MLB Player News

Grove (intercostal) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The right-hander has been out since June 16 while nursing a right intercostal strain. He'll likely make a few appearances with Oklahoma City before potentially returning from the 15-day injured list and rejoining the Dodgers bullpen as soon as later this week.

Graterol (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Oklahoma City and is expected to pitch in Sunday's contest against Round Rock.

Graterol has missed the entirety of the 2024 season to this point while nursing right shoulder inflammation, but he's now just one step away from returning to the major-league roster. The 25-year-old will likely make multiple appearances with Oklahoma City, and if all goes well, he could return to the Dodgers bullpen before the end of July.

Scott struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

Scott extended his scoreless streak to 14 straight appearances as he mowed down the Mets in another stellar performance. The 2024 All-Star has not allowed a run since June 13 and is looking like one of the more attractive ninth-inning options available at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old has a 1.27 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 48 strikeouts over 42.2 innings this season.

Suarez earned a save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Guardians, striking out one and not allowing a hit or a walk in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Suarez came in with a runner on and two out in the eighth to face Bo Naylor and got him to pop out. He came back out for the ninth and pitched a perfect frame to register his 23rd save of the season. The 32-year-old continues to be one of the most dominant closers in baseball this year, as he's now tied for the fourth-most saves and carries a 1.62 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 39 innings.

Roycroft (1-2) allowed an unearned run on one walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Roycroft has yielded five runs (four earned) over his last four appearances. He gave up a walk-off sacrifice fly to get stuck with a 3-2 loss in the 10th inning of Saturday's day game. The right-hander continues to see mostly low-leverage work for the Cardinals, pitching to a 3.52 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB over 23 innings.

The Cardinals optioned Leahy to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Leahy served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Atlanta and was called upon out of the bullpen in the second game. He delivered two scoreless innings to finish out the Cardinals' 9-5 win, notching his first MLB save in the process. Though he'll head back to Triple-A, Leahy should rank near the top of the list for a call-up the next time the Cardinals are in need of an extra relief arm.

The Brewers designated Kuhnel for assignment Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Though Kuhnel has a minor-league option remaining, the Brewers opted to move him off their 40-man roster to open up a spot in the bullpen for lefty Jared Koenig (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Kuhnel has now been DFA'd by the Brewers on two occasions since he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in June. He didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen after being called up from Triple-A Nashville last Sunday.

The Brewers reinstated Koenig (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Reliever Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment to make room in the bullpen and on the 26-man roster for Koenig, who landed on the IL on June 29 with left elbow tendinitis. The 30-year-old southpaw had been a dependable relief arm for Milwaukee prior to being deactivated, turning in a 1.66 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB over 38 innings.

Vodnik picked up the save over the Giants on Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Vodnik was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, and the right-hander did not disappoint, going 1-2-3 through the middle of San Francisco's lineup to secure his third save of the campaign. Vodnik has now converted each of his three save opportunities this month after blowing two save chances in the latter part of June. He's also posted at least one strikeout in 12 straight appearances.

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

Smyly continues to pitch well for the Cubs in a long-relief role, as he's allowed just one run this month in six appearances. Overall, the veteran lefty has lowered his ERA to 2.92, which would be the second-lowest mark of his 11-year MLB career. Chicago seems content to keep Smyly in the bullpen, though fifth starter Kyle Hendricks has a 6.69 ERA and could get bumped from the rotation if the team decides to mix things up at some point.