MLB Player News

Nance (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance has resided on the injured list all season due to a right shoulder strain, though he was able to make a minor-league rehab appearance May 12 before being shut down following a setback. He's beginning to ramp up again and will likely need to complete a few more side sessions before eventually graduating to facing hitters in live batting practice and then restarting a rehab assignment. Nance may face an uphill battle to make it back from the IL before the end of July.

Atlanta recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

With A.J. Minter (shoulder) landing on the 15-day injured list Saturday, Rodriguez will come up from the minors to take the open spot in Atlanta's bullpen. The 31-year-old righty holds a 5.79 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 42 Triple-A innings this season, and he figures to serve as a depth piece while in the majors.

Atlanta placed Minter on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left shoulder inflammation, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Minter was pulled from his last appearance July 8 with pectoral tightness, but it now appears to be his shoulder that is bothering him. The team seems to be taking a cautious approach with the injury, so it's possible Minter will be able to return when he's first eligible July 27. Dereck Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Bender (elbow) completed a 15-pitch bullpen session earlier this week, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The side session amounts to Bender's first reported mound work since he underwent Tommy John surgery last August. The Marlins haven't officially ruled Bender out from pitching in 2023, but at this stage of his recovery program, he's most likely at least a month away from starting what would presumably be an extended minor-league rehab assignment.

Harris is expected to serve as the Athletics' primary pitcher out of the bullpen Saturday against the Twins with Austin Pruitt drawing the starting assignment.

Pruitt hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, so Oakland likely won't ask him to work more than once through the batting order before turning the game over to Harris. Though Harris had been one of Oakland's more reliable starters since joining the rotation in late May, he labored in his final three outings before the All-Star break (9.20 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings).

Criswell was recalled by the Rays to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Criswell is expected to either start the nightcap or serve as the bulk reliever. All six of Criswell's big-league appearances this season have come in relief, but all have lasted at least 2.1 innings. He owns a 5.14 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, though those numbers are inflated by a .362 BABIP.

Pruitt will serve as Oakland's opening pitcher in Saturday's game agains the Twins.

Pruitt will most likely cover anywhere from 1-to-3 innings prior to turning the game over to Hogan Harris, who had been in line to start Saturday before the Athletics made the late decision to deploy him behind an opener. Over his previous four assignments as an opener this season, Pruitt has allowed six earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out two over 6.2 innings.

Abbott will begin Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals on the mound, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Abbott will start the game with a 3-2 count against Paul Goldschmidt after Friday's game was suspended during the third inning. The 27-year-old righty holds a 4.24 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 17 innings this season and figures to pitch two or three frames Saturday.

Jackson (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the team's official site reports.

The right-hander's absence due to a flexor tendon strain is approaching two months, yet Saturday's planned activity is certainly a step in the right direction. Jackson will eventually be ticketed for a lengthy rehab assignment given how long he's been sidelined, but even that step is still likely weeks away.

Ortiz was recalled Saturday to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres.

Ortiz spent roughly a month in the majors from mid-April through mid-May and rejoined the team for four more days in mid-June. Between the two stints, he owns a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings of work, striking out 10 batters while walking three.