MLB Player News

Pressly had his right knee drained Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Pressly hasn't appeared in a game since Sunday, and manager Craig Counsell confirmed after Wednesday's win over the Dodgers that the 36-year-old reliever has been dealing with a knee injury over the past few days. The Cubs are optimistic that he'll be available out of the bullpen when they return to action Friday for a three-game series against Philadelphia. While the right-hander was unavailable, Porter Hodge picked up his first save of the season Wednesday.

Ginkel (shoulder) threw 24 pitches in an extended spring training game Monday, MLB.com reports.

Ginkel will report to Triple-A Reno later this week to begin a rehab assignment. He was shut down shortly before Opening Day due to right shoulder inflammation, but because he's projected to serve as a one- or two-inning reliever, Ginkel won't require much build-up time in the minors. He could be activated from the 15-day injured list at some point next week.

Graveman (back) threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Graveman has been conducting his rehab at the Diamondbacks' spring training facility and is expected to pitch in a simulated game there as part of the next step of his rehab. Graveman will likely then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment before potentially returning from the injured list in early May.

The Astros released Henley on March 12.

Henley reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024, making one appearance in April and getting knocked around for five earned runs on four hits and three walks while recording one out. The Astros sent him back to the minors shortly thereafter and outrighted him off the 40-man roster in June. He remained part of the organization for the remainder of last season and for most of spring training before the Astros elected to part ways with the 27-year-old right-hander. Henley may have to look toward the independent ranks or head overseas if he wants to continue his career.

Matz isn't expected to make his second start of the season until next week's series in Cincinnati, when the Cardinals will shift back to a six-man rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matz had made his first five appearances of the season out of the bullpen before manager Oliver Marmol elected to expand the rotation to six men last week during a busy portion of the schedule. The southpaw was sharp in his first start April 16, claiming a win while limiting the Astros to one run on two hits and no walks over five innings. Despite Matz's strong outing, the Cardinals moved him back to the bullpen to begin the current week, with an off day Thursday allowing the team to temporarily condense the rotation to five men. Matz was called upon in relief in the Cardinals' 10-4 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday, when he recorded his second win of the season while tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. St. Louis will likely stay away from Matz for this weekend's series versus Milwaukee before reinserting him into the rotation early next week.

Mayza (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for roughly six weeks, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

A strained left shoulder sent Mayza to the injured list Saturday, and he appears to be in store for a multi-month absence. He'll be re-evaluated at the end of his six-week rest period, at which point he may be cleared to begin a throwing program.

The Rangers designated Pennington for assignment Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers selected Nick Ahmed to the active roster Wednesday to make up for Corey Seager's (hamstring) move to the IL, leaving Pennington as the odd man out of a spot on the 40-man. The 27-year-old southpaw hasn't appeared in a minor-league game yet this season, though other teams may be willing to pick him up off waivers based on his career 2.83 ERA and 1.17 WHIP at the Triple-A level.

Pagan worked a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The veteran right-hander needed only nine pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch the heart of Miami's order on three fly balls to right field. Pagan continues to get the job done as Cincinnati's closer, posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB through 11.1 innings while converting five of six save chances.

Ellard (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ellard landed on the 15-day injured list April 11 due to a right hamstring injury, and he's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment with Charlotte. He logged a 5.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across five innings out of the White Sox's bullpen before landing on the IL.

Imaging done on Marsh's right shoulder Tuesday was inconclusive, so he'll head back to Kansas City for further evaluation, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Marsh has been shut down from throwing since April 5 after suffering a setback in his shoulder, and he'll now have to wait a bit longer before receiving a verdict on whether he can resume his rehab program. If his next round of testing delivers promising results, the Royals aim to have him throwing again sometime this weekend.