MLB Player News

Cruz will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Twins, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Cruz last served as an opener Aug. 26 against Arizona, allowing one unearned run on one hit while fanning four across 1.1 innings. He's set to work an inning or two Tuesday before turning the game over to a bulk reliever, with Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer relaying that Ben Lively is the most likely candidate to enter the game after Cruz's departure.

Justice was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Justice was summoned from the bullpen both Saturday and Sunday and likely would have been unavailable for a day or two, so the Rockies decided to send him to the minors to open up a roster spot for fellow reliever Daniel Bard, who was activated from the injured list in the corresponding move.

Bard (forearm) was activated from the injured list Monday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bard landed on the injured list earlier this month, but he will rejoin Colorado's bullpen just a couple days after he was first eligible to do so. He was tagged for 13 runs -- eight earned -- in 4.0 innings over his last five appearances with the Rockies, so it seems unlikely he will join the late-inning mix, even with fellow reliever Justin Lawrence tending to an ankle injury.

The Brewers placed Vieira on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right calf strain.

The injury will spell an end to Vieira's season, though unless he's dealing with a Grade 2 or 3 strain that necessitates surgery and/or an extended recovery, the hard-throwing right-hander should be in store for a normal offseason. Vieira received a call-up from Triple-A Nashville earlier this month and saw his first MLB action since the 2019 season. In two appearances out of Milwaukee's bullpen, Vieira struck out two batters over three no-hit scoreless innings.

The Mets announced Monday that Diaz (knee) won't be activated from the 60-day injured list this season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

A return for the final week of the regular season or the postseason might have been in play for Diaz if the Mets were in playoff contention, but the veteran closer won't be rushed back into action in light of the team's place in the standings. Since undergoing surgery in March to repair a torn patellar tendon suffered during the World Baseball Classic, Diaz has seemingly navigated the rehab process free of setbacks. He'll continue to throw bullpen sessions through the end of September and should be in store for a relatively normal offseason before he likely enters spring training without any restrictions. Diaz's continued absence should insulate Adam Ottavino as the Mets' top option for saves the rest of the way.

The Cardinals placed Gallegos on the 15-day injured list Monday with right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis.

St. Louis recalled right-hander Jake Woodford from Triple-A Memphis to serve as a replacement on the 28-man active roster for Gallegos, whose season comes to an end as a result of the injury. Unless follow-up tests on Gallegos' shoulder that reveal structural damage, he should be in store for a relatively normal offseason and head into spring training at full health. Gallegos concludes the 2023 campaign with two wins, 10 saves, 20 holds and a 4.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 59:12 K:BB across 55 innings out of the St. Louis bullpen.

King (1-0) allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning to earn the win Sunday over the Phillies.

King also took a blown save after allowing the Phillies to tie the game in the eighth inning, but the Cardinals quickly retook the lead in their half of the frame. Over 16 appearances with St. Louis, King has posted a 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 8:4 K:BB and seven holds across 15 innings. He's at a 4.01 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings overall when accounting for his time with the Rangers. While he's seen some high-leverage work with the Cardinals, he's unlikely to be in the mix to close games with both Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos healthy.

Young (illness) was activated from the COVID-19-related injured list Monday.

Young was initially shelved in late August with a hamstring injury before being shifted to the COVID-19-related IL on Sept. 9. The southpaw has pitched well for the Reds this season when healthy, posting a 3.31 ERA and 45:19 K:BB through 49 innings.

Atlanta selected Luetge's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Atlanta is in need of a fresh bullpen arm after their pitching staff was bludgeoned for 36 runs over the weekend in Miami in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Marlins. Luetge holds an 8.49 ERA over 11 relief appearances in the big leagues this season.

Anderson (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Anderson, who has been on the injured list since mid-July with a strained right shoulder, will likely make two or three appearances with Gwinnett before its season comes to an end Sunday. After that, Atlanta will have to decide whether or not to make room on the 28-man active roster for Anderson during the final week of the season, in what could serve as an audition for a spot on the big club's postseason roster. Anderson gathered four wins, one save and 15 holds while pitching to a 3.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB in 35.1 innings before landing on the shelf.