MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Following the return of Marcus Stroman (ribs) from the injured list Friday, Palencia will be pushed off the active roster. The 23-year-old righty struggled heavily in the minors to start the year but was able to record a respectable 4.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 22 innings in the majors.

Bard (forearm) threw a live batting practice Friday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bard resumed throwing Sept. 5 -- two days after he landed on the injured list with right forearm fatigue -- and has now progressed to facing live hitters. The right-hander likely won't get activated from the IL when first eligible Monday, but manager Bud Black said he expects Bard to return before the end of the season.

Young (COVID-19) has been sent to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Young was one of several Reds players to go on the COVID-19 injured list recently, but he has now been cleared for game action. He shouldn't need a lengthy rehab stint considering he's been out just under a week.

Manaea is slated to pitch during Sunday's game against the Rockies in Colorado.

The Giants could end up deploying Manaea behind an opener, but in any case, he'll pitch the majority of the innings Sunday and appears to have settled into a rotation spot at this point. While picking up a start Tuesday for the first time since May 10, Manaea took a loss to the Guardians but struck out five while allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks. Despite delivering solid returns in the strikeouts, ERA and WHIP categories his last time out, Manaea makes for a risky streaming option Sunday at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Williams picked up the save Thursday against Miami, pitching a perfect inning while not recording any strikeouts.

Williams needed only 11 pitches to get through the middle of the Marlins' lineup and record his 34th save of the season. The right-hander has now converted each of his last three save attempts and has not allowed any hits, walks or runs in three straight appearances. Thursday's save did mark the first time in his last seven outings that he failed to record at least one strikeout, however.

Bednar picked up the save Thursday against the Nationals, pitching a perfect inning while not recording any strikeouts.

Bednar needed just 10 pitches to get through the top of the Nationals' lineup and secure his 35th save of the season. The 28-year-old reliever has now converted his last 12 save opportunities and has yet to allow an earned run in September. It was also the fourth time this month he didn't allow any hits or walks in an appearance.

Castano cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Castano was designated for assignment Tuesday and has cleared waivers for the second time this season. He can opt for free agency or choose to finish the season with Jacksonville.

Antone (elbow) said Thursday that he expects to return this year, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Antone landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday morning due to soreness in his right elbow, which has twice required Tommy John surgery. He's awaiting the results of an MRI, but the 29-year-old reliever told reporters the injury is "nothing catastrophic" and "just a flareup." Antone will be first eligible for activation Sept. 29, just a few days before the end of the regular season.

The Mets claimed Kay off waivers from the Cubs on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse.

Kay was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Monday, having allowed eight earned runs on 12 hits and eight walks through 11.1 major-league innings this season. A first-round draft pick of the Mets back in 2016, the 28-year-old left-hander returns as organizational bullpen depth.

Doval (6-4) struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Guardians.

Doval got the last out of the ninth inning after Tyler Rogers put two on base. In the 10th, Doval was able to keep runs off the board again, allowing LaMonte Wade's sacrifice fly to walk it off for the Giants. Since his shaky stretch in mid-August, Doval has bounced back, allowing just one run over his last 7.2 innings. The 26-year-old is at a 2.86 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 82:25 K:BB with 37 saves in 44 chances over 63 innings this season.