MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Nelson will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game versus the Rockies, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Nelson will be ready in case starter Jordan Montgomery is unable to work deep into Wednesday's outing. If Nelson is not needed Wednesday, he will start Friday in Tampa Bay. If Nelson does in fact start Friday, it could be his last one for a while, as Lovullo says the club would then go back to a five-man rotation. Lovullo wouldn't commit to Nelson being the one to lose his rotation spot when that time arrives, but he looks to be the most likely candidate. Nelson holds a 2.90 ERA and 49:11 K:BB over 49.2 innings since the beginning of July, so he certainly doesn't deserve a demotion. However, he could be the team's starter most equipped to handle a shift to relief.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Ashcraft (elbow) could begin a throwing program within the next 10 days, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft has been out since early July with a right elbow strain. He will need about six weeks to ramp things back up before he's ready for games, so even in a best-case scenario the right-hander is probably looking at just one or two late-season appearances.

Williamson (shoulder) is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson initially went on the injured list before Opening Day because of a left shoulder strain, but he was later diagnosed with a Bennett lesion in his shoulder in June. The southpaw was given multiple injections in the shoulder and has been ramping things back up to the point that he's nearly game-ready again. Williamson could join the Reds by September, perhaps in a relief role.

The Padres activated Musgrove (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Musgrove will rejoin San Diego's rotation Monday versus the Pirates after missing 11 weeks of action with a bone spur and bone bruise in his right elbow. The veteran right-hander threw only 43 pitches in his lone rehab start, so his workload will be curtailed against Pittsburgh.

Manager Oli Marmol told reporters Monday that Matz did not feel any back pain following his rehab outing with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz came away with the no decision Sunday after allowing one run on two hits while striking out three across four frames. His next rehab appearance will take place Friday, and the plan is for the 33-year-old southpaw to toss five innings and approximately 75-to-80 pitches. Matz has not pitched for the Cardinals since late April due to a herniated disc in his back, though he could be on his way back to the big club if he comes out of Friday's outing unscathed.

The Brewers optioned Hall to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Hall had some good moments in his return from the 60-day injured list Sunday, as he struck out a career-high nine batters while allowing three runs over 4.2 innings in a spot start against the Reds. However, the Brewers will stick with a five-man rotation moving forward, so Hall will head back to Nashville and stay stretched out while he waits for a starting spot to open up.

Lopez (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Lopez's upcoming start with Gwinnett may be the only one he requires before returning from the 15-day injured list, potentially setting him up to rejoin Atlanta's rotation either Sunday on the road against the Angels or back at home next Monday versus the Phillies. The right-hander hadn't made a start since July 28 because of right forearm inflammation.

Darvish (personal) has yet to rejoin the Padres since landing on the restricted list July 6, but he has been working out and throwing on his own and most recently tossed a live batting practice session at a San Diego-area high school Sunday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Darvish hasn't pitched for the Padres since May 29, as he first landed on the injured list with a left groin strain, then made a rehab start June 17 with High-A Fort Wayne before experiencing minor elbow inflammation. He had resumed his throwing program before he stepped away from the team in early July to tend to the personal matter, and neither injury is believed to be a concern at this point. While the veteran righty hasn't informed the Padres whether he plans to return to the team in 2024, the fact that he's been ramping up his throwing would seem to suggest that he intends to come back this season. The Padres are likely to remain mum on Darvish's situation until he formally rejoins the club, but his potential late-season return would provide a significant boost to a surging squad that now finds itself within striking distance of the Dodgers for the division lead. Over his first 11 starts this season before going on the IL and then the restricted list, Darvish went 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB in 56.1 innings.

The Padres outrighted Wolf to Triple-A El Paso after he cleared waivers Saturday.

Wolf will remain in the organization after he went unclaimed upon being moved off the Padres' 40-man roster Thursday. The 25-year-old lefty previously made a spot start for the Padres in 2023 but has spent the entire 2024 campaign in the minors since being reacquired from the Pirates shortly after Opening Day. Over 23 outings (18 starts) for El Paso this season, Wolf owns a 7.21 ERA and 1.89 WHIP across 83.2 innings.

Lynn (knee) said in an appearance on the "Foul Territory" program that he'll throw a bullpen session Monday.

While the hurler noted that he should have more clarity on his timetable after the throwing session, he hopes to return from the 15-day injured list "hopefully within the next time or two through the rotation." Lynn has been sidelined since late July with right knee inflammation.