MLB Player News

Ottenbreit (elbow) struck out five and allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings Wednesday in Single-A Clearwater's 8-7 win over Fort Myers.

Ottenbreit spotted 40 of his 71 pitches for strikes in his first appearance in affiliated ball since last July, when he pitched twice for the Phillies' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. Ottenbreit had previously missed nearly all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he appears to be healthy again now that he's resumed pitching for a full-season affiliate.

The Phillies reinstated Kerkering (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Right-hander Nick Nelson was optioned to Lehigh Valley to clear a spot on the 26-man roster for Kerkering, who is set to make his 2024 debut for the Phillies whenever he's able to get in a game. Though he was officially placed on the IL coming out of spring training with a right forearm strain, his season debut was delayed mostly because he missed extensive time during camp while recovering from a severe case of the flu. Kerkering dazzled over his four rehab appearances between the Single-A and Triple-A levels, however, tossing 4.1 scoreless frames while striking out 10 batters. He looks poised to immediately step into a high-leverage role out of the Philadelphia bullpen.

The Pirates recalled Ryan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Ryan will rejoin Pittsburgh's 26-man active roster as a replacement for southpaw Marco Gonzales (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. The right-hander reliever has previously made four appearances out of the Pirates bullpen this season, logging a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 5.1 innings.

The Mets optioned Sulser to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

New York selected Sulser's contract Monday, and he allowed four runs with a 4:3 K:BB over 3.2 frames in three appearances. Tyler Jay was also sent down Sunday, with Jose Butto and Grant Hartwig being called up from Syracuse as corresponding moves.

The Pirates placed Gonzales on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left forearm muscle strain, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Gonzales was able to turn in his second straight quality start in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies, but he evidently was pitching with an arm injury at some point during that outing and will now be shut down for at least the next two and a half weeks. The Pirates recalled Ryder Ryan from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Gonzales' spot on the active roster and provide a heathy arm out of the bullpen in the short term, but the focus now turns to whom Pittsburgh will tab as the veteran lefty's replacement in the rotation. Top prospect Paul Skenes turned in a dominant 3.1-inning start with Indianapolis on Friday and would line up for Gonzales' spot in the rotation, if the Pirates feel ready to bring the 21-year-old to the majors. Quinn Priester also pitched Saturday for Indianapolis and, unlike Skenes, already has a spot on the 40-man roster, so he could represent another potential Gonzales replacement.

Olivares is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Olivares had started each of the past four games -- two against right-handed starting pitchers and two against lefties -- while going 5-for-15 with a pair of solo home runs and an additional run. The 28-year-old still looks like the Pirates' fourth outfielder/backup designated hitter, but he's playing regularly versus lefties and often enough against righties to warrant consideration for a roster spot in deeper mixed leagues.

The Mets recalled Hartwig from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

The right-hander will join the Mets despite allowing four earned runs over six innings to begin the season at Syracuse. Hartwig made his MLB debut last season and had a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB in 28 appearances.

Davis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Davis will get a breather for the series finale in Philadelphia after catching each of the Bucs' last four contests while going 4-for-13 with one double, three walks, two runs and two RBI. Joey Bart will step in to handle catching duties for Pittsburgh.

Butto was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to start Sunday's game against the Royals.

The 26-year-old allowed one run over six frames in a spot start during a doubleheader last week, and he'll rejoin the Mets to start the series finale versus Kansas City. Butto should receive at least a couple turns through the rotation while Tylor Megill (shoulder) is on the injured list.

Chourio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

He'll exit the starting nine for the second time in 14 games this season while Milwaukee rolls out an outfield of Joey Wiemer, Blake Perkins and Sal Frelick from left to right. Chourio went 1-for-11 with three strikeouts while starting in the first two games of the series in Baltimore.