MLB Player News

Pivetta (forearm) played catch Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

Though Pivetta's throwing was on flat ground in the outfield at Nationals Park, it was still a significant step given that it was the first time he has played catch since landing on the injured list April 14. The veteran pitcher is expected to continue playing catch on flat ground for at least two weeks before a determination is made about his next steps. Acee reports that the Padres are being cautious with Pivetta as well as with fellow injured starter Joe Musgrove (elbow). It's quite possible that neither pitcher will be ready to return until after the All-Star break.

Brown (2-2) earned the win over St. Louis on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six batters over seven innings.

Brown was in control throughout the contest, and he gave up only one hit outside of the fourth inning. The right-hander began the campaign in the bullpen, and Saturday marked his fifth start of the season. Though Brown hasn't yet quite worked his way up to a full starter's workload -- he's thrown 82, 83 and 82 pitches in his past three outings -- that hasn't prevented him from going plenty deep, as he's collected a quality start in each of his past two appearances. The 26-year-old has also fanned at least six batters in each of his past four starts, rewarding fantasy managers who scooped him up despite his struggles as a starter in previous campaigns. Brown seems to have come into his own this season, as he now holds a 1.92 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB across 51.2 innings.

Iglesias notched a save against the Reds on Saturday by tossing a perfect inning, during which he struck out one batter.

The veteran closer had little trouble putting Cincinnati away, retiring the side in order on 15 pitches (10 strikes) to maintain a three-run lead. Iglesias missed 15 days in late April and early May due to a shoulder issue, but the injury didn't set him back at all. Since returning to action, he's gone 5-for-5 in save chances while giving up just two runs and posting a 10:2 K:BB over nine innings. Overall this season, Iglesias has converted all 10 of his save opportunities and has a sterling 1.02 ERA across 17.2 frames.

Phillips (0-1) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday; allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with two strikeouts over five innings.

Phillips allowed four baserunners and three runs in the fourth inning, with that one frame being enough to send him to a loss. Overall he threw just 43 of 72 pitches for strikes and generated only six whiffs. On the bright side, it was his longest outing of the season in both innings and pitches as he continues to get stretched out as a rotation option. The 28-year-old will carry a 1.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB across 38.2 innings (two starts, 15 relief appearances) into a home matchup against the Rays next weekend.

Soto earned the save in Saturday's 10-9 win over the Twins, allowing no hits and one walk with no strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Soto was summoned with a one-run lead and two men on in the eighth inning and retired Kody Clemens before closing things out in the ninth. He's now gone five straight appearances without allowing a hit or a run and has kept opponents off the board in 10 of 12 outings in May while converting six of seven save chances during that span. On the season, he owns a 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB with seven saves across 27.2 innings while establishing himself as Pittsburgh's primary ninth-inning option.

Beeter earned the save in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Padres, allowing no hits and two walks with one strikeout over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Beeter relieved Gus Varland with the bases loaded and a three-run lead in the eighth inning and was able to record the final out before tossing a scoreless ninth to nail down his third save. In four appearances since returning from the injured list May 21, the 27-year-old Beeter has fired 4.1 scoreless frames with a 5:4 K:BB. He owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB across 14.2 innings this season and should have a good chance to reclaim the primary closer's role given the lack of success his teammates had in his absence.

The Rockies placed Herrera on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to left elbow inflammation.

Herrera pitched just one-third of an inning during his last appearance Friday versus the Giants and seems to have picked up an elbow injury in the process. He'll remain on the shelf until at least June 14, and his spot on the 26-man active roster will go to Ryan Feltner (elbow), who was reinstated from the IL to start Saturday's game against San Francisco.

The Reds designated Nicolas for assignment Saturday.

Nicolas has been at Triple-A Louisville since late April, but he'll now also lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Lyon Richardson, who was selected to the active roster Saturday. Nicolas gave up seven earned runs in just 7.1 innings during his time with the big club and hasn't performed much better in the minors, accumulating a 5.17 ERA and 2.24 WHIP in 15.2 frames.

The Reds selected Richardson's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Richardson has been with Louisville all season, turning in a 4.75 ERA and 1.26 WHIP alongside a 34:14 K:BB through 30.1 innings. He'll head to the majors as a replacement for Pierce Johnson (elbow) and likely be limited to low-leverage work as long as he's with the Reds. Kyle Nicolas was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Reds placed Johnson on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday, with right elbow inflammation.

Johnson's injury helps to explain why he hasn't pitched in a game since Tuesday. He received a cortisone shot in his right elbow Saturday, and with the MRI results coming back negative, Johnson expressed optimism about a minimum-length stint on the IL, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. Tony Santillan figures to handle a larger share of high-leverage opportunities while Johnson is out, and Lyon Richardson will come up from Triple-A Louisville to fill the void in Cincinnati's bullpen.