MLB Player News

Nardi struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Monday to record his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Royals.

The 24-year-old southpaw is quietly having a breakout campaign in the Miami bullpen. Nardi hasn't given up an earned run since the beginning of May, a stretch that features an 18:4 K:BB through 14.2 innings. All four of his holds have come in his last 10 appearances, but his climb toward higher-leverage work has also coincided with an injured list stint for A.J. Puk (elbow). With Tanner Scott and Steven Okert also ahead of Nardi on the depth chart from the left side, it could be tough for him to maintain any fantasy value. That could also make him an intriguing trade chip later in the summer, however.

Cabrera (1-1) allowed a run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Rangers.

Cabrera couldn't keep the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving up a walk-off single to Nathaniel Lowe. Things have gone sideways for Cabrera since the start of May -- he's allowed nine runs with a 10:11 K:BB over his last 11.1 innings. The southpaw has mostly seen low-leverage assignments while posting a 4.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB over 23 innings this season. He's added three holds and a blown save.

Diaz earned a save against the Brewers on Monday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect inning of work.

Rookie starter Andrew Abbott and a pair of relievers held Milwaukee scoreless for eight innings, and Diaz was asked to complete the shutout in the ninth. He did so with ease, firing nine of 12 pitches for a strike and getting each of Christian Yelich, Brian Anderson and Luis Urias to go down swinging. Diaz is a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances on the season, and he hasn't been scored upon in eight straight outings. After registering an impressive 1.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 11.7 K/9 as a rookie last season, Diaz has been even better in his sophomore campaign, posting a 1.54 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and jaw-dropping 17.0 K/9 across 23.1 frames.

Holderman allowed three hits in a scoreless inning against Oakland on Monday. He struck out one batter and earned a save.

After David Bednar notched a save in three straight days, it was Holderman taking the mound in the ninth inning for Pittsburgh on Monday. Holderman danced around danger and finished off the 5-4 win, picking up his first save of the year. The 27-year-old righty lowered his ERA to 2.74 with a 27:6 K:BB and 12 holds through 23 frames.

Floro picked up the save Monday against Kansas City, recording the final two outs in a 9-6 victory.

Floro needed just two pitches to pick up the save after relieving Steven Okert, getting Bobby Witt to ground into a double play. Floro has closed out back-to-back games, improving to 7-for-9 in save opportunities this season. Floro lowered his ERA to 4.21 with a 1.25 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB through 25.2 innings this season. He'll likely return to a setup role soon, with A.J. Puk (elbow) nearing a return.

Heuer (elbow) will pitch Tuesday at Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Heuer is set for another rehab appearance as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. It's unclear if this will be his last minor-league action prior to being activated from the 60-day injured list, though the next steps should become more clear after Tuesday's outing.

Alvarado (elbow) will make what is expected to be his final rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Reading, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

As long as Alvarado comes out of that outing with no issues, he will be activated ahead of the Phillies' weekend series against the Dodgers. The left-handed reliever to this point has made one scoreless rehab appearance as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. Alvarado had emerged as manager Rob Thomson's go-to closer before getting hurt and should be thrown right back into that mix once activated, although Craig Kimbrel has pitched well in the role since Alvarado went down.

Nance (shoulder) will resume a throwing program this week, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance had to be pulled off a rehab assignment last month because of renewed soreness in his right shoulder, but he's ready to test things out again after a shutdown period. He'll need to restart a rehab assignment once he's deemed to be game-ready, so he's likely multiple weeks away from being activated from the 60-day injured list.

Brebbia will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Colorado, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants haven't designated a bulk reliever to work behind Brebbia, but Sean Manaea -- who hasn't pitched since last Tuesday -- seems like the most logical option to fill most of the innings out of the bullpen. Brebbia previously served as an opener in front of Manaea for that same game last Tuesday versus the Pirates, giving up a solo home run and retiring two batters before turning the game over to the Giants' relief corps.

Cincinnati designated German for assignment Monday.

The Reds needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Andrew Abbott and German is the casualty. German has gone from the Red Sox to the White Sox and then to the Reds via waivers since January and could be on the move again.