MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been throwing off flat ground from 130 feet, MLB.com reports.

Melancon began his throwing program all the way back on May 22, and even though he's experienced no reported setbacks in his recovery from a subscapularis strain in the ensuing two and a half months, he still hasn't been cleared to resume throwing off a mound. As a one-inning relief pitcher, Melancon will require less buildup time than a starter, but based on how slowly his recovery from the injury has proceeded thus far, it's far from guaranteed that he'll be ready to pitch by the time the regular season ends.

Alvarado (elbow/hand) will throw another bullpen session Thursday rather than begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado has been dealing with cramping in both of his hands, so the Phillies will delay his rehab stint a couple of days to make sure that it doesn't become a lingering issue. He is recovered from the bout of elbow inflammation that initially sent him to the injured list in early July, and this shouldn't be too much of a setback.

Ortiz was added as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Ortiz will be available out of the Phillies' bullpen in both games. He has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB through 14 innings of work this year at the MLB level.

Willingham will serve as the 27th man for the Nationals in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Willingham gives the Nats an extra bullpen arm as they play a twin bill Tuesday to make up for Monday's rainout. The 24-year-old right-hander has allowed 12 earned runs in 12.2 innings of work this season at the major-league level.

Hatch will join the Pirates on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hatch was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays last Friday and claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh on Sunday. The 28-year-old right-hander holds a career 5.40 ERA and 45:26 K:BB in 46.2 major-league innings.

Selby will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Selby is joining the big club for the first time after he pitched to a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 41:22 K:BB through 30.1 innings this season out of the Triple-A bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander will likely fill a middle-relief role with Pittsburgh.

Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher Tuesday versus the Angels, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alex Wood is expected to follow him and handle the majority of the innings. This will be the fifth opener assignment of the year for Alexander, who has registered an overall 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 33.2 innings (39 appearances) this season with San Francisco.

Peguero tossed a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 12-1 victory over the Rockies.

Peguero was preparing to enter the game with the Brewers ahead by only four runs, so don't let the fact that he worked in a blowout lead you to believe he is no longer part of Milwaukee's late-inning mix. Peguero gave up three earned runs twice in late July, but he seems to have righted the ship, allowing just one runner to reach base through three outings in August. He remains the top right-handed option in front of setup man Joel Payamps and closer Devin Williams.

Rogers (6-4) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win Monday over the Angels.

Rogers kept the Giants within a run in the eighth inning, and their offense took over in the ninth to rally for the 8-3 win. The southpaw has allowed one unearned run, seven hits and four walks while racking up eight strikeouts over his last 9.1 innings. For the season, he's maintained a 2.52 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 46:19 K:BB with a save and seven holds through 39.1 innings as a key late-inning option in the Giants' steady bullpen.

Lambert (2-3) allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Monday versus the Brewers.

Lambert held his own over the first three innings, but it all fell apart in the fourth. He's given up nine runs over his last eight innings while taking a pair of losses in his last two starts. The right-hander has a 5.57 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB through 53.1 innings over 19 appearances (five starts) this season. Lambert remains in the rotation despite his poor performance since the Rockies have no better options available. He's projected to face the Dodgers on the road this weekend.