MLB Player News

Sasaki (shoulder) is expected to begin a throwing program within the next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sasaki has been on the 15-day injured list since May 13 with a right shoulder impingement, and he was shut down from throwing. The right-hander will likely require a multi-week buildup before potentially returning to the major-league roster. Sasaki will progress from playing catch to throwing a bullpen session before launching a minor-league rehab assignment.

Contreras (back) may return to the Cardinals' lineup Monday versus the Orioles, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was once again sidelined for Sunday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks, missing his third straight game with back spasms. Manager Oli Marmol said following the contest that the catcher is doing "better" and that he hopes Contreras will start Monday's series opener in Baltimore. Considering Contreras was able to move around the field and take batting practice Sunday, he appears to be on track for a return to the lineup in the near future.

The Dodgers optioned Miller to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Miller will likely slot back into the Triple-A rotation after working in relief for the Dodgers on Saturday following his promotion from Oklahoma City. The 26-year-old mopped up the final two innings of Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Mets, striking out no batters and allowing one run on three hits and one walk in his 32-pitch appearance. The Dodgers signed righty Chris Stratton to a one-year deal to replace Miller on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen.

Stratton signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Sunday.

After getting cut loose by the Royals on Thursday, Stratton quickly found work with the Dodgers and has joined the team in New York ahead of Sunday's series finale versus the Mets. The veteran righty will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role in the Los Angeles bullpen after he struggled to a 7.94 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 17 innings over his 12 appearances for Kansas City prior to being cut loose.

Palencia earned the save in Sunday's 11-8 win over the Reds, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Palencia entered with a three-run lead and worked around a leadoff single, throwing 18 of his 21 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old appears to have earned manager Craig Counsell's trust, getting the Cubs' last three save opportunities and converting two of them. On the season, he owns a 2.04 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings.

The Dodgers designated Feyereisen for assignment Sunday.

Feyereisen will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to fellow righty reliever Chris Stratton, whom the Dodgers signed to a one-year deal. Before he was sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 15, Feyereisen had made four appearances in the big leagues this season between Arizona and Los Angeles and gave up seven runs (five earned) over four innings.

Marte is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Though Brandon Nimmo (neck) remains on the bench for the series finale, Marte will take a seat after starting in each of the Mets' last three games and going 3-for-10 with two walks, an RBI and a run. Assuming Nimmo doesn't require a stint on the injured list and is back in the lineup within the next few days, the Mets will likely continue to deploy Marte primarily against left-handed pitching.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Alvarez will remain on the bench for the second game in a row and the third time in four contests while he's struggled to get going at the plate since being activated from the injured list April 25. Through his first 20 games of the season, Alvarez is hitting .232 with a 29.5 percent strikeout rate and has just three extra-base hits (one home run, two doubles) over 78 plate appearances. Until his bat begins to heat up, Alvarez looks like he could be part of a timeshare behind the plate with Luis Torrens.

Vientos (abdomen) will start at third base and bat second Sunday against the Dodgers.

Vientos didn't start the first two games of the series due to abdominal soreness, but he'll rejoin the starting nine for Sunday's series finale. The 25-year-old has a .266/.324/.344 slash line with one home run, three RBI and seven runs through 20 games in May.

Nimmo (neck) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, and it's unclear if he'll be available off the bench after not taking part in baseball activities Saturday, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

The veteran outfielder was removed from Friday's contest due to neck stiffness and will sit Sunday for the second consecutive game. Jeff McNeil will shift to left field in place of Nimmo, while Jared Young enters the lineup at designated hitter.