MLB Player News

Burnes (elbow) is expected to begin throwing live batting practice Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Burnes will first have to make it through two more bullpen sessions, but assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he'll be cleared to face live hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. The 31-year-old righty said he also expects to begin playing in rehab games in a few weeks and is aiming to make his season debut for the D-backs around the All-Star break.

The Marlins will option Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The decision to send Garrett down comes after he gave up two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters across three innings during his start against Atlanta on Tuesday. It was an improvement over his season debut, during which he surrendered five earned runs while recording just four outs, but a second consecutive poor outing will force the Marlins to send the 28-year-old lefty back to the minors to right the ship. It's unknown who will take Garrett's place in Miami's rotation.

Priester (shoulder) departed High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday to join Triple-A Nashville for his next rehab start Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester's last rehab start was May 16 when he allowed seven earned runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings. The right-hander has struggled through his four total rehab outings between Wisconsin and Nashville with a 22.74 ERA and 3.63 WHIP across 6.1 innings. The first three appearances came with Nashville as he nursed a nerve issue in his right wrist, but then he started to deal with shoulder soreness.

The Cubs designated Blach for assignment Tuesday.

Blach spun three scoreless innings out of the Cubs' bullpen Monday against the Brewers in his lone appearance for the club, and his reward is being jettisoned from the 26-man and 40-man rosters. The lefty will likely clear waivers, and if that happens, he would have the ability to decline an outright assignment and become a free agent.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said May 13 that Waldrep (elbow) has felt fine since he began throwing bullpen sessions earlier in the month, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Though Waldrep has made good progress in his recovery from the arthroscopic procedure he underwent Feb. 23 to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, Weiss noted that the 24-year-old hurler isn't far along enough in his throwing program for Atlanta to establish a definitive timeline for his return. A clearer target date for Waldrep should become available once he advances to facing hitters. After he reaches that step, Waldrep will then head out on what's expected to be a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before he gets activated from the 15-day injured list.

Atlanta reinstated Dodd (back) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

The left-hander has been on the shelf nearly a month due to left thoracic spine inflammation, but he's ready to rejoin the active roster after a three-appearance rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett. Dodd allowed one earned run with a 4:1 K:BB over four innings for Atlanta prior to the injury and should work as a middle reliever that can also provide some length out of the bullpen.

Atlanta optioned Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Ritchie was tagged for six runs over four innings in Monday's loss to the Marlins. He was terrific in his major-league debut last month but wound up posting a 4.91 ERA and 21:16 K:BB over 25.2 innings in his five starts for Atlanta. With Ritchie back in the minors, Martin Perez should settle into a rotation spot for Atlanta.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Mets. He allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six across four innings.

Irvin gave up a solo shot to Brett Baty in the top of the fourth inning, but the other two runs he allowed were unearned due to errors from James Wood and Luis Garcia, respectively. Irvin has pitched more than five innings just once all season long, and he hasn't secured a win since doing so in his season debut back on March 29. Irvin owns a 5.59 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP across 46.2 innings through 10 starts this season, and he's scheduled to make his next start over the weekend against Atlanta on the road in what projects as another challenging matchup.

Scott didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five across four innings.

Scott has yet to pitch past the fifth inning in any of his five big-league starts this season, and his inability to go deep into games limits his fantasy stock. The 26-year-old righty's done a good job of limiting the damage though, as he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of those five outings. Scott will carry a 4.12 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB across 19.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for this weekend's road series against the Marlins.

Gallen (2-4) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings against San Francisco. He struck out five.

Afforded ample run support, Gallen turned in his second quality start of the campaign en route to his second victory. It was a much-needed positive performance for the right-hander, who had surrendered 14 earned runs across 14.1 innings over his previous three starts. The 30-year-old will carry a 4.78 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 34:15 K:BB across 49 innings (10 starts) into his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against Colorado.