MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Young to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Young was expected to be the Mets' roster casualty as a result of Edwin Diaz's (shoulder) return, and his move to Syracuse is now official. The left-hander has allowed just one run in nine innings with the Mets and also boasts a 1.59 ERA in the minors, so it's likely he rejoins New York's bullpen at some point later in the summer.

The Mets reinstated Diaz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Diaz has been on the injured list since late May due to a right shoulder impingement. He fired two shutout innings with High-A Brooklyn during a rehab assignment, and manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that the Mets will make Diaz their closer once again after the team had used a committee approach leading up to the injury. The 30-year-old righty currently owns a 5.40 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 30:7 K:BB through 20 innings on the year and has converted five of his nine save opportunities.

The Nationals claimed Salazar off waivers from the Mariners on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Salazar will remain in the minor leagues as he switches organizations for the second time this season, but he will still hold a 40-man roster spot. The 26-year-old righty has pitched two scoreless innings in the majors this year with the Dodgers, though he has struggled to a 5.59 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 37 Triple-A innings.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to Texas.

Ohtani gave the Dodgers an early lead with a 424-foot solo shot in the first inning, but Los Angeles managed only one run the rest of the game. The homer was the second in as many days for the slugger, and he's up to 17 on the campaign, tied for sixth most in the majors. Ohtani has added 44 RBI, 51 runs, 15 stolen bases and a .311/.383/.587 slash line through 298 plate appearances.

Contreras (forearm) is hoping to begin a rehab assignment around June 18, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras is just five weeks into a projected 10-week timetable following surgery to repair a fractured left forearm, but Goold writes that the catcher is "eager to push the timetable for his return." He took batting practice in the cage Thursday and has been catching bullpen sessions without issue. If Contreras is indeed able to start a rehab assignment by Tuesday, he could be just a week or so away from activation.

The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Dunn was added to the Reds' roster June 4, and he managed to record one hit in 10 at-bats during his first seven games as a big-leaguer. The 25-year-old is slashing .216/.343/.372 in Triple-A and could return to the majors down the line if Cincinnati's outfield depth is tested.

Contreras (forearm) will take full batting practice in the indoor batting cage Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras is barely more than a month removed from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm. He was given a 10-week timetable to return following the operation but would appear to be ahead of schedule, given that he's already taking batting practice. Before being activated from the injured list, Contreras will surely need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, but it's uncertain when he might be cleared to join one of the Cardinals' affiliates for game action.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Nootbaar (oblique) continues to take part in "rotational work" and could resume swinging a bat this weekend, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals will presumably ease Nootbaar into swinging by having him hit off a tee or hit soft-toss throws before he eventually gains clearance to hit against higher-velocity pitching. In addition to being able to hit without discomfort, Nootbaar, who has been on the injured list since May 31 with a left oblique strain, will also need to prove that the injury doesn't compromise him when he runs the bases or plays the outfield. He still appears to be at least a couple weeks away from being a realistic option to rejoin the Cardinals, and Nootbaar will presumably need to go out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Robertson (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Friday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in the live session, Robertson could stick around with Springfield and begin a rehab assignment in the coming days. Robertson turned in a 4.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 12.1 innings across his eight relief appearances for the Cardinals before landing on the 15-day injured list May 26 due to right elbow inflammation.

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien has been cleared for game action with Springfield after he threw live batting practice for the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate earlier this week. The right-hander has been on the shelf since March 31 with a forearm strain, so he'll presumably require multiple rehab outings in the minors before he's activated from the 60-day injured list.