MLB Player News

Soriano will take the ball to start Saturday's game against the Rangers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soriano has been excellent in 11 appearances out of the Miami bullpen this season, posting a 1.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 27.1 innings, and he will be rewarded with his first career start in the big leagues. The 24-year-old has thrown as many as four innings in an appearance this season and will be well rested, but it's a stretch to think he could pitch deep enough into Saturday's game to qualify for a win.

Diaz (3-3) took the loss Friday against the Nationals. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out three without a walk over 1.2 innings.

After retiring the side in order in the ninth to preserve the tie, Diaz returned for the 10th but couldn't get through the extra frame as Lane Thomas smacked a two-run homer on the right-hander's 32nd pitch of the night. Reds manager David Bell asked a lot of his closer in this one and he fell a little short, but if anyone deserves a mulligan, it's Diaz. He still has just one blown save on the year compared to 32 successful save conversions.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Acquired from the Dodgers at the end of June, Jackson will now get his first opportunity with the Pirates, replacing Dauri Moreta (back) in the Pittsburgh bullpen. Jackson has pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in five appearances with Indianapolis to date -- a significant improvement on the 5.86 and 1.54 marks he had with Oklahoma City prior to the trade.

The Pirates placed Moreta on the 15-day injured list Friday with lower-back soreness, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

After giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over one inning Thursday against Milwaukee, Moreta will be sidelined for at least two weeks. The 27-year-old righty holds a 4.10 ERA and 1.20 WHIP on the season and figures to return in late August.

Helsely (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Helsley has been on the injured list since mid-June with a right forearm strain and is now set to complete the final steps in his recovery. The 29-year-old reliever will likely make a few appearances in Double-A before moving to Triple-A Memphis, but the Cardinals are confident Helsley will be able to return when first eligible Aug. 10. Once he's back, the right-hander will likely take over as St. Louis' primary closer, though Giovanny Gallegos may offer some competition for saves.

Assad will start Saturday against Atlanta, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad has just one start in the majors this season but has done well in his role as a multi-inning reliever by putting up a 3.24 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 50 innings. The 26-year-old righty threw 3.2 innings and 62 pitches in his last appearance July 31, so he may not face much of a workload restriction.

The Mets claimed Miller off waivers from the Dodgers on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse.

Miller will now join his third team in the last month after being DFA'd by the Brewers in early July and by the Dodgers on Wednesday. Miller has a 3.45 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through 28.2 innings in Triple-A this season and will serve as organizational depth with the Mets.

Lee (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lee made it through a live batting practice session earlier this week without issue and has been cleared to return to live games after missing nearly three full months due to lingering shoulder inflammation. The 29-year-old left-hander had pitched to a 3.10 ERA and 23:7 K:BB in 20.1 innings for Atlanta prior to this lengthy IL stint.

Mejia tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's 14-1 victory over the Pirates. He allowed two hits, struck out four and walked none.

Mejia has not been used much in key spots since joining Milwaukee's bullpen early last month, but he has been effective when summoned, posting a 2.16 ERA and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings over seven appearances. Although he is near the bottom of the pecking order, he is out of minor-league options, which bodes well for his chances of hanging onto a roster spot.

Dominguez picked up the save in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Marlins, allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Both Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto blew save chances Wednesday and had worked three of the last four days, so Dominguez was called upon in the bottom of the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and proceeded to give up a leadoff single to Jazz Chisholm before retiring the next three batters. The right-hander has now converted his last two save opportunities after previously blowing all five of his save attempts prior to Aug. 1. With Thursday's scoreless appearance Dominguez lowered his season ERA to 4.45.