MLB Player News

Kranick (elbow) is slated to begin facing hitters in two weeks, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Kranick threw a bullpen session at PNC Park on Friday as he continues to ramp up his rehab from last June's Tommy John surgery. He'll eventually go out on a rehab assignment, but that likely won't happen until after the All-Star break. Kranick could make a late-season return, but the Pirates probably aren't counting on him to really contribute until 2024.

Alvarado (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and called up from Double-A Reading on Friday.

Alvarado will return to the big-league roster after missing just under one month while nursing a left elbow injury. The 28-year-old appeared in two games with Reading, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out a batter over two innings. The left-hander has produced a sparkling 0.63 ERA and 0.63 WHIP with 24 punchouts over 14.1 frames in 14 appearances with the Phillies in 2023, and he should step right back into a high-leverage role. In a corresponding move, right-hander Connor Brogdon was optioned to Triple-A.

Philadelphia optioned Brogdon to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Jose Alvarado (elbow) has been activated off the injured list in a corresponding move. Brogdon gave up two earned runs in one inning of relief in his most recent appearance and holds a 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 29 major-league innings this year.

Gonzalez will serve as an opener for the Dogers on Friday in Philadelphia, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Michael Grove had been the projected starter but instead will now be in line for bulk relief innings. With Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper slated to hit for the Phils in the first inning, using the left-handed Gonzalez as an opener makes sense.

Winder was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Winder made one appearance for the Twins back in late April but has spent the bulk of the year with St. Paul, holding a 6.52 ERA and 20:13 K:BB over 19.1 innings. The righty's full-time move to relief this season hasn't gone terribly well and he figures to be used in low-leverage situations.

Thielbar was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right oblique strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielbar returned from the same injury this past weekend and made just one appearance before evidently suffering a setback. He missed more than a month with the issue the first time around. Josh Winder is taking Thielbar's spot in the bullpen.

Muckenhirn could be in line for a promotion to the majors, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets are in need of a fresh bullpen arm and Muckenhirn appears to be the likely choice. The left-hander has yielded one run over 3.2 innings at the big-league level this season.

White (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Friday.

White has been on the shelf all season due to a right shoulder impingement and was pulled off his rehab assignment May 19 because of fatigue in the same shoulder. Now that he's officially off the injured list, he will likely join the Jays' bullpen in a multi-inning relief role. White logged a 7.74 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 43 innings with Toronto last season.

Bass was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday.

Bass has put up a 4.95 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB over 20 relief innings with the Jays this season. He also was recently reprimanded, although not suspended, after sharing an anti-LGBTQIA+ video on social media. Bass will now go through the waiver process.

Karcher was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Karcher was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason and will now get a chance to make his major-league debut. The 25-year-old has big stuff but often doesn't know where it's going, posting a 9.27 ERA and 31:34 K:BB over 22.1 innings with Louisville.