MLB Player News

Houston placed Stanek on the family medical emergency list Saturday, Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stanek will take some time away from the Astros for at least a few days while dealing with more important matters. Houston will announce a corresponding transaction before Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Nelson (elbow) was sent on a rehab assignment with the ACL Dodgers on Saturday.

Nelson was transferred to the 60-day injured list in the middle of May, and while he's now eligible to be activated off the list since he's missed the entirety of the 2023 campaign, there's no clear timetable for when the right-hander will return to the Los Angeles bullpen. He'll likely need a couple weeks of rehab appearances at least, with a chance to help the Dodgers near the end of June.

Curtiss was recalled by the Mets on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Curtiss is on his third big-league stint of the season. He's struggled to a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings of relief at the highest level this year, striking out just 13.2 percent of opposing batters, and his 6.57 ERA in 13.1 Triple-A frames hardly inspires confidence. Tommy Hunter was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Muckenhirn was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Muckenhirn was called up Friday but was knocked around by the Pirates that same night, giving up three runs on six hits across 2.1 innings of relief. Josh Walker was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Moore (oblique) has been cleared to begin a throwing program in the coming days, per MLB.com.

Moore underwent an MRI in late May and was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain. While his ability to resume throwing soon is clearly a positive development, the lefty reliever will likely need to build up on flat ground before returning to a mound. Moore was thriving prior to the injury, posting a 1.44 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB over 25 innings. He leads the team with 12 holds.

Suarez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, per MLB.com.

This is a significant step toward a return for Suarez, who has yet to pitch this season as a result of right elbow inflammation that first occurred during spring training. The right-hander is likely still weeks away from a return, and it is unclear when he may be able to begin a rehab assignment.

Brebbia will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cubs, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Brebbia will be working as an opener for the sixth time this season, but he shouldn't be expected to cover more than an inning or two before giving way to the bullpen. The Giants haven't formally appointed a pitcher to work in bulk relief behind Brebbia, but Jakob Junis -- who hasn't appeared in a game since last Sunday -- looks like an option to eat innings out of the bullpen.

Richards will start Saturday's game against the Twins, though he isn't expected to throw more than three innings, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Richards will make the start which would have previously gone to Alek Manoah, who was demoted after struggling to a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts. Richards has starting experience, with 56 of his 200 MLB appearances coming in that role, but he's likely to wind up somewhere between an opener and a true starter in Saturday's contest given that he's exclusively pitched in relief this season, only once recording more than six outs. Bowden Francis and Mitch White are available to provide length behind him. Whether the Blue Jays elect to build Richards up to a starter's workload and keep him in the rotation going forward or move him back to the bullpen following Saturday's outing remains to be seen.

Curry (3-0) allowed an unearned run on one hit over one inning to earn the win in Friday's 14-inning 10-9 win over the Astros.

The Guardians weren't quite out of bullpen options by the 14th inning, but putting Curry in was likely to eat innings if the marathon game continued. He gave up an RBI single to Kyle Tucker, but Cleveland rallied for two runs to end the contest. Curry has earned all three of his wins this season over his last four appearances despite allowing three runs (two earned) over seven innings in that span. He's at a 2.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB over 32.1 innings overall as a long-relief option.

Tapia was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Tapia had a 1.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in six innings across four appearances since getting recalled May 27, but he also had five walks and just two strikeouts over that stretch. Luis Garcia (oblique) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.