MLB Player News

Almonte (elbow) completed his third minor-league rehab outing Sunday and is expected to return to the Dodgers on Wednesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Almonte gave up two runs over two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Oklahoma on Sunday, though both scored after he exited the contest. The right-hander looked fine despite the unpleasant stat line, throwing 10 of 16 pitches for strikes and getting unlucky on one of the hits (a bloop single). Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has indicated that Almonte will be activated Wednesday as long as he doesn't encounter any physical setbacks, and the veteran reliever should return to a prominent place in the team's bullpen after posting a 1.15 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB while notching seven holds and a save over his first 29 outings.

Akin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

After giving up three earned runs over just a third of an inning Sunday, Akin will spend some time in the minors. He was in the middle of a career year -- recording a 3.40 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 76.2 innings -- but he will be sent to Triple-A nonetheless. Logan Gillaspie will be promoted to replace Akin in the Orioles' bullpen.

Gillaspie was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Gillaspie's last major league stint came in mid-August when he threw 1.2 scoreless innings over two appearances. This season, he's been much more effective in Baltimore -- where he has a 0.00 ERA over 6.1 innings -- compared to on the road (11.25 ERA). Keegan Akin was optioned down to Norfolk in order to make room for Gillaspie.

Miller will be called up from Triple-A Round Rock prior to Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Miller has thrown three innings in the majors this season, allowing six runs in the process. Since he was most recently working as a member of Round Rock's rotation and covered five innings in his last outing Sept. 18, he could end up serving as a bulk reliever behind Jesus Tinoco, who is scheduled to serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game.

Nance (groin) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Nance is eligible to return from the injured list late this week, and the start of his rehab assignment signals that he'll likely be in the mix to rejoin the Marlins' bullpen prior to the end of the regular season. Since the right-hander usually has short appearances out of the bullpen, it seems likely that he'll be cleared to return following a brief rehab stint.

Ponce de Leon, who signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sept. 9, has produced a 1.69 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while striking out 15 in 16 innings across his first three starts with Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers are the fourth organization that Ponce de Leon has been a part of in 2022 after prior stints with the Angels, Mariners and Nationals. Though he made at least two starts in the big leagues in each of the past four seasons, the 30-year-old has yet to surface in the majors in 2022 after turning in a collective 6.52 ERA in 116 innings at Triple-A. His strong finish to the campaign at Toledo could be enough to convince the Tigers to keep Ponce de Leon in the fold for 2023, though the veteran right-hander could choose to elect free agency this winter.

Hudson tossed three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Dodgers. He didn't strike out a batter and allowed two hits and one walk in the 45-pitch appearance.

When Hudson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, manager Oliver Marmol hinted the right-hander could rejoin the rotation, according to John Denton of MLB.com. The Cardinals ultimately chose to keep a five-man rotation intact, but Hudson was still called upon to provide some length out of the bullpen after starter Jordan Montgomery lasted just four innings in Saturday's outing. With two off days during the upcoming week, Hudson will likely remain in the bullpen, but he could make a spot start at some point in the final few days of the regular season if the Cardinals want to give Jack Flaherty or Adam Wainwright a more extended break in advance of the playoffs.

Pilkington struck out four over 3.1 innings and allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks in his most recent start Friday for Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians returned Pilkington to Triple-A on Sept. 18, one day after he was called up as Cleveland's 29th man for a doubleheader with the Twins. He covered 5.2 scoreless innings in the spot start with Cleveland -- his 11th overall of the season -- and struck out six while allowing one hit and two walks. With Aaron Civale recently returning from the injured list and Zach Plesac (hand) set to return during the upcoming week, Pilkington likely won't get the call back to Cleveland before the end of the season unless the Guardians lose another starting pitcher.

Lovelady (elbow) was reinstated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 60-day injured list Sept. 18 and struck out two over a scoreless inning in his 2022 debut for the affiliate.

Lovelady made a remarkably quick recovery from the Tommy John surgery he required last September, making his return to game action exactly 12 months later. After the strong showing at Northwest Arkansas, Lovelady was bumped up to Triple-A Omaha last week. He struck out four over two scoreless innings between his first two appearances at Omaha.

Swanson (2-2) took the loss against the Royals on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits over one-third of an inning.

Swanson was also charged with his second blown save of the season in what was his second straight loss, blowing an 11-8 lead by allowing a pair of RBI singles and a two-run double. Swanson's stumbles are exceedingly rare during a season in which he's been one of manager Scott Servais' most reliable bullpen options -- he's still carrying a 1.85 ERA and 0.95 WHIP alongside an 11.7 K/9 despite the recent struggles.