MLB Player News

Jacob (shoulder) was assigned to Double-A San Antonio on April 19 and has since made two relief appearances for the affiliate, giving up one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over two innings.

Jacob's season debut was slightly delayed while he worked his way back from a right shoulder injury. The 24-year-old right-hander is one of the better relief prospects in the San Diego system and is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he submitted a 2.68 ERA while striking out 77 over 57 innings across stops with three affiliates.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said April 19 that Kranick (elbow) has been cleared to play catch four times per week at a distance of 125 feet, MLB.com reports.

Kranick, who is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last June, looks like he could be ready to begin throwing bullpen sessions at some point in May. The 25-year-old right-hander looks like he has a chance to return from the 60-day injured list this season, though likely not until August or September.

Manaea will start Saturday for the Giants in their game in Mexico City versus the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Manaea threw 1.1 innings in relief Tuesday against the Cardinals, so he'll be pitching on three days' rest. The left-hander has made three starts and two relief appearances this season and has struggled in both roles (6.61 ERA), although he's been better in his customary starting role with a 5.54 ERA and 15:5 K:BB in 13 innings. He's not a recommended streaming option this weekend.

Sims (1-0) blew the save but picked up the win Wednesday against Texas. He struck out two over a scoreless inning.

Sims came on in relief in the ninth inning after Ian Gibault departed with runners on first and second and no outs. He'd allow a sacrifice fly to Brad Miller, tieing the game 3-3, before recording a pair of strikeouts to avoid further damage. Sims has made four appearances this season without allowing a run, striking out four in 3.2 innings. Sims is arguably the Reds' best option in the bullpen behind Alexis Diaz, though he doesn't have a clear path towards fantasy relevance.

Graterol (personal) is expected to return from the paternity list for Friday's game against the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Graterol has been away from the Dodgers since Tuesday. The right-hander should be back for the series against St. Louis and pitching in a high-leverage role. Max Muncy is also expected back Friday for the Dodgers.

The Pirates placed Crowe on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder discomfort, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Crowe had been knocked around in his last two appearances out of the bullpen and is now in for an extended absence. The Pirates haven't provided a timeline for Crowe's return from the IL.

The Padres recalled Cosgrove from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Cosgrove will head to the big leagues for the first time since entering the professional ranks in 2017 as a 12th-round draft pick. He'll be joining the San Diego bullpen as another left-handed option after southpaw Ryan Weathers was sent to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Over his seven appearances with El Paso this season, Cosgrove struck out seven and had allowed just five baserunners in 7.1 innings.

The Pirates selected Bolton's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Bolton officially is up from Indianapolis to replace Wil Crowe, who as placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort. Now that he's with the Pirates, Bolton will likely serve as a middle-innings arm out of the bullpen.

The Padres optioned Weathers to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Even though Weathers fared well over his first three starts of the season with the big club (2.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP in 16 innings), the Padres had no room for him in the rotation following Joe Musgrove's recent return from the injured list. Weathers was able to stick with the Padres over the past week in a relief role, but since the organization still wants the 23-year-old lefty to continue his development as a starter, he'll head back to El Paso to make regular turns through the rotation. The Friars recalled lefty Tom Cosgrove from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Heuer (elbow) threw a 25-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Heuer said he felt good during and after the workout and added that he's lined up for another simulated game in the next few days. Nearing the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last March, the 26-year-old reliever should be an option for the Cubs in the early part of the summer.