MLB Player News

The Giants are expected to recall Birdsong from Single-A San Jose in the near future, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After he was returned to the minors upon serving as the Giants' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Rockies, Birdsong's next opportunity to return to the big leagues appeared to be in flux while Alex Cobb (hip/blister) was on the cusp of returning from the 60-day injured list. However, with Cobb being dealt to the Guardians on Tuesday, Birdsong now looks set to rejoin the Giants the next time the team needs a fifth starter. Birdsong, who has a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25.2 innings over his last five MLB starts, could be recalled as soon as this weekend to make a start in Cincinnati.

Atlanta designated Vines for assignment Monday.

The transaction comes after Vines allowed three runs (two earned) over an inning out of the Atlanta bullpen earlier Monday in the club's 8-3 loss to the Brewers. Vines has struggled both in the majors (8.56 ERA) and minors (5.14 ERA) this season, but the 26-year-old was viewed as a solid prospect not long ago and could draw some interest via trade or waivers.

Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Elder will draw the start for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee. The right-hander has struggled mightily in his eight outings with the big club this season, putting up a 6.35 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 39.2 innings. With Max Fried (forearm) out and Reynaldo Lopez's (forearm) status iffy, Elder could be needed for an additional start this weekend versus the Marlins.

Falter (tricep) is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Astros in Houston.

After returning from the 15-day injured list Monday, Falter will reclaim his spot in what tentatively shapes up as a six-man rotation for the Pirates. The southpaw was placed on the shelf July 7 with left tricep tendinitis and needed just one rehab start to convince the Pirates that he was ready to slot back into the rotation. Though Falter was limited to just three innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis last Wednesday, he tossed 60 pitches in the outing, so he should be relatively stretched out as he rejoins the big club.

Atlanta will recall Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday against the Brewers.

Elder already joined Atlanta's taxi squad in Milwaukee on Monday, so it comes as little surprise that he'll get the starting nod for the second game of the series. If Elder fares well Tuesday in his return to the big club and if Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) is forced to miss his next turn through the rotation, Atlanta could have both Grant Holmes and Elder make starts against the Marlins over the weekend. The outlooks for both Elder and Holmes beyond this week are murkier, however, especially if both Lopez and Max Fried (forearm) are able to move past their current injuries. Elder has previously made eight starts for Atlanta this season, going 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 39.2 innings.

Butto gave up a run on four hits and a walk over three innings to record his second save of the season in Monday's win over the Twins. He struck out two.

The 26-year-old righty gave the rest of the Mets' bullpen a breather in a 15-2 rout, firing 44 pitches (27 strikes) to close things out. Butto has thrown at least 40 pitches in three of his last five appearances, posting a 1.54 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 11.2 innings over that stretch. If New York can't bring in rotation reinforcements at Tuesday's trade deadline, it wouldn't be a surprise if Butto gets stretched back out for a starting role.

Meyer won't face any restrictions on his workload for the rest of the season, either in terms of innings pitches or pitches per start, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander made three big-league starts in April before being sent back down to Triple-A Jacksonville to make sure he wasn't overworked as he made his return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in August 2022. Meyer threw only 58 innings over three months for Jacksonville, and the erratic schedule may have played a part in his 4.34 ERA and 1.48 WHIP at Triple-A. Now that he's back in the majors though, the Marlins will keep him on a regular schedule and won't hold him back. After throwing 85 pitches over four innings in his return to the big club Saturday, Meyer lines up to take his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Atlanta.

Cecconi struck out three over two hitless and scoreless relief innings in Monday's 9-8 win over the Nationals.

Cecconi was called up Monday from Triple-A Reno, where he had been shifted from starter to the bullpen. The Diamondbacks like that his velocity jumped in shorter stints, so it's likely he remains in the bullpen. While a starter with Arizona earlier this season, Cecconi had trouble getting deep into games and facing lineups a third time.

Wheeler (10-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters over five innings.

Wheeler fell behind early, giving up three runs on a trio of solo homers over the first two frames. He got through the following two innings without additional damage but then collapsed in the fifth, surrendering four runs on four hits, including a double and a triple. The seven runs were the second-most Wheeler has given up this season, as were the three long balls. He took his first loss since June 16 versus Baltimore, which was also the game in which he gave up season highs with eight runs and four homers.

Parker allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks.

Parker was unlucky to take the loss, as the Nationals had an 8-2 lead when he was relieved by Jacob Barnes. This was an improvement for Parker, who had given up at least five runs in three of his four previous starts. The southpaw is now at a 4.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 84:26 K:BB through 100.1 innings over 19 starts. He'll look to snap a seven-start winless skid in his next outing, which is projected to come at home versus the Brewers this weekend.