MLB Player News

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.

Suarez (4-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the A's, giving up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning and striking out one.

For the second straight game, Suarez benefited from a Padres walk-off homer, with Wednesday's coming off the bat of Jackson Merrill. The right-hander has been tagged for a run in only one of his 26 appearances since the beginning of April, and on the season Suarez sports a sparkling 0.61 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB through 29.1 innings.

The Diamondbacks outrighted Allen to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Allen was removed from Arizona's 40-man roster earlier this week, but he has since cleared waivers and will remain in the organization as pitching depth. The lefty has been used in long relief during his time with the Diamondbacks this season.

Helsley allowed one hit and struck out one batter over a scoreless inning to earn a save against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Helsley had a rough outing Tuesday against Pittsburgh, giving up two runs over one frame to take the loss. He was right back on the mound the next day and bounced back nicely, working around a leadoff single to finish off the victory. Helsley has converted 22 straight save chances since blowing a save in his first opportunity of the campaign, and the 22 saves overall leads all major-league pitchers.