MLB Player News

The Reds placed Wilson on the 15-day injured list Friday with left shoulder tightness.

Wilson struck out the only batter he faced during Thursday's win over the Dodgers on three pitches, but he is dealing with shoulder problems following the appearance. With the 36-year-old southpaw sidelined for at least the next two weeks, Carson Spiers will come up from Triple-A Louisville to fill the open spot on Cincinnati's pitching staff.

The Dodgers optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Ramirez was recalled for Thursday's game against the Reds. He pitched 2.1 innings and gave up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter. Ramirez has appeared in six major-league games this season, registering a 3.86 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 9.1 frames. The Dodgers recalled right-hander Ricky Vanasco in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers recalled Vanasco from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Vanasco made his major-league debut April 15 against the Nationals, throwing two scoreless innings while striking out one batter. He was optioned to Triple-A the next day, and he has not yielded an earned run over his last four relief appearances with Oklahoma City. To make room for Vanasco, the Dodgers optioned southpaw Nick Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Johnson (elbow) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day IL on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

After throwing a live bullpen session Wednesday, Johnson was expected to be activated prior to Friday's series opener against the Padres. However, he'll get one more day for recovery before rejoining the active roster Saturday. Friday's contest is the first of 17 straight for Atlanta, so Johnson's likely to see plenty of opportunities once available.

Almonte (shoulder) remains shut down but hopes to resume a throwing program next week, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.

Almonte landed on the 15-day injured list almost a week ago with a right shoulder strain and is currently limited to doing strengthening exercises. However, the Cubs hope he won't need a long absence. Almonte boasts a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 15.2 innings this season.

Banda was traded from the Guardians to the Dodgers for cash considerations Friday.

Banda will head to Los Angeles after playing with the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate in Colombus. The 30-year-old left-hander logged a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with a 25:6 K:BB across 17.0 IP with the Clippers this season.

Merryweather (ribs/back) could start a throwing program Monday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The right-hander has been shut down since he suffered a rib stress fracture in his back in early April but is now ready to begin a throwing program. Merryweather will be eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June but will likely require more time before being reinstated.

The Cubs placed Brewer on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's not clear when Brewer's back began bothering him, but his last appearance came Sunday in Pittsburgh. He's been an effective middle reliever for the Cubs this season, collecting a 3.09 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Porter Hodge will take his spot in the bullpen.

Diekman gave up an unearned run in the 11th inning Thursday, walking one and striking out one, to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

The veteran southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from coming home thanks in part to a Pete Alonso error, but Diekman otherwise wiggled out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to preserve the comeback win. Edwin Diaz had blown his third save of the season in the ninth inning, but the Mets aren't yet showing any inclination to make a switch at closer. Diekman's control issues could keep him out of consideration for saves even if the job does become open, however -- through 14 innings this season he has a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB.

Lopez (1-0) picked up the win in Thursday's extra-innings victory over the Phillies, walking one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

The 31-year-old right-hander has seen his numbers take a step backward in May, and through seven innings this month he has a 3.86 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB. Lopez got the job done Thursday though, and he's collected one win, two saves and six holds in 22 appearances while giving the Mets some valuable middle-relief depth.