a solid option since the beginning of May, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB over his last 12.2 innings.