MLB Player News

Crochet (shoulder/lat) began throwing a plyometric ball Tuesday as the first step of his throwing program, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander is expected to work with the plyo ball for about a week before potentially progressing to a baseball. Crochet continues to work his way back from shoulder inflammation and a lat strain and isn't expected to rejoin the Red Sox until after the All-Star break.

Baltimore optioned Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Nunez was last in action on Sunday, when he pitched one scoreless inning against San Diego. On the campaign, the right-hander has posted a 4.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB through 34.1 innings. The 24-year-old will head down to Norfolk to make room for Ryan Helsley on the active roster.

The Orioles activated Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Helsley wound up being sidelined for seven weeks with right elbow inflammation. He struck out five of seven batters faced over two scoreless rehab innings with Triple-A Norfolk and should slide right back into the closer role in Baltimore. Helsley posted a 2.53 ERA and 15:7 K:BB over 10.2 frames while notching seven saves before he got injured.

Sands underwent an MRI on Friday that showed healing in his injured forearm, though inflammation was still present, MLB.com reports.

The Twins placed Sands on the 15-day injured list May 2 due to what the team described as a mild right forearm strain, resulting in the reliever being shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks. He made enough progress to begin a minor-league rehab assignment June 2, only to be returned to Minnesota after his forearm bothered him during his lone appearance with Triple-A St. Paul. While Sands appears to have avoided any sort of major setback, the Twins will once again have him pause his throwing program to allow the inflammation to dissipate. He now appears unlikely to return from the IL until at least early July.

The Marlins recalled Fulton from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The left-hander was in the majors for one day in early May and was set back to Triple-A after giving up two runs across four innings of long relief. Fulton, who has primarily been working out of the rotation for Jacksonville, will now get another look in the big leagues and is likely to work as a long reliever.

Kempner was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The right-hander fired 2.1 scoreless innings Monday against the Phillies and is being sent down Tuesday in favor of a fresh bullpen arm (Dax Fulton). Kempner has given up just three hits with a 10:2 K:BB across nine scoreless frames in the majors this season, so it should only be a matter of time before he gets another look with the big club.

Kriske (shoulder) began a throwing progression Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Kriske landed on the injured list May 13 due to a right shoulder impingement and had previously been shut down from throwing. Beginning a throwing progression is a step in the right direction, though it's just the first of many as the right-hander works his way back to full health. Having been transferred to the 60-day injured list June 2, Kriske isn't eligible to be activated until after the All-Star break.

Assad is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Wrigley Field.

After spinning 6.1 scoreless innings of long relief June 7 against the Giants in Chicago following Jameson Taillon's (hamstring) early exit, Assad ended up taking over as the Cubs' new No. 5 starter last week following Taillon's move to injured list. Assad thrived again in a matchup with a weak Giants offense -- this time in San Francisco -- striking out five batters over six shutout frames en route to picking up his fourth win of the season. The right-hander will get another favorable matchup for his upcoming turn, but Assad's standing in the rotation will be murky following Wednesday's outing. After a recent setback, Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) was able to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, and he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to replace Assad in the rotation the next time the Cubs need a fifth starter.

Lord (5-0) picked up the win against the Royals on Monday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over three innings of relief. He struck out two.

The right-hander wasn't particularly effective over 48 pitches (31 strikes), but he was the pitcher of record when the Nationals took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lord's been a versatile bullpen option this season, adding three holds and a save to his ledger over 22 appearances and 48 innings with a 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB.

Scott earned a save against the Rays on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Scott had just a one-run lead to work with when he entered in the ninth frame, but he didn't show any stress, retiring the Rays in order on 13 pitches. The southpaw is now 8-for-9 in save chances on the season after stepping in as closer for the injured Edwin Diaz (elbow) in late April. Scott blew 10 saves in 33 chances in his first regular season with the Dodgers last year, but he's been much better in 2026, as evidenced by his 2.40 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 36:3 K:BB through 30 innings spanning 32 outings.