MLB Player News

Milwaukee optioned Strzelecki to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Thomas Pannone has been selected from Nashville in a corresponding move. Strzelecki, 28, carries a 4.54 ERA and 37:8 K:BB in 35.2 innings of work this season at the big-league level and should get another chance soon enough.

Helsley (forearm) was cleared to begin a throwing program Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Helsley got the go-ahead after visiting with a specialist Tuesday. He has a lot of buildup ahead, beginning with flat-ground work, but the hard-throwing right-hander should be able to return to the Cardinals before the end of July if all goes well from this point forward. Jordan Hicks has taken over the closer role in St. Louis since Helsley went down June 12 with a forearm strain.

Colorado recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Hollowell will return to the Rockies' bullpen as a replacement for Nick Mears, who is headed to the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. Hollowell, 25, has allowed eight runs -- seven earned -- in nine career major-league innings dating back to his debut last September.

Colorado placed Mears on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain.

Mears suffered the injury while making a relief appearance Tuesday night against the Dodgers and will be sidelined through the All-Star break. Gavin Hollowell is joining the Rockies' bullpen Wednesday in a corresponding move.

Law (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred Wednesday to Triple-A Louisville.

Law is one step away from returning to the Reds' bullpen following what has already been a five-week absence for a right elbow flexor mass strain. He had pitched to a 2.57 ERA in 21 innings for the Reds prior to the IL stint and worked a perfect rehab frame on 14 pitches this past Sunday at High-A Dayton.

Cincinnati outrighted Wynne to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Wynne passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Reds on Monday. He made his MLB debut at age 30 this past Sunday versus Atlanta and surrendered one earned run on three hits and one walk over 2.1 innings of relief.

Cincinnati outrighted Bracho to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Bracho was designated for assignment by the Reds on Sunday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 30-year-old righty will remain with the organization for now. He holds a career 4.80 ERA in 101.1 major-league innings.

Brigham gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning during Tuesday's win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

The right-hander spoiled a possible combined shutout for the Mets with a shaky eighth inning that saw him throw only 14 of 29 pitches for strikes. Brigham has struggled overall in June, posting a 6.52 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB through 9.2 innings while working mainly in low-leverage spots -- his last hold was recorded June 1.

Weems (1-0) walked two and struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings of relief Tuesday to pick up the win in an extra-innings victory over the Mariners.

The one-time catcher converted to pitching in 2016 and made his big-league in the Oakland bullpen in 2020, but it wasn't until Tuesday he was able to notch his first big-league win. Weems appears to have figured things out in the Washington system, and since his promotion in early June he has a 2.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 12 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander isn't likely to claim a high-leverage role, however, even if the Nats ship out relievers like Kyle Finnegan before the trade deadline.

Diaz picked up the save Tuesday against Baltimore. He allowed one walk while logging a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

Diaz is now a perfect 22-for-22 in save chances this year, putting him fourth in the league. The 26-year-old right-hander has been dominant, pitching to a 1.85 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 57:19 K:BB through 34 innings. With Cincinnati surging, Diaz should remain a high-end closing option for fantasy purposes.