MLB Player News

Kelly (forearm) will throw another bullpen session or a simulated game Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It will come after Kelly got through a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue. He will need a rehab assignment before returning from his right forearm inflammation, but it shouldn't be too much longer if he continues to progress.

Spiers will start for the Reds on Sunday against the Cubs in what will be his major-league debut, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds' pitching staff has been hit hard by COVID-19, so Spiers will be pressed into a starting role just two days after receiving his first MLB call-up. Though he held a 3.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a 106:41 K:BB over 83 innings this season at Double-A Chattanooga, Spiers isn't a recommended streaming option Sunday.

The Reds added Phillips to the active roster Saturday to replace Brandon Williamson (illness).

With Williamson landing on the COVID-19 IL on Saturday, Phillips will come up from the minors for his first stint in the big leagues. The Reds also placed Graham Ashcraft (toe) on the 15-day injured list Saturday, allowing Phillips to fill the open starting rotation spot Wednesday against Seattle.

The Mets optioned Reyes to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reyes had a good showing during his spot start Wednesday, but he'll head back to Triple-A as the Mets opt to boost their bullpen by calling up Grant Hartwig. Reyes holds a 6.23 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 17 innings in the majors and would likely only return to the big-league club for depth purposes.

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

Hartwig has allowed four runs in three innings with Syracuse since being optioned Aug. 18. Nonetheless, he'll come up from the minors to give the Mets a fresh bullpen arm, replacing Denyi Reyes.

Burdi (abdomen) resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi's rehab assignment was paused last week due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm, but he's now ready to rejoin Iowa and is expected to pitch in a game Sunday. He'll likely make a couple of appearances in Triple-A before returning to Chicago.

Hughes (knee) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes has been on the injured list since June while recovering from a procedure on his left knee. He began throwing off a mound Aug. 15 and started facing hitters again Monday, and he's now set for the final stage of his recovery process. Hughes will likely need to make multiple appearances in the minors before returning to Chicago's bullpen.

The Cardinals transferred Zuniga (forearm) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

A right forearm strain forced Zuniga onto the IL on Sunday, so his move to the 60-day IL will officially put an end to his season. The 24-year-old righty gave up one run in two innings with the Cardinals, and he logged a 7.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP through 30.2 frames in Triple-A this season. Mike Siani was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati to fill Zuniga's 40-man roster spot.

The Brewers optioned Bukauskas to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

In order to make room for Colin Rea on the active roster, Bukauskas will end up being pushed back to the minors Saturday. The 26-year-old reliever holds a 4.38 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 37 innings in Triple-A this season and hasn't appeared in a major-league game since July 4.

The Marlins sent Lopez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Johnny Cueto (illness) returning from the injured list Saturday, Lopez will head back to the minors to free up a spot on the roster. The 30-year-old reliever is out of minor-league options and will have to pass through waivers before he can reach Jacksonville. He's allowed 12 runs in 11.2 innings since joining the Marlins in July.