MLB Player News

Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Estrada has spun four scoreless innings in the majors this season but nonetheless finds himself back in the minors. He's clearing out to make room for Thursday's starter, Jameson Taillon, who was activated from the 15-day injured list.

Kimbrel (1-1) took the loss in Wednesday's 10-6 loss against the Dodgers. He allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning.

Kimbrel could record only one out in the bottom of the ninth before Max Muncy hit a walkoff grand slam, handing the Phillies a 10-6 loss and a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers. The veteran right-hander has struggled in his last two outings, allowing six earned runs on four hits (including two homers), following a stretch of eight consecutive scoreless appearances. His ERA is up to an unsightly 8.25 with a 1.75 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB. Jose Alvarado should be the preferred option for saves moving forward.

Graterol (1-1) blew the save but picked up the win in Wednesday's 10-6 victory over Philadelphia. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Graterol entered with one out in the ninth and coaxed a ground out from Trea Turner. However, he'd surrender two hits and a walk with two outs, allowing the Phillies to tie the game 6-6. After striking out Alec Bohm to end the inning, Graterol would pick up the win after Max Muncy's walkoff grand slam in the bottom of the frame. Wednesday's outing snapped a stretch of 8.1 consecutive scoreless innings for Graterol. He has a 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 11:2 K:BB and two saves through 13 innings this season.

Finnegan picked up the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Cubs, tossing a scoreless ninth in which he gave up two hits. He didn't strike out or walk any batters.

Finnegan allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the ninth, but he was able to secure his seventh save after inducing a double play. It was the second night in a row the right-hander was called upon to shut down the Cubs, and he's now converted six consecutive chances after giving up five runs versus Tampa Bay on April 4. Overall the numbers still don't look pretty (6.00 ERA and 1.58 WHIP), but Finnegan has allowed just one run over his past 10 outings (9.2 innings) and holds a 10:2 K:BB during that stretch.

Ottavino (0-2) blew the save and took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers, giving up two runs on two hits and a hit-by-pitch in an inning of relief. He struck out two.

Entering the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Mets ahead 5-4, Ottavino couldn't get the job done as Eric Haase smacked a two-run single to right-center with two outs. It's the first blown save the veteran right-hander has been charged with this season, although he was being used to set up David Robertson on Wednesday. Through 12 appearances and 11 innings, Ottavino has a 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB, and while he remains in the high-leverage mix, he's clearly the second option for saves in the bullpen behind Robertson.

Assad was recalled Wednesday from Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Assad will presumably work out of the bullpen, though it's worth noting that the Cubs have yet to announce a starter for Thursday's series finale against the Nationals. The 25-year-old right-hander has allowed eight earned runs over 7.1 innings (one start, two relief appearances) this season at the MLB level.

Doval picked up the save Wednesday against the Astros. He allowed a walk while logging a strikeout over one scoreless inning.

Doval has earned saves in back-to-back games against the Astros, improving to 5-for-6 in save opportunities this season. The 25-year-old closer has been solid of late, allowing just one run in his last six appearances (five innings). Doval's ERA is down to 2.77 with a 1.23 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB through his first 13 innings this season.

Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday on his right shoulder and will be sidelined 4-to-6 months, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Rodriguez was placed on the injured list prior to Opening Day after experiencing shoulder tightness toward the end of Cardinals camp this spring. After undergoing surgery, the Rule 5 Draft pick looks likely to miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign. He logged three rehab appearances at Triple-A Memphis last month before his shoulder began barking again.

Nelson (hamstring) made the fourth appearance of his rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Reading, tossing five innings and striking out four while allowing an unearned run on six hits and no walks.

Nelson has made all but four of his 69 career MLB appearances as a reliever, but the Phillies have been getting him stretched out a starter since he began his rehab assignment April 18. He's scheduled to make another rehab start Sunday, likely with either Reading or Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phillies don't have a rotation spot available for him at the moment, so Nelson will likely be optioned to Triple-A once his 30-day rehab window closes and he's officially activated from the 15-day injured list.

Bellatti (triceps) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson relayed that Bellatti looked good while throwing around 25 pitches Tuesday. Bellatti is in line to head to the Phillies' spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla. for two throwing sessions over the weekend before he begins a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley next week.