MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Graterol (hamstring) will throw to live hitters Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

After throwing a pair of bullpen sessions, Graterol has been cleared to face live hitters Saturday. The right-hander got up to 30 pitches in a bullpen Wednesday, and doesn't seem far off from returning. It's unclear if the Dodgers plan on restarting Graterol's rehab assignment after it was paused at the beginning of August, or if he'll come straight back to the big-league bullpen when ready.

The Giants released Matzek (elbow) on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

No team was interested in claiming Matzek after the Giants placed him on waivers Wednesday, so the 33-year-old lefty will now get to choose where he plays next -- likely on a minor-league deal. He has been out since May due to elbow inflammation but is expected to be ready to pitch again at some point in September.

The Angels placed Fulmer on the 15-day injured list Friday due to right elbow inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 27.

Fulmer allowed two runs and struck out eight batters over six innings during his last start Saturday, but he appears to have come away from the outing with elbow problems. He'll be forced to sit out until at least Sept. 11, and the 30-year-old may not have a rotation spot waiting for him when he returns -- the Angels are calling up top prospects Samuel Aldegheri and Caden Dana from Double-A Rocket City to bolster their rotation.

The Angels transferred Marte (illness) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Marte was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 10 due to a viral infection, and with Friday's shift to the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible to return during the 2024 regular season. The right-hander logged a 2.33 ERA in 19.1 big-league innings this season, a huge improvement on the 8.14 ERA he generated in 24.1 innings over the prior three years. The 28-year-old should be healthy in time for spring training.

The Rockies optioned Davis to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Since coming up from Triple-A in late July, Davis has posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.90 WHIP alongside a 13:7 K:BB through 17.1 innings. He'll now head back to the minors in order to get back on track, and the Rockies will promote Seth Halvorsen from Albuquerque to fill the open bullpen spot.

Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role and pitch in lower-leverage situations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The decision to relieve Bednar of his duties as closer comes two days after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. The Pirates will now use a closer-by-committee approach, making Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks likely candidates to see increased opportunities in the ninth inning.

The Cubs claimed Armstrong off waivers Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Armstrong was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays in late July as part of the trade package for Dylan Carlson. Armstrong posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 12.2 innings with St. Louis, but he was designated for assignment Tuesday. He'll stay in the NL Central and give the Cubs much-needed bullpen depth after Julian Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right knee tendinitis.

Leasure (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Friday and is scheduled to throw another Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Leasure has been on the shelf since July 20 with a right shoulder impingement, but has completed a pair of bullpen sessions and has a third on tap. It's unclear if the White Sox plan on sending Leasure on a rehab assignment, but the 25-year-old should be expected back in the first half of September.

Erceg is dealing with soreness and swelling in his pitching hand, but the issue isn't viewed as serious, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Erceg injured his hand trying to field a comebacker Thursday against the Astros and was removed from the contest, but he's considered just day-to-day. While he's sidelined, save opportunities could open up for James McArthur, Sam Long or John Schreiber.

Lopez (groin) didn't experience any setbacks following his bullpen session Friday, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury, and his last outing came against the Marlins on Aug. 23, when he struck out two batters in one scoreless inning. The 31-year-old reliever could pitch during this weekend's series against the Nationals. In 20 games since joining the Cubs in mid-June, Lopez has recorded two saves and two holds with a 0.79 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 22.2 innings.