MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Young to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Young was expected to be the Mets' roster casualty as a result of Edwin Diaz's (shoulder) return, and his move to Syracuse is now official. The left-hander has allowed just one run in nine innings with the Mets and also boasts a 1.59 ERA in the minors, so it's likely he rejoins New York's bullpen at some point later in the summer.

The Mets reinstated Diaz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Diaz has been on the injured list since late May due to a right shoulder impingement. He fired two shutout innings with High-A Brooklyn during a rehab assignment, and manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that the Mets will make Diaz their closer once again after the team had used a committee approach leading up to the injury. The 30-year-old righty currently owns a 5.40 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 30:7 K:BB through 20 innings on the year and has converted five of his nine save opportunities.

The Nationals claimed Salazar off waivers from the Mariners on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Salazar will remain in the minor leagues as he switches organizations for the second time this season, but he will still hold a 40-man roster spot. The 26-year-old righty has pitched two scoreless innings in the majors this year with the Dodgers, though he has struggled to a 5.59 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 37 Triple-A innings.

Robertson (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Friday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in the live session, Robertson could stick around with Springfield and begin a rehab assignment in the coming days. Robertson turned in a 4.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 12.1 innings across his eight relief appearances for the Cardinals before landing on the 15-day injured list May 26 due to right elbow inflammation.

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien has been cleared for game action with Springfield after he threw live batting practice for the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate earlier this week. The right-hander has been on the shelf since March 31 with a forearm strain, so he'll presumably require multiple rehab outings in the minors before he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Gallegos (shoulder) is scheduled to make a one-inning rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos has already made five appearances between Springfield and Triple-A Memphis since landing on the 15-day injured list May 6 with a right shoulder impingement, but he presumably needs to turn in better results before he's reinstated. While covering 5.1 innings during his rehab assignment, Gallegos has given up five earned runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks while striking out four. He's shown improvement lately with two straight clean appearances, and another strong showing Friday could be enough for him to get activated.

Reds manager David Bell said Spiers will start Monday's game in Pittsburgh, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Spiers was called up from Triple-A Louisville last Sunday and was immediately put to work in long relief later that day in the Reds' series finale against the Cubs. With starter Frankie Montas getting chased from the game midway through the top of the second, Spiers stepped in and struck out seven batters over 5.2 shutout innings while allowing just six baserunners. Prior to the call-up, Spiers had already been stretched out as a starter at Louisville and compiled a 2.51 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 46.2 innings, and on the heels of his impressive showing out of the bullpen, he'll now get a chance to fill the opening in the big-league rotation that was created by Graham Ashcraft's recent demotion. Nick Martinez had worked as a primary pitcher behind an opener the last time Ashcraft's turn came up Tuesday versus the Guardians, but he'll presumably move into a more traditional bullpen role now that Spiers has been awarded a start.

The Pirates optioned Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Ryan had just been called up Tuesday and didn't make an appearance during his most recent stint with the big club. He was removed from the 26-man active roster to make room in the bullpen for right-hander Dennis Santana, who will be available for Thursday's game agains the Cardinals after being claimed off waivers from the Yankees earlier this week.

Finnegan gave up a solo home run and struck out one in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his 19th save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Tigers.

Riley Greene took Finnegan deep with one out to make things interesting, but the right-hander slammed the door shut from there. Finnegan has served up three homers in his last 10 appearances, a worrying trend, but those account for the only three earned runs he's allowed during that stretch. On the season, he sports a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB through 28.1 innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said Grove will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Grove made 18 starts with the Dodgers between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but he's worked almost exclusively as a reliever in 2024. During his lone other start this season back on April 28 against the Blue Jays, Grove covered just two innings and gave up three earned runs before turning the game over to the bullpen. He'll be working Thursday on just one day of rest and is unlikely to cover more than 1-to-3 innings before he exits the contest.