MLB Player News

Helsley (forearm) will resume his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

This is a quick turnaround, as Helsley was just pulled off his rehab assignment Wednesday due to renewed discomfort in the forearm he strained back in mid-June. Multiple rounds of imaging scans taken this week showed no structural damage, and he might again be on track to reclaim the closer role in St. Louis before the end of August.

Kelly will be placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with back spasms, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Kelly has made three straight scoreless appearances in a multi-inning relief role for the Guardians, but he'll be sidelined until at least the end of August. James Karinchak is expected to be brought up from Triple-A Columbus to fill the bullpen vacancy in Cleveland.

Karinchak is expected to be recalled Friday from Triple-A Columbus, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Karinchak has struggled to a 5.12 ERA in 19.1 innings at the Triple-A level since the Guardians demoted him in early June, but he's needed as a replacement for Michael Kelly (back), who will head to the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Curry will not start Thursday against the Tigers after the game was postponed due to rain.

There are storms passing through Cleveland, so Thursday's game has been moved into a traditional doubleheader Friday at Progressive Field. Curry is lined up to start the second half of the twin bill, with Gavin Williams handling the early tilt.

Norris was designated for assignment Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Norris had a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP since being called up July 24. Tim Herrin was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Herrin was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Herrin has been in Triple-A since he gave up three runs in his last major-league appearance July 23. He has a 5.55 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 24.1 innings this year for the big club.

Kittredge (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge has finally completed the long road back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in June of 2022. The right-handed reliever's numbers during his rehab assignment weren't great, as he held a 5.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with a 9:3 K:BB over 13.1 innings. That means he'll likely be eased back into high-leverage spots, although his track record suggests he's certainly capable of being a big asset for the Rays' bullpen eventually if he can knock off the rust and regain his pre-surgery form.

Avila has made his last two appearances for the Padres on Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 as a long reliever, working 9.1 innings between the two outings while striking out nine and giving up one earned run on eight hits and one walk.

Though he was moved to the bullpen after making a spot start Aug. 1 in Colorado, Avila has essentially been piggybacking Rich Hill in both of the veteran southpaw's last two turns through the rotation. The Padres likely didn't plan for the two to work in tandem on either occasion, as Hill failed to escape the fourth inning in both outings while giving up nine earned runs in total. Hill is slated to start Thursday's game in Arizona, and Avila could be called upon to cover multiple innings once more if Hill again struggles early in the contest.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said July 21 that Knehr (elbow) would require season-ending Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.

Knehr has presumably had the procedure at some point over the ensuing four weeks and will now miss the rest of the 2023 season, and likely, the majority of the 2024 campaign. Before landing on the shelf in late June with the elbow injury, Knehr gave up 10 earned runs on 10 hits and five walks over 5.2 innings across four appearances with the Friars.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Hill (finger) isn't progressing as quickly as hoped and has yet to resume throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Since landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 2 with a sprained left ring finger, Hill has been limited to playing catch with tape on his injured digit. Melvin suggested that Hill will soon be able to remove the tape from his finger and start throwing off a mound, but the southpaw is still probably a week or more away from returning from the IL.