MLB Player News

Barlow (3-3) allowed a walk in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win Tuesday over the Tigers.

Barlow was on the hook for the loss Monday, but he was better Tuesday as the Guardians evened the series at one game apiece. The right-hander's biggest problem this season has been with free passes -- he has a 5.3 BB/9 and a 1.35 WHIP. Barlow is still finding plenty of success with his slider and curveball, which collectively account for nearly 70 percent of his pitches. This is the second year in a row he's had significant struggles with his four-seam fastball, which opponents have batted .360 and slugged .520 against in 2024. With a 3.58 ERA and 17 holds, Barlow has yet to lose out on high-leverage looks, but all of Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Cade Smith have produced better results while seeing similar usage, though Barlow's 12.7 K/9 is tops on the team.

Bednar (oblique) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Altoona.

Bednar was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis, but weather concerns shifted his appearance to Altoona. Regardless, it was a positive outing and he is presumably nearing a return to the big-league mound.

The Royals recalled Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Pennington will give the Royals a fresh arm out of the bullpen for the nightcap before he likely heads back to Omaha on Thursday. The 26-year-old lefty previously made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both of the batters he faced.

Howard is listed as the Guardians' scheduled starter for Thursday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.

For what will be his Guardians debut, Howard will step into the rotation spot vacated by Logan Allen, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Prior to being acquired from the Giants last Friday, Howard had accrued a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 24 innings in seven appearances (two starts) at the big-league level.

The Marlins outrighted Andriese to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Andriese has now cleared waivers twice this season after being removed from Miami's 40-man roster. Andriese could have elected free agency, but he looks as though he'll be receptive to returning to Jacksonville.

Diaz struck out the only batter he faced Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 7-5 win over the Nationals.

The Mets took a 7-2 lead into the ninth inning, but Reed Garrett made a mess of things and forced manager Carlos Mendoza to turn to his closer with two outs and a runner on first base. Diaz actually allowed the inherited runner to score after Jacob Young took second on defensive indifference and then raced around the bases on a wild pitch, but the right-hander fanned CJ Abrams to end the game. Diaz has gone six straight appearances since returning from his suspension without having a run charged to his own ledger, collecting two wins and four saves during that stretch with a 6:1 K:BB.

Bird (groin) was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Bird has been out since late June with a groin strain, but he resumed throwing a few days ago and is now ready to test things out in a game setting. The reliever shouldn't need many rehab appearances since he hasn't missed much time, but with the All-Star break looming the Rockies could choose to hold him out until the second half.

Rogers (shoulder) was sent to the Rockies' Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Rogers has been sidelined since mid-June with a left rotator cuff strain but has been cleared to pitch in games again. He should be ready to return shortly after the All-Star break, although Rogers wouldn't seem to be a given to rejoin the big-league roster at that point.

The Cardinals are expected to recall Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to make his first major-league start in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Royals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sonny Gray is on turn for St. Louis, but the club will push him back for Friday's matchup versus the Cubs. Graceffo will serve as the 27th man for the Cardinals and will be returned to Memphis after the spot start. The right-hander pitched well in long relief in his major-league debut last month, allowing one run with a 4:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings against the Reds. Graceffo holds a 2.22 ERA and 26:10 K:BB in 28.1 frames with Memphis since the beginning of June.

Clase got the save in Tuesday's 9-8 extra-inning win over the Tigers. He pitched one inning and allowed one unearned run on two hits.

Clase allowed the phantom runner to score in the bottom of the 10th but worked around trouble to get his 28th save. The 26-year-old was named an All-Star for the third straight season thanks to his minuscule 0.83 ERA through 44 appearances. Clase is as consistent as they come in a position that can have volatility -- he's led MLB in saves each of the last two seasons and trails only Ryan Helsley in 2024.