MLB Player News

San Diego recalled Kerr from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Reiss Knehr (elbow) has been placed on the injured list in a corresponding move following his emergency spot start Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Kerr will work out of the Padres' bullpen as a lefty specialist.

Kerr will be promoted from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With Reiss Knehr (elbow) landing on the injured list after filling in for Yu Darvish (illness) on Tuesday, Kerr will be called upon to provide much-needed depth to the Padres' bullpen. Kerr holds a 6.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP through six innings in the majors this season.

The Padres placed Knehr on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Knehr was asked to start Tuesday's game on short notice, as Yu Darvish was scratched due to illness. Knehr surrendered five runs over two innings, and he reportedly experienced elbow discomfort toward the end of his start. Ray Kerr is expected to be called up from Triple-A to replace Knehr, and Knehr will be eligible to return immediately after the All-Star break.

Milwaukee optioned Strzelecki to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Thomas Pannone has been selected from Nashville in a corresponding move. Strzelecki, 28, carries a 4.54 ERA and 37:8 K:BB in 35.2 innings of work this season at the big-league level and should get another chance soon enough.

Helsley (forearm) was cleared to begin a throwing program Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Helsley got the go-ahead after visiting with a specialist Tuesday. He has a lot of buildup ahead, beginning with flat-ground work, but the hard-throwing right-hander should be able to return to the Cardinals before the end of July if all goes well from this point forward. Jordan Hicks has taken over the closer role in St. Louis since Helsley went down June 12 with a forearm strain.

Colorado recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Hollowell will return to the Rockies' bullpen as a replacement for Nick Mears, who is headed to the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. Hollowell, 25, has allowed eight runs -- seven earned -- in nine career major-league innings dating back to his debut last September.

Rodriguez (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance for Double-A Portland on Thursday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Rodriguez will pitch on the road against New Hampshire. The left-hander has made three total rehab appearances while recovering from his left shoulder inflammation, and if things go well Thursday, there's a chance he could rejoin the Boston bullpen over the weekend.

Colorado placed Mears on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain.

Mears suffered the injury while making a relief appearance Tuesday night against the Dodgers and will be sidelined through the All-Star break. Gavin Hollowell is joining the Rockies' bullpen Wednesday in a corresponding move.

Cox is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The rookie left-hander looks like he'll get a chance to nail down a rotation spot after a brilliant start to his big-league career while working out of the bullpen. In his first 12.1 innings with the Royals, Cox has yet to allow a run while striking out 13, and he even retired 39 batters before ceding his first two hits in his most recent outing last Thursday in Tampa Bay. The Royals are unlikely to turn Cox loose for more than five innings Wednesday unless he's economical with his pitch count, so he'll still carry an element of risk as a streaming option even while facing off against a weak Cleveland lineup.

Hamilton (groin) was activated off the 15-day injured list by the Yankees on Wednesday

Hamilton missed close to six weeks while dealing with a right groin strain. The right-hander was pitching effectively prior to the injury with a 1.23 ERA and 30:9 K:BB over 22 innings in his 16 appearances. He'll be a late-inning option for the New York bullpen now that he's healthy enough to help.