MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Brown is still experiencing lingering discomfort in his neck, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown has been shelved since mid-June with a neck strain and doesn't appear to have made much progress. He had been cleared to resume throwing in late June, but it's uncertain where he currently stands in his throwing program.

Alzolay (forearm) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Alzolay appears to have responded well to what was his first time throwing off a mound since he was shelved with a flexor strain in mid-May. Before coming off the 60-day injured list, Alzolay will need to make multiple rehab appearances in the minors, and it's unclear when he might be ready to begin an assignment.

The Mets recalled Young from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Young has posted a 5.11 ERA and 16:6 K:BB over 12.1 frames this season at the big-league level. He will give manager Carlos Mendoza a second lefty in the bullpen to pair with Jake Diekman.

The Mets placed Garrett on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right elbow inflammation, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Garrett allowed three runs and retired just two batters in an appearance Tuesday versus the Nationals, which was his third outing in four days. He complained of forearm tightness after the appearance and will be sent for an MRI. Garrett will be eligible to return from the IL on July 25.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that O'Brien (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session at Double-A Springfield on Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien will throw approximately 20-to-25 pitches Wednesday, and if all goes well, he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Springfield this weekend. The 29-year-old righty has been on the injured list since late March with a right forearm strain. He's expected to fill a low-leverage role out of the St. Louis bullpen once he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Miller (3-2) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the win Tuesday over the Blue Jays.

Miller worked the ninth inning with the Giants down by a run, and they were able to score twice in their half of the frame for the walk-off win. The southpaw's ability to pick up wins has been limited lately, as he saw steady usage as an opening pitcher when San Francisco's rotation was hammered by injuries in June. To his credit, he hasn't taken a loss since May 21, and he's yet to be on the hook for a loss in any of his nine starting assignments. Miller is on an eight-inning scoreless streak that has trimmed his ERA to 3.43 with a 1.19 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB through 42 innings this season. He's added 11 holds and three blown saves.

Bednar (oblique) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Altoona.

Bednar was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis, but weather concerns shifted his appearance to Altoona. Regardless, it was a positive outing and he is presumably nearing a return to the big-league mound.

The Marlins outrighted Andriese to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Andriese has now cleared waivers twice this season after being removed from Miami's 40-man roster. Andriese could have elected free agency, but he looks as though he'll be receptive to returning to Jacksonville.

Diaz struck out the only batter he faced Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Nationals.

The Mets took a 7-2 lead into the ninth inning, but Reed Garrett made a mess of things and forced manager Carlos Mendoza to turn to his closer with two outs and a runner on first base. Diaz actually allowed the inherited runner to score after Jacob Young took second on defensive indifference and then raced around the bases on a wild pitch, but the right-hander fanned CJ Abrams to end the game. Diaz has gone six straight appearances since returning from his suspension without having a run charged to his own ledger, collecting two wins and four saves during that stretch with a 6:1 K:BB.

Bird (groin) was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Bird has been out since late June with a groin strain, but he resumed throwing a few days ago and is now ready to test things out in a game setting. The reliever shouldn't need many rehab appearances since he hasn't missed much time, but with the All-Star break looming the Rockies could choose to hold him out until the second half.