MLB Player News

Howard is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Erik Miller in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants will go back to the well with Howard as their de facto No. 5 starter for another turn through the rotation while the team awaits Keaton Winn's (forearm) return from the injured list. After being called up from Triple-A Sacramento last Tuesday, Howard worked behind Miller and struck out four over four scoreless innings while taking a no-decision against the Phillies. Though he was effective in his Giants debut, Howard was less impressive in a larger body of work at Sacramento prior to his promotion (5.90 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 57:17 K:BB in 39.2 innings). Winn could be tracking toward a return from the IL later this week, but with Blake Snell (groin) at risk of landing on the IL after exiting his last start, the Giants might still have a rotation spot available for Howard beyond Monday.

Miller will be the Giants' opening pitcher in Monday's game in Arizona, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's the fourth such assignment for Miller, who has yielded one run with a 6:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings covering his first three appearances as an opener this season. Spencer Howard is expected to follow Miller in bulk relief.

The Orioles designated Vieira for assignment Monday.

Vieira's stint in Baltimore was brief and unproductive, as he walked four, allowed three runs and didn't record an out in his lone appearance for the Orioles. It's the second time since late May that Vieira has been designated for assignment, as the move had been made previously by the Brewers before they traded him to Baltimore.

The Orioles recalled Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Baltimore is swapping in Vespi in its bullpen for right-hander Thyago Vieira, who was designated for assignment. The left-handed Vespi has contributed one scoreless appearance during his brief time in the majors in 2024.

Single-A Fayetteville reinstated Santa (undisclosed) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Santa made his season debut for Fayetteville on Wednesday, striking out three over two perfect innings. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out 119 batters over 87.1 innings at the Single-A level in 2023, but a bloated 17.9 percent walk rate limited his overall effectiveness.

The Cubs reinstated Palencia (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Palencia will stick around with Iowa after he made six rehab appearances with the affiliate while he was on the shelf with a right shoulder strain. Though Palencia struck out eight over 4.2 scoreless innings across the last four appearances, the Cubs didn't have room for the right-hander in the bullpen. Palencia should rank high on the list for a call-up the next time the Cubs require an extra relief arm.

Ottavino struck out two in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record his 10th hold of the season in a loss to the Diamondbacks.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza deployed Reed Garrett in the seventh inning and Ottavino in the eighth to protect a 4-3 lead to great effect, but Jake Diekman then blew the save in the ninth. The pecking order for saves in the absence of Edwin Diaz (shoulder) remains murky, but all three pitchers could see chances depending on the matchups. Ottavino hasn't made much of a case to claim the full-time closer gig -- since the beginning of May, he's stumbled to an 8.49 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB through 11.2 innings.

Garrett struck out the side in a perfect seventh inning Sunday to record his sixth hold of the season in a loss to the Diamondbacks.

With the Mets holding a 4-3 lead, the right-hander was called in to the face the heart of Arizona's order and fanned Lourdes Gurriel, Christian Walker and Jake McCarthy on 11 pitches (nine strikes). Garrett has had some stumbles of late, getting tagged for earned runs in four of his last nine appearances with a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over that stretch, but he's still part of the high-leverage mix and a candidate for saves in the absence of Edwin Diaz (shoulder).

Green walked two and struck out two in a scoreless sixth inning Sunday to record his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Pirates.

The right-hander had trouble finding the plate, tossing only 15 of 27 pitches for strikes, but Green was able to escape the jam he created while protecting a 4-3 lead. With Jordan Romano (elbow) back on the IL, it looks like Yimi Garcia will get the first chance to fill the closer role, with Green remaining part of the setup crew.

Vespi will travel with the Orioles to Toronto for their upcoming series against the Blue Jays and could be formally recalled from Triple-A Norfolk as soon as Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Vespi hasn't officially been promoted yet, but the move appears to be imminent. The left-handed reliever has made one appearance with the Orioles this season, tossing a scoreless frame in St. Louis on May 22.