MLB Player News

Alzolay pitched two perfect innings to record the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rays. He struck out four.

The Cubs' bullpen was rested after Marcus Stroman went all nine innings Monday, but the team still elected to close things out with Alzolay instead of Mark Leiter, who worked the seventh inning. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) on the injured list, Leiter has seemingly been the favorite for saves, though Alzolay remains in the mix and now has two saves this year. His strong performance Tuesday could help him see more opportunities moving forward.

San Francisco activated Jackson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jackson is nearly 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery and will join the Giants' bullpen for Tuesday night's game against the visiting Pirates. He allowed four earned runs over 5.1 innings on a six-appearance minor-league rehab assignment and figures to be eased in as a lower-leverage option initially.

Luetge was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Tuesday.

This move clears out space on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters for young right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who is joining Atlanta's bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Athletics. Luetge had yielded 11 earned runs through 9.2 innings this season with the NL East leaders.

Alvarado (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment if Wednesday's workout goes smoothly. The hard-throwing left-hander was sporting a 0.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts and zero walks through 14.1 innings this year for the Phillies when he landed on the injured list May 10 due to elbow inflammation. He had also earned five saves and could eventually challenge Craig Kimbrel for a chunk of the team's ninth-inning opportunities.

Colorado recalled Calvo from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Calvo holds a rough 8.50 ERA in 18 innings of work this season at the Triple-A level, but the Rockies are desperate for fresh arms. The 27-year-old will presumably operate in a low-leverage relief role as he gets his first taste of MLB action.

Colorado optioned Kauffmann to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Kauffmann heads back to the minors after getting hammered for 17 runs -- 16 earned -- over his first three major-league starts covering 12.2 innings. That works out to an 11.37 ERA. Blair Calvo will join the Rockies' bullpen Tuesday in a corresponding move.

The Cubs optioned Rucker to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Rucker has yielded 10 earned runs over 8.1 innings across his last four appearances, causing his ERA to balloon from 2.45 to 5.48. He will head to Iowa in order to right the ship, and Hayden Wesneski was recalled to take Rucker's roster spot.

Heuer (elbow) will make another rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

This could be one of the final tests for Heuer, who struggled in the early part of his minor-league rehab stint but tallied two strikeouts over 1.1 hitless innings this past Saturday versus the Triple-A affiliate of the Brewers. He worked 1.2 scoreless frames for Iowa last Wednesday. The 26-year-old reliever is on the long road back from Tommy John surgery.

Bender (elbow) increased his flat-ground throwing Tuesday to 120 feet, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Bender needed Tommy John surgery in late August of last year and probably won't be ready to return to a major-league mound until the beginning of the 2024 season, but all of the reports from the early stages of his recovery have been encouraging.

Puk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Pensacola, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Puk could reclaim a majority share of the Marlins' closer role by the weekend, assuming all goes well on the farm. He had posted a sharp 3.07 ERA and 19:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings this season with Miami before landing on the injured list May 14 due to left elbow nerve irritation.