MLB Player News

Soriano will take the ball to start Saturday's game against the Rangers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soriano has been excellent in 11 appearances out of the Miami bullpen this season, posting a 1.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 27.1 innings, and he will be rewarded with his first career start in the big leagues. The 24-year-old has thrown as many as four innings in an appearance this season and will be well rested, but it's a stretch to think he could pitch deep enough into Saturday's game to qualify for a win.

Clase issued one walk in a scoreless inning Friday, striking out one and earning a save over the White Sox.

Clase worked around a two-out walk to finish off the 4-2 win for his 29th save of the year. He's turned in nine straight shutout frames, lowering his season ERA to 2.90 through 49.2 innings. Clase has converted five saves during that span after blowing two straight prior to the start of the scoreless streak.

Diaz (3-3) took the loss Friday against the Nationals. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out three without a walk over 1.2 innings.

After retiring the side in order in the ninth to preserve the tie, Diaz returned for the 10th but couldn't get through the extra frame as Lane Thomas smacked a two-run homer on the right-hander's 32nd pitch of the night. Reds manager David Bell asked a lot of his closer in this one and he fell a little short, but if anyone deserves a mulligan, it's Diaz. He still has just one blown save on the year compared to 32 successful save conversions.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Acquired from the Dodgers at the end of June, Jackson will now get his first opportunity with the Pirates, replacing Dauri Moreta (back) in the Pittsburgh bullpen. Jackson has pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in five appearances with Indianapolis to date -- a significant improvement on the 5.86 and 1.54 marks he had with Oklahoma City prior to the trade.

Taylor was released by the Astros on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Taylor's had trouble getting outs at Triple-A Sugar Land this season (5.15 ERA, 1.82 WHIP) and the team decided earlier this week to remove him from the 40-man roster. The southpaw made 51 appearances for the Astros in 2021, and he's held lefties to a .159/.260/.258 line in the majors, so he should land on his feet in another organization despite his struggles this year.

The Pirates placed Moreta on the 15-day injured list Friday with lower-back soreness, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

After giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over one inning Thursday against Milwaukee, Moreta will be sidelined for at least two weeks. The 27-year-old righty holds a 4.10 ERA and 1.20 WHIP on the season and figures to return in late August.

Helsely (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Helsley has been on the injured list since mid-June with a right forearm strain and is now set to complete the final steps in his recovery. The 29-year-old reliever will likely make a few appearances in Double-A before moving to Triple-A Memphis, but the Cardinals are confident Helsley will be able to return when first eligible Aug. 10. Once he's back, the right-hander will likely take over as St. Louis' primary closer, though Giovanny Gallegos may offer some competition for saves.

Assad will start Saturday against Atlanta, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad has just one start in the majors this season but has done well in his role as a multi-inning reliever by putting up a 3.24 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 50 innings. The 26-year-old righty threw 3.2 innings and 62 pitches in his last appearance July 31, so he may not face much of a workload restriction.

Curry will start Sunday's game against the White Sox and remain in the Guardians' rotation going forward, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

He will start getting stretched out to remain in the rotation indefinitely, but Curry may not be ready Sunday to go deep enough to qualify for the win. He has not logged more than three innings in any of his last 10 appearances and has a 2.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 22 innings over that stretch.

Clarke was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation.

Clarke escaped trouble to pitch a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Mets, although he did allow a hit while walking two batters. He has a 5.23 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 10 strikeouts over his last 10 appearances. James McArthur was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.