MLB Player News

Strahm (knee) threw live batting practice Wednesday and is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, putting him on track to be activated from the injured list when eligible Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Strahm landed on the injured list May 16 but appears to be recovering well after receiving an injection May 21 to address inflammation in his right knee. Manager Matt Quatraro said the southpaw looked great during a live batting practice session Wednesday, so barring any setbacks during his upcoming bullpen session, Strahm appears likely to be activated from the injured list when first eligible Sunday. Prior to being shelved, he posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

Webb (1-1) earned the win after striking out all three batters he faced in a 10-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Webb entered the game in the sixth inning with the game knotted 4-4 and struck out the side to keep the game tied before the Cubs scored six unanswered runs. The 32-year-old has been near perfect in his last seven appearances, recording 7.1 scoreless frames with 12 strikeouts. Through 24 appearances this season, Webb has a 2.66 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB over 23.2 innings.

Estevez (shoulder) began playing catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

While on a rehab assignment for a left foot contusion, Estevez was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain May 6 and subsequently shut down from throwing. The right-hander met with team doctors Tuesday for a re-evaluation and seemingly received positive news, as he has now resumed throwing. The development marks a step in the right direction, though Kansas City will likely proceed cautiously with the veteran's buildup, and he'll almost certainly require another rehab assignment, leaving his timetable for a return unclear. With Estevez sidelined, Lucas Erceg has stepped in as the Royals' closer and posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB while converting 11 of 15 save opportunities across 21.1 innings.

Weaver picked up his seventh hold Wednesday after pitching 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a 4-2 win over Cincinnati.

The 32-year-old entered with two outs in the seventh inning and the Mets holding a 3-2 lead, and he carried that one-run advantage into the ninth inning for closer Devin Williams. Weaver has been lights out over his last 15 appearances, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 20 batters over 17 innings. Weaver continues to operate as New York's primary setup man, and he isn't likely to see anything more than the occasional save chance since Williams has righted the ship after a rocky start to the year.

Agnos surrendered seven earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings of relief Tuesday in the Rockies' 15-6 loss to the Dodgers.

Fresh off tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one walk in his first MLB start May 21 in Arizona, Agnos shifted back to the bullpen this week, with the Rockies having Tanner Gordon replace him as their fifth starter. Despite being called upon in a low-pressure spot in the top of the fifth inning with the Rockies trailing by seven runs, Agnos did little to stop the bleeding. The gem of an outing against the Diamondbacks looks to be an extreme outlier performance for the 25-year-old righty, who now owns a 6.42 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 45 career appearances in the big leagues.

Romero was charged with a blown save after allowing a hit and striking out one over one inning during a 2-1 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday. He allowed two inherited runners to score.

Starter Dustin May fired seven no-hit frames before giving up two hits to open the eighth, and Romero was called upon to escape the jam. The left-hander nearly did so unscathed, inducing a fielder's choice grounder and recording strikeout before a single and an error brought home two runs for Milwaukee. Despite the blown save, Romero has been cruising through his last 10 appearances, tallying six holds and allowing just one earned run while striking out 12 through 10.2 innings.

Jansen is awaiting results of an MRI on his right groin, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Jansen had to exit an appearance Wednesday against the Angels after his groin tightened up on him. Any sort of strain will likely lead to a stint on the injured list, but more on Jansen's status will be available soon. If Jansen is forced to miss time, the Tigers could turn to Will Vest and/or Kyle Finnegan to fill their closer role.

Ashby (9-0) picked up the win after giving up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts over two scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Ashby entered the game in the top of the seventh, preventing Milwaukee's 1-0 deficit from expanding while striking out two batters. The 28-year-old went on to pitch another scoreless frame in the eighth before the Brewers tacked on two runs to put him in line for the victory. The left-hander leads the major leagues in wins this season and also leads Brewers relievers in strikeouts (49).

Rojas is slated to start Thursday's game against the White Sox at Rate Field, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The Twins had previously been listing Taj Bradley as their starter for Thursday, but he'll instead be pushed back to Friday in Pittsburgh while the team temporarily expands its rotation to six men in order to make room for Rojas. Since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on May 10, Rojas has made four appearances (three starts) and has logged a 1.46 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB across 12.1 innings. Rojas hasn't tossed more than four frames or 60 pitches in any of his appearances with Minnesota this season, so he could struggle to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win. The Twins have Simeon Woods Richardson available out of the bullpen as a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings once Rojas exits the game.

The Angels optioned Saucedo to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Saucedo made three scoreless appearances during his most recent stint in the big leagues. With Drew Pomeranz (elbow) back from the injured list, Saucedo will head back to Salt Lake.