MLB Player News

Blackburn (shoulder) threw 5.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The veteran righty built up to 97 pitches (61 strikes) in the outing, but the Mets still have yet to make a decision on when he will rejoin the big-league roster. Blackburn's rehab assignment ends Aug. 20, so if the team does decide to have him make one more start in the minors, it will be his final one. Over five starts since kicking off his rehab stint July 17, Blackburn's posted a 2.42 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 26 innings, and he could represent an upgrade in the New York rotation over Frankie Montas, who has failed to last five innings in three straight trips to the mound while stumbling to a 10.32 ERA.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Valdez (shoulder) has resumed playing catch out to 90 feet, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Valdez is at about the midway point in his recovery from May surgery to address a dislocated left shoulder. Though the 26-year-old isn't on track to return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, the Pirates are optimistic that Valdez will be available to play winter ball.

Triple-A Indianapolis placed Harrington on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to an undisclosed injury.

After being demoted Aug. 2, Harrington rejoined the Indianapolis rotation Friday and apparently sustained an injury during that start. The right-hander possesses a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster, but his injury coupled with his poor numbers at the Triple-A level this season (5.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP in 95 innings) could hinder his chances of getting another look in the big-league rotation in 2025.

Triple-A Indianapolis placed Cook on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to a hand injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cook hadn't played since being hit on the hand by a pitch in an Aug. 3 game, and though he said Saturday that he had shown improvement in his recovery, Indianapolis still chose to deactivate him. The 26-year-old has slashed .245/.321/.379 with eight home runs and 13 stolen bases in 380 plate appearances for Indianapolis this season.

The Pirates will activate Shugart (knee) from the 15-day injured list before Monday's game in Milwaukee, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Shugart has been shelved since early July with left knee inflammation but is ready to go after making three rehab appearances. He will likely fill a middle-relief role.

The Pirates will option Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Monday's game in Milwaukee, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

He'll give up his spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster to Chase Shugart (knee), who will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Moreta has pitched well during his five appearances with the Pirates this season, allowing two runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 4.2 innings.

Brown is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown was moved to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired Michael Soroka ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, but Brown will temporarily move back into the rotation after Soroka strained his right shoulder in his team debut during last Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds and landed on the injured list. In that same game, Brown came on in long relief and struck out five over four innings, so he should be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload Tuesday. Brown may be in line for just one turn through the rotation, as Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) are both in the midst of rehab assignments and could be ready to return from the IL the next time a fifth starter is needed.

Lodolo (finger) played catch Sunday, MLB.com reports.

After landing on the injured list Tuesday due to a blister on his left index finger, Lodolo has now resumed throwing. He's eligible for activation Aug. 20, but Lodolo still has multiple checkpoints to hit in his recovery from the blister before rejoining the Cincinnati rotation.

Hayes went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 14-8 win over the Pirates.

Hayes initiated the Reds' four-run third inning when he doubled and scored the club's first run. After an initial surge upon joining Cincinnati at the trade deadline, Hayes is slumping with just two hits in his last 19 at-bats.

Alexander went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 13-6 win over Colorado.

Alexander logged a third straight multi-hit game and has reached base safely in all nine contests since taking over as the primary starter at third base. He's gone 12-for-31 (.387) with two doubles, two home runs, five walks, seven RBI and five runs since the Diamondbacks traded Eugenio Suarez.