MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that McLain (shoulder) has started swinging a bat and is hoping to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 12, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Certainly, McLain will need to check off numerous boxes before he's cleared for game action, but he's trending well in his recovery from left shoulder surgery, which he had in late March. Given the long layoff, McLain will need an extended rehab assignment before returning from the 60-day injured list, possibly in late August or early September.

The Dodgers recalled Vanasco from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Vanasco will join the Dodgers to provide some extra coverage in the bullpen through the All-Star break, with right-hander Bobby Miller heading to the minors in a corresponding move after lasting just four innings in his start in Tuesday's 10-1 loss to the Phillies. Up with the big club for the third time this season, Vanasco made just one two-inning appearance between his previous two stints with the Dodgers.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Martini will likely be out until September after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Martini landed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend with the injury and has opted to have it surgically repaired. He's expected to come off the IL before the end of the season, but a precise target date for his return won't become clear until he's able to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

The Dodgers optioned Miller to the minors Wednesday.

The team didn't specifically relay that Miller will be headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City, as the right-hander could instead be headed to the Dodgers' facility in Arizona to work on some mechanical adjustments. His demotion comes after he was lit up for nine earned runs in four innings in Tuesday's loss to the Phillies, bringing his ERA up to 9.87 over his four starts since he returned to the rotation June 19 following a two-plus-month stay on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. The Dodgers will need a replacement in the rotation for Miller in Sunday's game in Detroit, but the right-hander might be a candidate to rejoin the big club shortly after the All-Star break. The possibility exists, however, that the Dodgers will have Miller spend some extended time in the minors to iron out the kinks, as the team should get some reinforcements to its rotation after the break that may lessen the need to bring back the struggling right-hander. Tyler Glasnow (back) and Walker Buehler (hip) could both be ready to return from the IL immediately after the break, while Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is in the midst of a rehab assignment and could be ready to come off the 60-day IL by the end of July or the first week of August.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Brown is still experiencing lingering discomfort in his neck, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown has been shelved since mid-June with a neck strain and doesn't appear to have made much progress. He had been cleared to resume throwing in late June, but it's uncertain where he currently stands in his throwing program.

Alzolay (forearm) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Alzolay appears to have responded well to what was his first time throwing off a mound since he was shelved with a flexor strain in mid-May. Before coming off the 60-day injured list, Alzolay will need to make multiple rehab appearances in the minors, and it's unclear when he might be ready to begin an assignment.

Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

The lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni had been included in the lineup in each of the Cubs' last three matchups with right-handed pitchers, but the uptick in playing time looks to have been the result of outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong being unavailable due to a thumb injury. After serving as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 9-2 win, Crow-Armstrong has received the green light to re-enter the starting nine Wednesday for the first time in a week, so Mastrobuoni will head back to the bench.

Nido is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Nido had started behind the plate in four of the past five games, but he'll cede catching duties to Miguel Amaya on Wednesday. Since signing with the Cubs on June 19, Nido has put together a .133/.156/.200 slash line with a 31.3 percent strikeout rate, so his hold on the No. 1 catcher's role may be tenuous.

Crow-Armstrong (thumb) will start in center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Crow-Armstrong will pick up his first start in a week, as he went without an appearance in four straight games while he contended with a sore left thumb before he made a cameo off the bench as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 9-2 win. Though the lefty-hitting Crow-Armstrong may continue to sit against most left-handed starting pitchers, he should get the chance to play regularly against righties now that he's healthy again. He may be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Iowa, however, once the Cubs get Mike Tauchman (groin) back from the injured list.

The Mets recalled Young from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Young has posted a 5.11 ERA and 16:6 K:BB over 12.1 frames this season at the big-league level. He will give manager Carlos Mendoza a second lefty in the bullpen to pair with Jake Diekman.