MLB Player News

Matzek (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Matzek began his rehab stint at Single-A Augusta on Monday but didn't make any appearances, and he'll progress to the Triple-A level several days later. While the southpaw seems to be closing in on a return, it's not yet clear which day he'll be able to rejoin the major-league club.

McArthur was recalled and placed on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow stress reaction Wednesday.

McArthur was working as a starter at Double-A Reading to begin the season, and he posted a 5.05 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 57 innings over 13 starts. However, he'll be forced to miss at least two months due to his elbow injury. It's not yet clear when the right-hander is expected to return, but he should head back to the minors once he's considered healthy.

Junis (hamstring) is expected to throw two or three more bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face hitters in live batting practice, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Junis felt fine after throwing approximately 20 pitches Tuesday at about 75-to-80 percent effort in what marked his first side session since landing on the 15-day injured list June 11. He's scheduled to throw off a mound again Friday, and if that schedule holds, he'll then throw a third bullpen session Monday. Junis could thus be ready to face hitters by next weekend before potentially embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment during the second week of July. That timeline could make it difficult for Junis to make it back before the All-Star break, though his absence is less of an issue with fellow starting pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Cobb having returned from the IL earlier this month.

Johnson (elbow) has resumed playing catch from about 90 feet, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson will need to increase his throwing distance to about 120 feet before he's cleared to resume mound work. The 31-year-old isn't expected to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until after the All-Star break.

Pomeranz (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions consisting of around 30 pitches at about 95 percent intensity for the past two weeks, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Assuming he's experienced no setbacks in his recovery from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent last August, Pomeranz should soon be ready to graduate to facing hitters in live batting practice. The Padres have yet to provide a clear timeline for Pomeranz to come off the 60-day injured list for his 2022 debut, but he likely won't be ready to go before the All-Star break.

Harvey (forearm) began a rehab assignment at the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Coast League affiliate Monday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Harvey threw 19 pitches during Monday's outing and struck out two in a perfect inning. The Nationals plan for the right-hander to make one more appearance in the Florida Coast League before progressing to the Double-A or Triple-A level.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Mears (elbow) hasn't yet resumed throwing, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mears experienced right forearm tightness following a rehab start at Triple-A Indianapolis last Wednesday, and he's been shut down for a week. However, Tomczyk hopes that the right-hander will resume throwing off flat ground in the coming days. A better idea of Mears' return timetable is unlikely to be revealed until he resumes mound work.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Bednar (back) won't be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game in Washington but is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Bednar hasn't pitched since Saturday on account of a sore lower back, an injury that may have played a part in him uncharacteristically walking two batters and surrendering two runs in a blown save during his last time on the mound. Prior to that game, Bednar had produced a 1.30 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB across 34.2 innings while notching 11 saves in 13 chances, so he should have a decent amount of job security as the Pirates' closer.

Hudson (6-4) gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to earn the win in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday.

Hudson gave up three runs in the third inning, but his offense bailed him out with a four-run tally in the bottom of the fifth to help him to his sixth win of the season. Hudson hasn't yet snapped fully back to form following Tommy John surgery, as he's only recorded 44 strikeouts over 80 innings and carries a pedestrian 1.35 WHIP. The most encouraging sign for the 27-year-old right-hander is that he's healthy and consistently making starts in a Cardinals rotation which has been hit with injuries to Steven Matz (shoulder), Jack Flaherty (shoulder) and Jordan Hicks (forearm). Look for him to take the mound Sunday at Philadelphia.

Helsley earned his sixth save in Tuesday's win over the Marlins, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out the side.

Helsley was dominant when called in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth. He fanned Garrett Cooper and Avisail Garcia with high-90s four-seamers and Jesus Aguilar with a nasty 79 mph curveball. The power pitcher continues to hold up his end of the closer tandem with Giovanny Gallegos and now has six saves on the season to go along with an elite 12.7 K/9 rate.