MLB Player News

Heuer (elbow) is scheduled for a third minor-league rehab appearance Friday with Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Heuer struggled in his rehab debut Saturday with Iowa before striking out two of three batters he faced in his second rehab outing Tuesday. The 26-year-old reliever is on the long road back from Tommy John surgery and should be an option for the Cubs' bullpen at the end of this month. He's on the 60-day IL and isn't eligible for activation until May 29.

Hughes (knee) threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes said he felt good during and after the workout, and the Cubs are expected to provide an update Thursday on the next step forward for the rehabbing reliever. He's made only five major-league appearances this season due to lingering left knee inflammation.

Lee will serve as Atlanta's opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Lee will pitch the first inning or two for Atlanta as the club navigates its first turn through the rotation without Max Fried (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. In 17 appearances thus far, Lee has pitched well with a 2.81 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB over 16 innings. Atlanta doesn't have a clear designated bulk reliever to work behind Lee, but Collin McHugh and Michael Tonkin should both be able to give the club multiple innings, if necessary.

Alvarado, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation, underwent an MRI that is currently being reviewed, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

More clarity on Alvarado's condition is expected to be available soon, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson admitted that he's "a little concerned, for sure," about the closer's health. Alvarado has been arguably the best reliever in baseball this season with a 1.88 ERA and 24:0 K:BB over 14.1 innings. Craig Kimbrel looks like the top candidate to close for the Phillies while Alvarado is away, with perhaps Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm also in the mix.

The Brewers optioned Sousa to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Sousa's demotion came one day after he was tagged for two earned runs on two hits and one walk over 1.2 innings out of the bullpen in his Brewers debut in Monday's 9-3 win over the Dodgers. Though he'll now head back to Triple-A, Sousa should be near the top of the list for a promotion the next time the Brewers are in need of another lefty arm in the bullpen.

Pomeranz (arm) will join Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Pomeranz opened the season on the 15-day injured list while he continued to recover from left elbow flexor tendon surgery, and though he started up a rehab assignment April 18, he made just three appearances before being shut down after experiencing renewed discomfort in his surgically repaired arm. He was idle for about a week before he resumed throwing again, and he now appears ready to test himself in a competitive setting. Expect Pomeranz to make at least a couple of appearances for El Paso before the Padres consider activating him.

Alvarado was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation.

Alvarado was unavailable to pitch Tuesday versus the Blue Jays due to left wrist tightness and that discomfort has now seemingly migrated to his elbow. An estimated recovery timetable was not immediately available. The move to the IL was made retroactive to Monday (May 8), so Alvarado will be eligible to return May 23 should he prove ready. Craig Kimbrel could handle the lion's share of the ninth-inning opportunities while Alvarado is out.

The Phillies reinstated Bellatti (triceps) off the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Bellatti will join the active roster as a replacement for left-hander Jose Alvarado, who was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. Bellatti missed a little over two weeks with right triceps tendinitis, but now that he's healthy again after tossing scoreless innings in both of his rehab appearances with Single-A Clearwater, he'll be a bridge option for the Phillies in the mid-to-late innings.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told reporters Wednesday that Crowe received a PRP injection in his right shoulder two weeks ago, and he's halfway through four weeks of not throwing, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Crowe is currently on the 60-day injured list because of his shoulder issues and isn't eligible to return to the Pittsburgh pitching staff until the end of June. The right-hander will likely be an option in the middle innings whenever he's ready to make his return.

Diaz walked one and struck out three over 1.1 scoreless innings to record his seventh save of the season in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Mets.

The Reds held a 7-1 lead at one point in the game, but Luke Weaver and Alex Young combined to serve up four homers and create a save situation for Diaz. The right-hander was sharp once again, extending his scoreless streak to 11 appearances, and he has yet to blow a save chance in 2023 while compiling a dominant 2.19 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 24:4 K:BB through 12.1 innings.