MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Mantiply (shoulder) might only need one rehab appearance, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Mantiply is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance Wednesday with Double-A Amarillo, and it sounds like it could also be his last. The 32-year-old reliever began the 2023 season on the 15-day injured list after battling left shoulder fatigue toward the end of spring training, but he's been throwing without issue for a couple of weeks.

Arizona placed McGough on the paternity leave list Tuesday.

McGough has been excused from the Diamondbacks as he welcomes a new member of his growing family. The 33-year-old reliever holds an 8.10 ERA through 3.1 innings of work this season. Jose Ruiz, acquired from the White Sox on Sunday, will join the Arizona bullpen in his place.

Bard (personal) faced live hitters Tuesday for the first time since landing on the injured list March 30, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Bard remains on the 15-day injured list while he works through anxiety, but he's staying ready as part of a throwing progression and could perhaps feel well enough mentally to be activated before the end of April. Pierce Johnson has been serving as Colorado's primary closer in Bard's absence.

Heuer (elbow) will throw a one-inning live batting practice Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery back in March 2022, Heuer continues to progress through the rehab process and has now been cleared to face hitters. He still has a ways to go and will likely require a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment, but he remains on track to return around mid-June.

Villalobos was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Tuesday and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Villalobos had been designated for assignment Sunday by the Marlins. The 25-year-old right-hander was off to an ugly start this season at Triple-A Jacksonville, but he posted a 2.86 ERA and 101:29 K:BB over 78.2 innings of relief between the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2022.

Finnegan picked up the save in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Angels, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning.

Finnegan came on in the ninth with a two-run lead and retired Jake Lamb and Taylor Ward before striking out Mike Trout to end the game. After allowing five runs in a blown save last week versus Tampa Bay, Finnegan has posted three straight scoreless outings and has a strikeout in each of those appearances.

Chafin picked up the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Brewers by striking out the side during a perfect ninth inning.

Chafin came on in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and proceeded to strike out Joey Wiemer, Christian Yelich and Willy Adames en route to his second save of the season. The left-hander has yet to allow a run across five appearances (4.1 innings) while striking out seven versus just two walks. Scott McGough, who blew a save last week, has operated in hold situations in each of his past two appearances, so it appears Chafin has the early edge in Arizona's closing competition.

Mantiply (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Amarillo, Nick Piecoro and Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic report.

Mantiply, who opened the season on the 15-day injured list with what the team described as "shoulder fatigue," started the return process by throwing to live batters Friday. "The bullpens, the live BPs that he's thrown, everything's ticked up and he's feeling very, very good," manager Torey Lovullo said. The left-hander was projected for a back-end bullpen role before the shoulder issue struck. Since then, Andrew Chafin (two saves) has emerged as the primary lefty to close games. Mantiply is eligible to activated Tuesday, so a return appears imminent.

Law (0-2) was charged with a loss and a blown save against Atlanta on Monday. He did not record an out.

The 32-year-old had the chance to save a 4-3 game in the 10th inning but promptly gave up a two-run shot to Sean Murphy on his first pitch. Law had a save and a hold through three scoreless appearances but has now been tagged with four runs and a pair of losses in his last two games. Alexis Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth inning Monday.

Minter allowed two runs on three hits in one inning during Monday's extra-inning win over the Reds. He was charged with a blown save.

Minter was tasked with protecting a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning, but he quickly gave it up before recording an out. He escaped before the Reds could take the lead and Atlanta ended up winning in the 10th inning on Sean Murphy's walkoff shot. Minter had tossed five shutout innings with one save prior to Monday's poor outing.