MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Ortiz has surrendered 10 runs over eight innings across his last two starts with Pittsburgh, and he'll now return to Triple-A in order to get back on track. If Ortiz is able to put up numbers similar to his 2.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in Triple-A, he could certainly find himself back in the majors relatively quickly. In the meantime, Yohan Ramirez will come up from Indianapolis to fill Ortiz's roster spot, and it's unclear who will fill the empty spot in Pittsburgh's rotation.

Painter (elbow) threw a bullpen session at the Phillies' spring training complex in Florida on Wednesday, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Painter had to be scratched from a throwing session earlier this week due to stiffness in his right elbow, so it's a great sign that he's already back on the mound. "We'll see how he comes in the next day or two," said manager Rob Thomson. It's not clear when Painter might be ready for a rehab assignment, but the team is still holding out hope that he can be an option for the rotation later this season. He's working his way back from a partially torn UCL.

Anderson (0-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against Houston. He struck out three.

Anderson's struggles continued Wednesday as the right-hander allowed three home runs, two of which came off the bat of Yainer Diaz. The right-hander was unable to make it through five innings for the fifth consecutive start, taking his third straight loss over his last three decisions. Anderson has now allowed at least five runs in each of his last four appearances, raising his ERA to 6.89 on the season.

Woodruff (shoulder) is aiming to throw a bullpen session this weekend, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff had to put a pause on his throwing program last week, but he's made it through a couple of successful flat-ground workouts over the last few days and is about ready to get back on a mound. Sidelined since April 11 due to a Grade 2 subscapular strain, the 30-year-old ace might have a shot to return to the Brewers' rotation around late July or early August if he is able to avoid further setbacks. Woodruff has logged only two major-league starts this season.

Darvish (illness) is lined up to start Friday against the Mets, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Darvish has missed his last couple of turns in the San Diego rotation because of a non-COVID-19-related viral illness, but he's managed to avoid the injured list and is feeling well enough to return to action just before the All-Star break. The 36-year-old right-hander currently stands 5-6 with a 4.84 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 85:25 K:BB through 80 innings (14 starts) this season. He and the Padres will be aiming for a second-half rebound.

Stone was charged with a blown save against the Pirates on Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three batters over two innings.

Stone was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday and got his first major-league look as a reliever in the fifth inning Tuesday. The right-hander gave up a pair of singles in his first frame but was able to escape trouble; however, he wasn't able to keep Pittsburgh off the scoreboard in the sixth, as the Pirates tallied a run on a trio of singles. Stone has struggled to get runners out in his first taste of the big leagues this season, posting a 12.75 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB over 12 innings.

Liberatore will start for the Cardinals on Wednesday in Miami, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Prior reports suggested that the Cardinals would start Steven Matz, but they've instead decided to give the ball to Liberatore, who will be pitching on short rest. While Liberatore will be working on just three days' rest after starting Saturday versus the Yankees, he threw only 56 pitches in that outing. Liberatore hasn't gone more than 4.1 innings in any of his last three starts, holding a 6.75 ERA and 6:5 K:BB in 10.2 frames over that time.

Matz is no longer in line to start Wednesday against the Marlins, as the Cardinals have confirmed that Matthew Liberatore will draw the start in Miami, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Though prior reports suggested that Matz would get the starting nod Wednesday, the Cardinals will instead turn to Liberatore on three days' rest after the rookie covered 4.1 innings in the second game of this past Saturday's doubleheader with the Yankees. Manager Oliver Marmol hasn't revealed whether Matz will be available in relief Wednesday, but if the veteran southpaw goes unused, he'll likely be a candidate to fill the spot in the rotation vacated by Adam Wainwright (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the day. Wainwright had been lined up to make his next start Sunday versus the White Sox.

Cueto (biceps/ankle) tossed six innings Monday in his rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville, allowing five earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two.

After building up to 94 pitches Monday in what was the fifth start of his second rehab assignment of the season, Cueto appears ready to return from the 60-day injured list, at least from a workload standpoint. However, the Marlins may not view him as a better back-end rotation option than Bryan Hoeing, given Cueto's underwhelming numbers during his prolonged rehab assignment. Over four starts with Jacksonville and two with Double-A Pensacola, Cueto has logged a 10.50 ERA and 1.96 WHIP and has struck out just 10 batters over 24 innings.

Wainwright was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder strain.

The Cardinals had said after Wainwright's latest disastrous start Tuesday in Miami that he would land on the IL and the move is now official. It could be a fairly length absence, as even once he's deemed healthy Wainwright clearly has some stuff to work on. He'll likely require multiple rehab starts before the Cards consider re-inserting him into their rotation.