MLB Player News

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

Knack threw five innings of one-run ball during his last start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, but he will head back to the minors nonetheless. His demotion will allow J.P. Feyereisen to come up from the minors while also opening a spot in the Dodgers' rotation -- potentially pointing toward Walker Buehler (elbow) making his season debut Monday against the Marlins.

Glasnow (hand) is scheduled to start Saturday's game against Atlanta at Dodger Stadium, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Glasnow experienced hand cramps in his most recent start April 27, but he'll be ready to go on six days' rest in a series featuring two of the National League's top teams. The right-hander has gotten off to an excellent start to his tenure with the Dodgers, going 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 53:12 K:BB across 43 innings through seven outings.

Cecconi will start Friday against the Padres instead of Saturday as previously scheduled, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander will take the mound a day earlier than expected with Zac Gallen still recovering from his hamstring injury. Cecconi has posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB over 12 innings in his two-game stint in the major-league rotation.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Gallen (hamstring) won't start Friday as scheduled in an effort to provide him extra rest, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The right-hander was originally set to start Wednesday, but Tuesday's starter Jordan Montgomery was pushed back a day since the start time was delayed two hours. Gallen apparently isn't having any issues with the hamstring injury that surfaced in his previous start, but Lovullo has still decided to give his ace some extra rest. The earliest Gallen will take the mound is Sunday versus the Padres, but it's possible he gets some additional time, as team off days Thursday and Monday give Arizona some flexibility.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that everything went well during Steele's (hamstring) rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, and the left-hander will meet with the team Friday after a Thursday workout, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 28-year-old hurt his hamstring in late March, but he's in the latter stages of his rehab program. It was only the first rehab outing for Steele, but if he checks out well Friday it's possible his next start comes with the big-league club.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that he expects Montas (forearm) to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible May 7 or the day after, MLB.com reports.

Montas was placed on the IL on April 22 with a bruised right forearm, which he sustained when he was struck by a line drive in his start a day earlier. Bell noted that Montas threw a side session Monday without issue, and the right-hander will throw one more bullpen session later this week as a final test of his health. If all goes well, Montas should rejoin the rotation for the Reds' three-game series with the Diamondbacks that begins next Tuesday.

Walston was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Walston didn't make the cut for Arizona's Opening Day roster, but he will get a chance to play with the team after five years in the minors. The lefty pitcher has logged a 4.79 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 20.2 innings in five games played with the Reno Aces so far this year. The 22-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game and could work in long relief since he's pitched out of Reno's rotation.

The Giants recalled Jefferies from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Wednesday's game against the Red Sox in Boston.

Left-hander Erik Miller is slated to open the game for the Giants, but he's unlikely to work more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Jefferies is expected to cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen as he makes his first appearance for the Giants since giving up five earned runs over two innings in a spot start back on March 31 in San Diego. The Giants optioned Landen Roupp to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Jefferies.

Rea (3-0) earned the win Wednesday over Tampa Bay, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Rea after he allowed five runs on three homers against the Yankees in his last outing. Overall, it's been a strong start to the year for the 33-year-old right-hander. Rea's held opponents to one run or fewer in four of his six starts, lowering his ERA to 2.67 with a 1.22 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB over 33.2 innings. Rea's currently on track for a road matchup with Kansas City in his next outing.

Hendricks (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee on Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hendricks landed on the 15-day injured list last week with a lower-back strain but has already made enough progress in his recovery to resume game action. He could need just the one rehab start before returning from the IL, though given his 12.00 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over five outings, Hendricks' performance Thursday may hold significant weight in whether or not he's activated next week.