MLB Player News

Pomeranz (elbow) struck out two batters in a scoreless inning Friday in the first game of his rehab assignment for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

This was the first rehab appearance for Pomeranz since he underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow last August. He's been working his way back slowly but appears to have taken a significant step toward returning to the big club. Pomeranz figures to need multiple more rehab outings to get his arm back in game shape, but he could join the Padres at some point in the coming weeks.

Kahnle (forearm) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

According to Vassegh, this was Kahnle's third bullpen session since he landed on the injured list in mid-May. The veteran reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2020 and has pitched in only four games since, so Los Angeles is likely to bring him along slowly. Kahnle isn't expected to return to the big club until early September.

Littell's (oblique) rehab assignment was transferred from Single-A San Jose to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Across those two levels of the minors, Littell has allowed three hits and a walk while striking out three in four scoreless innings through four rehab appearances. Given the results so far, the right-hander doesn't seem too far away from rejoining the Giants.

Suarez pitched one inning against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits. He didn't strike out or walk any batters.

Suarez missed two months due to knee surgery, and this was his first appearance for San Diego following a minor-league rehab stint that kicked off in late July. The right-hander showed some rust, allowing a run on a pair of doubles. The Padres were down by four when Suarez entered the game in the eighth inning, so this was an opportunity for the reliever to get in some work in a low-leverage situation. He'll likely function in more of a setup role once he gets ramped back up.

The Nationals recalled Thompson from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Sunday's game in Philadelphia, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll be joining the Washington bullpen as a replacement for Jordan Weems, who was optioned after giving up three earned runs over 2.1 innings of long relief in Saturday's 11-5 loss. Thompson has previously made seven appearances for Washington this season, striking out four over six scoreless innings.

The Nationals optioned Weems to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Since Weems was unlikely to be available for the next two days after covering 2.1 innings out of the bullpen while giving up three earned runs on four hits in Saturday's 11-5 loss to the Phillies, the Nationals opted to move him off the 26-man active roster. Washington recalled Mason Thompson from Triple-A to fill Weems' spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

Bard saved Saturday's 3-2 victory against the Diamondbacks, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Bard's services were necessitated when Colorado took the lead in the top of the ninth and he delivered a clean inning to convert his 14th consecutive save opportunity. During the span, the 37-year-old has allowed four runs (three earned) across 27.1 innings. His 23 saves rank tied for sixth in the majors and he is the only member of the top-10 to play on a team with a losing record.

Gallegos saved Saturday's 1-0 victory against the Yankees, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

With closer Ryan Helsley finishing Friday's win, manager Oliver Marmol turned to Gallegos to lock up Saturday's victory. The 30-year-old battled with Aaron Judge and forced a flyout to the warning track, then struck out Josh Donaldson and Gleyber Torres to end the game. The save was Gallegos first since July 12, and he's squarely behind Helsley for closing duties, who has logged three saves since that date.

Wilson was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

It's not every day you see a pitcher with a 3.57 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 33 appearances sent packing. The Padres are getting Robert Suarez (knee) back from the injured list, and Wilson is a rookie with options. He should be back with the big-league team in short order.

Suarez (knee) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Suarez returns to the 40-man and 26-man rosters after he underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee back in June. A star closer in Japan, Suarez has earned only one save to date in his rookie season in Major League Baseball. However, he's proven to be a more-than-capable bullpen arm with a 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB in 22 appearances.