MLB Player News

Kimbrel worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the save in Tuesday's win over the Pirates. He struck out one.

Kimbrel continued his excellent run to begin the season, as he now has 10 saves in 12 opportunities to go along with a 0.90 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. The veteran reliever is also once again striking out batters at an incredible rate, as he has 33 whiffs through 20 innings. Kimbrel struggled the last two years in Chicago, but he's looked like his old, dominant self in 2021.

Rodriguez (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and could be activated from the injured list by the end of the week, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 23-year-old has thrown three bullpen sessions over the past week and appears to be in the final stages of his rehab before returning from the injured list. Rodriguez has a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 15.2 innings this season, but he's been on the shelf since May 6 with right shoulder irritation.

Karinchak earned the save Tuesday after tossing a scoreless inning against the Tigers. He allowed one hit and a walk while striking out one.

It wasn't the sharpest outing for the right-hander, who actually allowed an inherited runner to score after starting pitcher Aaron Civale was pulled in the ninth. Regardless, Karinchak worked out of a bases-loaded jam to slam the door on Detroit, picking up his sixth save of the year. While he doesn't hold the closer title in Cleveland, the 25-year-old has posted spectacular numbers otherwise, compiling a 1.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 39:10 K:BB across 21.2 innings of work.

Graterol (forearm) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The right-hander threw began throwing bullpen sessions last week and completed another session Tuesday. Graterol has been on the injured list for a month with right forearm soreness, and he'll likely require a couple appearances in the minors before being activated.

Rainey was cleared to return to the Nationals from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and will be evaluated by trainers before being officially activated, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The reliever was given the green light to return to the Nationals' clubhouse Tuesday, but the club declined to officially activate him prior to Tuesday's game against the Reds. Expect a roster move in the coming days.

Swanson secured his second hold in a win over the Athletics on Monday, issuing a walk and recording three strikeouts.

Swanson got 11 of his 18 pitches into the strike zone while lowering his ERA to 0.77. The right-hander has put together five consecutive scoreless appearances, a stretch during which he's notched a pair of holds and an 8:3 K:BB over five innings.

Tate (hamstring) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Tate has been out since early May with a strained left hamstring strain. The Orioles have yet to decide how many rehab outings he'll need, but it's possible he returns to the team after just one.

Yamamoto was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder soreness, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

It was reported Monday that Yamamoto was expected to land on the injured list after leaving his start early on Sunday with the shoulder discomfort. With Jacob deGrom being activated ahead of his Tuesday start, Yamamoto has officially been added to the Mets' lengthy injured list. It's unclear when Yamamoto will return, not to mention whether he will do so as a reliever or starter.

Manager Jayce Tingler said Tuesday that Pomeranz (lat) suffered a setback while facing live hitters over the weekend and will be shut down from throwing for about a week, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

This is tough news for the Padres, as the southpaw is a key cog out of the Friars' bullpen when healthy. San Diego will hope to have the left hander resume throwing by the beginning of June, though no timetable is set in stone at this point.

The Cubs designated Adam (ankle) for assignment Tuesday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The move comes three days after Adam underwent left ankle surgery. Adam figures to clear waivers, considering the injury and his struggles at the big-league level this season. The Cubs needed to remove him from the 40-man roster to make room for Patrick Wisdom, whom they recalled Tuesday for added infield depth.