MLB Player News

The Dodgers are expected to place Graterol on the paternity list prior to Tuesday's series opener in Pittsburgh, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol is one of two Dodgers players who is expected to skip the three-game series in Pittsburgh while awaiting the birth of a child, as Max Muncy (personal) has already been confirmed to be placed on the paternity list. The Dodgers haven't yet announced a replacement on the 26-man active roster for Graterol, but Los Angeles could activate Evan Phillips -- who was placed on the paternity list last Thursday -- in a corresponding move. Phillips should then have a clear path to closing duties throughout the series in Pittsburgh.

Milwaukee recalled Cousins from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Cousins will provide a fresh arm after the Brewers' bullpen was roughed up Sunday. The 28-year-old has major control issues but also boasts a 2.70 ERA with 65 strikeouts over 43.1 innings in the majors the last two seasons.

The Brewers designated Guerra for assignment Monday.

Guerra held an 8.64 ERA and 5:9 K:BB over 8.1 innings to earn a ticket off the 40-man roster. The former position player has a big arm but hasn't been able to find consistency since converting to pitching.

The Marlins optioned Soriano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

He's a victim of the Marlins needing a fresh arm in the bullpen, as he wasn't going to be available for a bit after throwing 47 pitches Sunday in Cleveland. Soriano pitched well in his first taste of the majors, though, so he should be back with the big club before long.

The Marlins selected Nolin's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After the Marlins acquired him from the Twins earlier this month, Nolin had made just one appearance with his new organization, allowing four runs -- three earned -- over four innings in an April 19 start for Jacksonville. He'll give the bullpen a fresh arm for Monday's series opener in Atlanta, and though the Marlins currently have an opening in the rotation for Tuesday, the veteran left-hander is uncertain to get the start even if he goes unused Monday.

Graterol earned a save against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.

Graterol got the call in the eighth inning with Los Angeles up by two runs. He gave up a two-out double but completed the scoreless frame on just 12 pitches. The Dodgers put up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, and Graterol was allowed to finish off the win despite allowing two singles in the bottom of the frame. The save was his first of the season, and the outing extended his streak of appearances without allowing a run to six. Evan Phillips, who has two saves this season, wasn't with the team Sunday while on paternity leave, so it's not certain how manager Dave Roberts would have deployed the pair of relivers under normal circumstances. However, the team hasn't yet indicated a commitment to a full-time closer, so both Phillips and Graterol should be seen as candidates for ninth-inning duties for the time being.

Barnes struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Guardians.

Jesus Luzardo got the hook with one out in the fifth inning and his club down 4-1, but Barnes kept Miami in the game for another couple frames with an impressive performance. The veteran right-hander hasn't been in the high-leverage mix to begin the season, but that could soon change as he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings to begin his tenure with the Marlins.

McHugh (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, MLB.com reports.

McHugh made a three-inning rehab appearance with High-A Rome this past Friday and has bounced back with no issues. He's been out since early April with right shoulder soreness but is ready to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen.

Minter (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Sunday, coughing up three runs on three hits and a walk in one inning as Atlanta fell 5-2 to the Astros. He struck out three.

It was a tough outing for the southpaw, who entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning and promptly allowed a two-run single to Yordan Alvarez to tie the game. Minter then gave up another run himself before getting the hook in the ninth and watching Danny Young allow two of the runners he inherited to cross the plate. Minter has been tagged for five runs over his last two appearances, sending his ERA soaring to 5.73, and he's just 4-for-6 in converting save chances. With Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) set to throw live batting practice Monday before embarking on a rehab assignment, Minter's stint as closer could be ending on a sour note.

Kinley (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The side session marked Kinley's first mound work since he underwent surgery last June to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. Though Kinley is said to be on track in his recovery from surgery, he's still likely to remain on the 60-day injured list for much of the first half of the season while he gradually builds up the intensity of his throwing workouts.