MLB Player News

Strop (groin) faced hitters at the Reds' alternate training site Wednesday and is nearing a return from the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Strop was placed on the injured list Aug. 11, retroactive to Aug. 8. The right-hander has appeared in four games this season, allowing one run while striking out three over 2.1 innings.

Sborz was recalled from the Dodgers' alternate training site Thursday.

Sborz spent time with the big club earlier in the season but failed to make an appearance. He'll take the roster spot of the injured Pedro Baez (groin). Across seven appearances with the Dodgers last season, Sborz allowed eight earned runs across nine innings of relief.

Howard allowed one run on five hits and two walks across 3.2 innings in the 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Howard was able to take the ball Thursday despite exiting his last start early due to a blister on his middle finger. Although his day was capped at 3.2 innings and 67 pitches, the right-hander's five strikeouts demonstrate why he is considered Philadelphia's top prospect. The 24-year-old will look to work deeper into the game when he toes the rubber next week against Washington.

Harvey exited Thursday's game against the Astros with an apparent injury, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Harvey immediately waived to the dugout following a pitch in the sixth inning and subsequently exited the game with a trainer. He'll undergo further evaluation following the game, at which point more specifics regarding the injury should be known.

Castano's scheduled start vs. the Mets on Thursday was has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The Mets apparently produced a pair of positive test results, resulting in the postponement of Thursday's series finale. The Marlins have yet to announce how they will adjust their rotation following the postponement, leaving Castano's next start up in the air.

Martin (neck) was activated from the injured list Thursday.

Martin wound up missing two weeks with an esophageal constriction. Prior to landing on the shelf, the right-hander allowed one run across four innings of relief. Kyle Wright was sent to the team's alternate training site to make room on the roster for Martin.

Venditte was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a strained right oblique.

Venditte suffered the injury earlier in the week, and an MRI on Wednesday confirmed the severity of the issue. The Marlins have not offered up a timetable for Venditte's return, though he'll be eligible for activation at the end of August should he prove ready. Miguel Rojas was activated from the IL on Thursday in a corresponding move.

Webb (1-1) was credited with the victory in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cubs on Wednesday, firing 1.1 perfect innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

The left-hander got four valuable outs in the seven-inning affair, bouncing back from his one hiccup of the season in the process. Webb had taken the loss in Game 2 of Monday's twin bill versus the Cubs by yielding three earned runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning, the only outing among his six appearances during which he's been scored upon thus far.

Romero is serving as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

He will likely be used as a long man if either game gets out of hand. Romero, a 23-year-old lefty, has yet to make his MLB debut and logged a 6.88 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A last year.

Helsley (illness) is expected to enter the second phase of the re-entry process for gaining clearance to resume baseball activities during the early portion of the team's upcoming 11-day, 12-game homestand, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The hard-throwing right-hander has reportedly dealt with a slight fever during his bout with coronavirus, but this latest report seems to imply Helsley could be on his way back to full health. The 26-year-old will have to produce two negative COVID-19 test results at least 24 hours apart in order to officially enter the second phase of the re-entry process, which includes a cardiac evaluation and an antibody blood test. Helsley made two appearances during which he fired 2.2 scoreless innings before the Cardinals' season was paused for over two weeks due to the team's COVID outbreak.