MLB Player News

The Mets activated Coonrod (lat) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Coonrod is finally ready to make his Mets debut, five months after being diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain. The righty reliever posted a 4.82 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 9.1 minor-league rehab innings (10 appearances) between Single-A St. Lucie and Triple-A Syracuse.

Kelly (elbow) could face hitters next week, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

This is the first update on Kelly's status since he underwent an elbow procedure in early May, but he has apparently made good progress in his recovery and is on the verge of reaching a key step in the process.

Thompson will join the Cardinals' rotation after Steven Matz landed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left lat strain, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Matz could be in danger of missing the remainder of the 2023 season, so this will be a big opportunity for Thompson as the out-of-contention Cardinals look ahead to 2024 and beyond. The 25-year-old southpaw struck out eight batters over four innings of one-run ball in a spot start Aug. 6 against the Rockies and carries an overall 3.96 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 25 innings (17 appearances) this season for St. Louis.

The Rays selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lopez will join the bullpen, likely in a multi-inning role, after registering a sharp 2.67 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 110:41 K:BB through 84.1 frames (19 starts, two relief appearances) this season between Triple-A and Double-A Montgomery. The 25-year-old left-hander was a 26th-round pick of the Giants in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.

Brentz (elbow) is expected tobegin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Kansas City's rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Brentz has been out of action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2022, but he has made good progress in his recovery and is nearly ready for the final phase of his rehab program. If all continues going as planned, chances are he will return from the 60-day injured list and get a look out of the big-league bullpen before the 2023 campaign comes to a close.

Tarnok (undisclosed) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Tarnok appeared set to make another start for Oakland, but he will instead spend at least a couple weeks on the injured list. It's unclear what is ailing him, so a precise target date for his return is uncertain.

Thornton (0-1) took the extra-inning loss against the Orioles on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits over one inning. He struck out one.

Thornton's outing was actually better than his final line would indicate, as his one major mistake was a four-seam fastball that Cedric Mullins deposited in the right-field bleachers with Gunnar Henderson aboard for what would prove to be the game-winning homer. Thornton owned a solid 2.53 ERA and 9.3 K/9 across 10.2 innings between his time with the Blue Jays and Mariners coming into Sunday, so he's largely been a trustworthy bullpen option. It's worth noting his appearance in such a high-leverage spot was atypical and the byproduct of Justin Topa, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz all having already worked an inning apiece earlier in the game.

Holmes (4-3) took the loss against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.

Holmes had been on a post-All-Star-break tear coming into Sunday, collecting eight saves in nine chances and allowing just two runs while posting an 18:3 K:BB over 15.2 frames. Yankees manager Aaron Boone thus turned to him in the ninth inning while holding a four-run lead, but things didn't go as planned. Holmes allowed a single, double, triple and walk in the frame and also contributed to his own demise with a throwing error. Luis Arraez's two-run three-bagger tied the score and resulted in Holmes getting the hook, and the righty hurler took the loss when Arraez crossed the plate after his departure. Holmes should still have a firm grasp on the closer role considering his recent run of success, but Sunday's blowup increased his season ERA from 2.01 to 2.80.

Snead (1-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing an unearned run on a hit and a walk without recording an out.

Snead was called on to put out the fire after Trevor May was bounced around for five runs (three earned) over two-thirds of an inning, but the left-handed Snead wasn't up to the task, either. He issued a bases-loaded walk to the first batter he faced, Dominic Smith, and then saw the final three runs cross the plate courtesy of a fielding error by Nick Allen and a Jeter Downs game-winning RBI single. Snead hadn't allowed a run in the previous 3.1 innings covering his last four appearances, and despite the stumble Sunday, he still carries a solid 3.38 ERA over his first seven outings.

Varland will be selected to the Dodgers' major-league roster Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Varland was plucked away by the Brewers in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, but they designated him for assignment in May and he has pitched to a 2.16 ERA and 39:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City since being returned to the Dodgers' system. The 26-year-old right-hander figures to fill a middle relief role for Los Angeles.