MLB Player News

Bednar (oblique) threw 21 pitches in live batting practice Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Bednar utilized all three of his pitches in Saturday's session as he faced live batters for the first time in his rehab program. It's another positive step for the 29-year-old as he works his way back from a left oblique strain. Bednar appeared in 34 games before landing on the injured list June 23, earning 16 saves with a 5.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Leiter (forearm) threw live batting practice Saturday, and manager Craig Counsell said that the right-hander will be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Cubs' upcoming road series against the Orioles, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Leiter landed on the injured list June 23 due to a right forearm strain. The 33-year-old won't require a rehab assignment, and he could available out of the Cubs' bullpen as soon as Tuesday in Baltimore. Leiter has a 5.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 28.2 innings this season.

Merryweather (ribs) threw a live batting practice Saturday, and manager Craig Counsell said the 32-year-old right-hander will be out on rehab assignment with High-A South Bend next week, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather landed on the injured list April 7 with a right shoulder strain, and he was later transferred to the 60-day IL after additional testing revealed a rib stress fracture in his right back. He's been slowly working his way through baseball activities, and he'll likely need multiple rehab outings as he looks to return to the big club after the All-Star break.

The Pirates recalled Ryan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

The move comes in response to Daulton Jefferies landing on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Ryan was sent down to Indianapolis on June 13, and in his seven outings since then he's posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 7.2 innings.

The Pirates placed Jefferies (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Jeffries had been pitching in long relief out of the Pirates' bullpen since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on June 17, posting a 6.30 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 10 innings. With Jeffries bound for the injured list, Pittsburgh recalled right-hander Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis.

The Giants optioned Bivens to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for left-hander Kyle Harrison (ankle), who is starting Saturday against the Guardians. Bivens appeared in seven games for the Giants after his contract was selected June 16, posting a 2.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 17 innings while working as a spot starter and bulk reliever out of the bullpen.

The Giants recalled Ingram from Double-A Richmond on Saturday.

Ingram was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Tuesday after the Cardinals designated the 27-year-old southpaw for assignment June 30. In the minors this season, Ingram has a 4.10 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 26.1 innings. To make room for Ingram on the 26-man active roster, the Giants optioned infielder David Villar to Triple-A Sacramento.

Walker (5-3) walked one and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win Friday over the Guardians.

The Giants led wire-to-wire in the bullpen game, and Walker was rewarded with the win from the official scorer after getting five outs over the sixth and seventh innings. The reliever has a 9.1-inning scoreless streak, during which he's posted a 14:2 K:BB. He continues to impress in a versatile role with a 1.97 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 60:9 K:BB over 45.2 innings this season, and he's added 16 holds.

The Mets activated Diaz from his 10-game suspension Saturday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Diaz was dealt an automatic 10-game suspension June 24 for the use of an illegal substance on the mound, and he'll now reclaim his usual role as New York's closer. The 30-year-old has been met with struggles this season, putting up a 4.70 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 23 innings, but his return will still provide a much-needed boost to the Mets' bullpen, which posted an 8.37 ERA while Diaz was suspended.

Kelly (shoulder) tossed one scoreless inning, during which he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one batter, in a rehab appearance with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.

Kelly had a bit of trouble finding the strike zone -- seven of his 13 pitches were balls -- and he allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base via a single and a walk. However, the veteran reliever followed with a strikeout before inducing an inning-ending double play to escape without allowing any runs. Kelly has tossed two scoreless frames through two rehab outings with the Single-A Quakes. It's not clear how many more minor-league appearances he'll be asked to make before being activated from the injured list, but there appears to be a good chance that he'll be back in Los Angeles' bullpen before the All-Star break.