MLB Player News

San Diego recalled Kerr from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Kerr tossed 1.1 scoreless innings across two major-league appearances earlier this year. He'll probably work in middle relief for the Padres as they shake up their bullpen a bit.

Pittsburgh selected Mlodzinski's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Drafted by the Pirates with the No. 31 overall pick in 2020, Mlodzinski moved exclusively into a relief role this year with Indianapolis and it has allowed him to make a quicker ascent to the majors. The 24-year-old right-hander had a 3.16 ERA with 31 strikeouts through 25.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level.

Rainey (elbow) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez suggested that Rainey might get into minor-league games before the All-Star break, which would be a little less than 12 months after his Tommy John surgery in early August 2022. He's made swift progress and could perhaps factor into the saves mix in Washington by the end of the year, given that neither Kyle Finnegan nor Hunter Harvey have distinguished themselves in a high-leverage role.

Hughes (knee) will play catch Friday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Hughes made his third trip to the injured list earlier this week when he went down with left knee inflammation. It's a good sign that he's already able to throw, though, perhaps making it possible that he'll require only a minimum IL stay.

Kimbrel picked up the save Thursday against the Diamondbacks, striking out one over one perfect inning.

Kimbrel entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth and made short work of Arizona's lineup, striking out Josh Rojas before producing a fly out and a groundout in the following two at-bats. After a tumultuous May, the right-hander is now pitching to the tune of a 1.29 ERA over seven innings in June with two wins, three saves and 10 strikeouts to only two walks.

Tonkin picked up the save in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Rockies. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out six over 3.1 scoreless innings.

Tonkin was dominant in relief Thursday to earn his first career save. He now sports a 3.21 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and a 28:7 K:BB through 33.2 innings this season. While the 33-year-old Tonkin won't see any ninth-inning usage, he could work his way into a higher-leverage role with Atlanta while Jesse Chavez (lower leg) is on the IL.

Weathers (1-5) took the loss against Cleveland on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out two batters over 1.2 innings.

Weathers endured an ugly first inning during which he allowed five runs on five hits, including David Fry's first MLB homer. The lefty hurler was allowed to return for the second frame but was lifted after Jose Ramirez plated another run with a two-out double. This was the second time in his past three starts that Weathers has managed to get only five outs, and he's posted a horrid 9.93 ERA and 2.27 WHIP over five starts as the rotation fill-in for Seth Lugo (calf). Lugo progressed to throwing a simulated game Thursday, so Weathers' time in the rotation -- and on the big-league roster -- may be running out.

Harvey (3-3) blew a save but notched a win Thursday against Houston, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Harvey was tasked with protecting a 1-0, ninth-inning lead for Washington, but he was unable to seal the deal. However, the right-hander was credited with the win as a result of the Nationals scoring three times in the top of the 10th. Though he's pitched well overall this season, Harvey has converted just three of eight save chances, so manager Dave Martinez may be better served using him prior to the ninth inning. Kyle Finnegan has also blown five saves on the campaign as the team's primary closer, but he looked great in striking out three batters over a scoreless eighth frame Thursday, and Carl Edwards -- who got the save in the contest -- could also be more of a factor in a closing role moving forward.

Edwards picked up a save Thursday against the Astros, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Hunter Harvey got the first stab at a save for Washington in the ninth inning, but he couldn't protect a 1-0 lead. After the Nationals scored three times in the top of the 10th, Edwards got the call, and he retired the side on 12 pitches (10 strikes). The save was his first since April 8, but with Kyle Finnegan pitching inconsistently of late and Harvey blowing the opportunity Thursday, Edwards could emerge as a more frequent closing option for manager Dave Martinez.

Hudson (knee) will have his rehab assignment shifted to Triple-A Oklahoma City this week, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Hudson pitched one inning apiece in three games at the Arizona Complex League and is now one step closer to a return. There's still no official timetable for his activation, though he'll need to be activated by the end of June or be returned from his rehab assignment.