MLB Player News

Manager Bud Black said Thursday that Lamet (back) will make another rehab start Friday with Triple-A Albuquerque, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Lamet is being stretched out for a possible rotation role with the Rockies as he nears the end of his recovery from a back injury. He's looked sharp in his two rehab starts so far with Albuquerque, tallying five strikeouts with no walks over six innings of one-run ball.

Manager Bud Black said Thursday that Kinley (elbow) is continuing to throw bullpen sessions without issue, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Kinley might soon be cleared to face live hitters for the first time since he required surgery last June to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. If all continues to go well, the 32-year-old could join the Rockies' bullpen sometime in July.

Taylor (1-2) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one in one inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Tigers.

Taylor gave up a tie-breaking three-run home run to Zack Short in the sixth inning, and the Royals were unable to catch up after that. Through 9.2 innings in May, Taylor has given up 12 runs (11 earned) on 14 hits and seven walks, though he has managed 12 strikeouts. The southpaw has a 7.13 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 26:8 K:BB and one blown save through 17.2 innings overall. With a low-leverage role and poor numbers, Taylor is not on the fantasy radar.

Baumann (4-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win Wednesday over the Yankees.

Baumann entered for what appeared to be a low-leverage assignment with the Orioles down four runs in the sixth inning. Baltimore rallied for eight runs in the top of the seventh and held on to put Baumann in line for the win, his second in as many appearances. The right-hander has kept runs off the board in six of his last eight outings, though a 10:7 K:BB over 8.1 innings during that span isn't inspiring. He has a 3.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 26 innings this season.

Bautista walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 12th save of the season in a 9-6 win over the Yankees.

The big right-hander fanned multiple batters for the seventh straight appearance, although he also issued a free pass for the fourth time in his last five games. Bautista's 1.44 ERA on the season is impressive, and his 47.2 percent strikeout rate is second in the majors to Cincinnati's Alexis Diaz, but his 16.0 percent walk rate has led to four blown saves and a 1.24 WHIP.

Faucher was recalled from Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher can provide some length for a bullpen that's been overworked this week. He holds a 6.43 ERA and 11:6 K:BB across 14 innings with the big club this season.

Heller was optioned to Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Heller was with the big club for just one day and didn't make an appearance. He's clearing out for Jake Diekman's return from paternity leave.

Diekman was activated from the paternity list by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diekman missed the first three games of the series against the Blue Jays but is back for the finale. Ben Heller was optioned in a corresponding move.

Finnegan struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 10th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Padres.

The right-hander's numbers on the season remain ugly, but Finnegan has been fairly reliable since a bumpy beginning to 2023. He's been scored upon in only three of his last 17 appearances, posting a 1.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 16.2 innings over that stretch while converting nine of 10 save chances.

Weathers (1-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Padres were downed 5-3 by the Nationals, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

Three errors on the night by San Diego didn't help matters, but Weathers also had trouble putting batters away, managing only eight swinging strikes among his 93 pitches. The southpaw has lost three straight starts for the Padres sandwiched around a couple relief appearances and a stint at Triple-A El Paso, posting a 4.58 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB through 19.2 big-league innings over that stretch. With Seth Lugo (calf) potentially able to return from the injured list at the beginning of June and the team having an off day Monday, it's not clear if Weathers will get another turn in the rotation.