MLB Player News

Ortiz struck out four and allowed one run on three hits and no walks over two innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Cardinals.

Ortiz had covered six innings while striking out seven batters -- both season highs -- while serving as a starter in his previous appearance June 26 in Cincinnati, but the Pirates seem to have moved him back to the bullpen following Martin Perez's return from the injured list. The Pirates have since placed another starter in Jared Jones (lat) on the IL, but Quinn Priester (lat) could be on track to return from the IL to fill Jones' open rotation spot, which next comes up Sunday versus the Mets. Ortiz would be a candidate to start Sunday if the Pirates insead elect to have Priester make another rehab start in the minors before coming off the IL.

Bivens is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Erik Miller in Friday's game against the Guardians, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bivens tossed five innings of one-run ball in his first MLB start in his most recent appearance this past Sunday against the Dodgers, but he'll be available out of the bullpen for what's essentially his second turn through the rotation. The right-hander will most likely shift into a more traditional bullpen role after Friday, as the Giants should get one or both of Kyle Harrison (ankle) or Blake Snell (groin) back from the injured list by next week.

Atlanta transferred Kerr (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of outfielder Eli White. Kerr is out for 2024 and perhaps all of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery last month.

Houser (1-5) took the loss Thursday against the Nationals, striking out two and giving up a solo home run in an inning of relief.

The Mets managed only one hit on the day, but Jose Quintana kept the game scoreless through seven innings. Houser took the mound for the eighth and served up a one-out blast to Jesse Winker, and that was all the offense the Nats needed. It was the first long ball Houser had allowed in 23.2 innings since being shifted to the bullpen in late May, and the 31-year-old right-hander has been mostly effective in relief, posting a 1.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB during that stretch.

Miller will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher in Friday's game in Cleveland, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's a role Miller is familiar with and has succeeded at, having opened eight times already this season and allowed two runs (one earned) over 8.2 innings. Spencer Bivens is a candidate for bulk relief Friday.

Beeks picked up the save in a win over the Brewers on Thursday, hurling 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out one.

Beeks relieved Tyler Kinley with two outs and two on in the eighth and got Garrett Mitchell to go down on strikes to escape the jam. The lefty returned for the ninth and went 1-2-3 through the top of Milwaukee's lineup to secure his seventh save of the season and his first since May 31 against the Dodgers. Beeks has not allowed an earned run in any of his last three appearances while posting at least one strikeout in each of those outings.

Doval allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-2 win over Atlanta.

Doval has converted his first two save chances in July after a tumultuous June that saw him produce two four-run blowups. He's allowed one run over his last seven innings, converting four of his five save chances in that span. Overall, he's 16-for-19 in saves with a 4.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB through 34.2 innings, though his status as the Giants' closer hasn't been threatened.

Neris tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Thursday's 10-2 win over the Phillies. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

After a rough patch in the middle of June, Neris has now strung together four straight scoreless appearances. That's allowed the veteran reliever to lower his season ERA to a more respectable 4.11. Neris logged a stellar 1.71 ERA across 68.1 innings last year for the Astros, so there is potential for continued improvement in 2024. The better play has also likely kept him locked into the closer role for the time being.

Suarez allowed a walk during a scoreless inning of relief Thursday to pick up the save against the Rangers. He struck out one.

Suarez picked up the save for the second consecutive day, giving him 22 in 23 opportunities on the season. Suarez has not allowed a run in 32 of his 35 appearances, posting a season-long ERA of 1.02 with a 0.76 WHIP and 33 strikeouts over 35.1 innings.

Castro (shoulder) threw 17 pitches in an appearance with Triple-A Reno on Wednesday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Castro will make another appearance Saturday, with the goal of throwing between 25 and 35 pitches. If that outing goes well, he could be activated for the start of Arizona's series against Atlanta on Monday.