MLB Player News

Sims (1-0) blew the save but picked up the win Wednesday against Texas. He struck out two over a scoreless inning.

Sims came on in relief in the ninth inning after Ian Gibault departed with runners on first and second and no outs. He'd allow a sacrifice fly to Brad Miller, tieing the game 3-3, before recording a pair of strikeouts to avoid further damage. Sims has made four appearances this season without allowing a run, striking out four in 3.2 innings. Sims is arguably the Reds' best option in the bullpen behind Alexis Diaz, though he doesn't have a clear path towards fantasy relevance.

Graterol (personal) is expected to return from the paternity list for Friday's game against the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Graterol has been away from the Dodgers since Tuesday. The right-hander should be back for the series against St. Louis and pitching in a high-leverage role. Max Muncy is also expected back Friday for the Dodgers.

The Pirates placed Crowe on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder discomfort, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Crowe had been knocked around in his last two appearances out of the bullpen and is now in for an extended absence. The Pirates haven't provided a timeline for Crowe's return from the IL.

The Padres recalled Cosgrove from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Cosgrove will head to the big leagues for the first time since entering the professional ranks in 2017 as a 12th-round draft pick. He'll be joining the San Diego bullpen as another left-handed option after southpaw Ryan Weathers was sent to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Over his seven appearances with El Paso this season, Cosgrove struck out seven and had allowed just five baserunners in 7.1 innings.

The Pirates selected Bolton's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Bolton officially is up from Indianapolis to replace Wil Crowe, who as placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort. Now that he's with the Pirates, Bolton will likely serve as a middle-innings arm out of the bullpen.

The Padres optioned Weathers to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Even though Weathers fared well over his first three starts of the season with the big club (2.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP in 16 innings), the Padres had no room for him in the rotation following Joe Musgrove's recent return from the injured list. Weathers was able to stick with the Padres over the past week in a relief role, but since the organization still wants the 23-year-old lefty to continue his development as a starter, he'll head back to El Paso to make regular turns through the rotation. The Friars recalled lefty Tom Cosgrove from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Clase picked up the save during Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Rockies, tossing a scoreless ninth inning in which he allowed one hit and didn't record a strikeout.

Clase entered with a three-run lead in the ninth and retired the first two batters on groundouts before Alan Trejo pushed a base hit through the infield. The hard-throwing right-hander induced a flyball from Brenton Doyle to end the game, giving Clase eight saves in nine chances. The closer hasn't allowed an earned run in eight appearances, but he's also failed to record a strikeout in five straight games. Regardless, Clase remains one of the elite relief pitchers in the game. His strikeout numbers should rise as the season progresses.

Heuer (elbow) threw a 25-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Heuer said he felt good during and after the workout and added that he's lined up for another simulated game in the next few days. Nearing the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last March, the 26-year-old reliever should be an option for the Cubs in the early part of the summer.

Fleming is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind starter Calvin Faucher in Wednesday's game against the Astros, Marc Topkin and Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times report.

Faucher built up to 46 pitches in his second start of the season last weekend against the White Sox and is returning to the hill on four days' rest, so he and Fleming could be used in more of a piggyback arrangement rather than an "opener"/"primary pitcher" pairing. In that same game against the White Sox, Fleming came on in relief of Faucher to strike out three batters over three scoreless innings, but he didn't factor into the decision. Another 3-to-4-inning workload could be on tap for Fleming on Wednesday.

The Dodgers optioned Jackson to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Jackson looked like a candidate to fill multiple innings behind starter Tony Gonsolin (ankle) in the latter's return from the injured list Wednesday against the Pirates, but Jackson will instead be sent back to Triple-A to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Gonsolin. Over his 11.1 innings out of the Los Angeles bullpen this season, Jackson has posted a 7.94 ERA.