MLB Player News

Manager Bud Black said Thursday that Kinley (elbow) is continuing to throw bullpen sessions without issue, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Kinley might soon be cleared to face live hitters for the first time since he required surgery last June to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. If all continues to go well, the 32-year-old could join the Rockies' bullpen sometime in July.

Finnegan struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 10th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Padres.

The right-hander's numbers on the season remain ugly, but Finnegan has been fairly reliable since a bumpy beginning to 2023. He's been scored upon in only three of his last 17 appearances, posting a 1.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 16.2 innings over that stretch while converting nine of 10 save chances.

Weathers (1-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Padres were downed 5-3 by the Nationals, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

Three errors on the night by San Diego didn't help matters, but Weathers also had trouble putting batters away, managing only eight swinging strikes among his 93 pitches. The southpaw has lost three straight starts for the Padres sandwiched around a couple relief appearances and a stint at Triple-A El Paso, posting a 4.58 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB through 19.2 big-league innings over that stretch. With Seth Lugo (calf) potentially able to return from the injured list at the beginning of June and the team having an off day Monday, it's not clear if Weathers will get another turn in the rotation.

Chafin did not pitch in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

The Diamondbacks had a save situation -- entering the ninth inning up 5-3 -- but none of Chafin, Miguel Castro or Kyle Nelson were available after throwing three of the last four days. Jose Ruiz tried to close the door but gave up a two-run home run to Trea Turner before taking the loss in the 10th.

Castro was not used for a save opportunity in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Philadelphia.

None of Arizona's most trusted bullpen arms were available due to heavy usage this week. Castro had pitched three of the last four days, as had Andrew Chafin and Kyle Nelson. With a 5-3 lead entering the ninth inning, manager Torey Lovullo tried to get by with Jose Ruiz, but he allowed a two-run home run with two outs that sent the game into an extra frame.

Leiter earned a save against the Mets on Wednesday with a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

Leiter had been struggling a bit coming into this week, allowing three runs (two earned) over his previous three appearances. He got five days off before striking out two and notching a hold over 1.1 perfect innings Tuesday, then got the call in the ninth Wednesday with the Cubs leading by two. Leiter made quick work of New York, retiring the side on 10 pitches to pick up the save. The Cubs' closer situation remains hazy, but Leiter may be the best bet for ninth-inning opportunities given his strong numbers this season (1.77 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB over 20.1 innings). He's notched two of the team's five saves on the campaign.

Kauffmann (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Miami. He struck out two.

Kauffmann has lasted 4.1 innings in each of his first two starts, allowing a total of nine runs to date. The Marlins chased him in the fifth, as four of the five batters he faced reached base. Kauffmann had a 7.78 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A before the call up to the majors. If the rookie gets another turn in the rotation, he won't be a recommended fantasy option.

Kimbrel (3-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.

Kimbrel stranded the free runner on second base in the top of the 10th inning, setting up the Phillies to walk it off in the bottom half of the frame. The 34-year-old Kimbrel has been solid of late, allowing just one run on two hits over his last six innings while striking out 13 in that span. He lowered his ERA to 6.00 with a 1.33 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB through 18 innings this season.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Pomeranz underwent "cleanup surgery" on his elbow Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It sounds like arthroscopic surgery, which carries a far shorter timetable than other elbow procedures and will keep hope alive that Pomeranz can be a contributor at some point in 2023. He hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2021 due to a range of different injuries, the most notable of those being a flexor tendon strain.

Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alexander will likely work an inning or two before the Giants turn the game over to the bullpen. In 21 appearances this season, the veteran lefty has registered a 4.42 ERA with a 9:4 K:BB over 18.1 innings.