MLB Player News

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that the team envisions Mears (elbow) playing catch in the coming days, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mears has been shut down for two weeks after he experienced right forearm tightness following a rehab start at Triple-A Indianapolis in June. However, the right-hander had his rehab transferred to the Pirates' alternate spring training facility in Florida and is close to resuming a throwing program. Once he's ultimately cleared to resume throwing, Mears will presumably need to build his workload back up following his shutdown.

Peters (back) will make another rehab appearance at Triple-A Indianapolis, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Peters began his rehab assignment June 28 and has allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out three in four innings over three appearances in Indianapolis. The southpaw will make at least one more outing in the minors before the Pirates determine whether he's ready to return.

Kimbrel had a CT scan on his back come back clean, and he'll be available to pitch Wednesday against Colorado, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel was struck by a line drive Sunday and has not pitched since then, but he received good news from the CT scan and appears to be ready to return to the mound. Brusdar Graterol picked up his second career save in Kimbrel's stead Tuesday, but it will likely be Kimbrel handling ninth-inning duties if a save opportunity arises Wednesday. Ardaya previously reported that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is "not even considering" moving the veteran Kimbrel -- who has blown two of his past three save chances -- out of the closer role.

The Pirates reinstated De Los Santos from the COVID-19-related injured list Wednesday.

Since De Los Santos was first placed on the IL on Sunday, he may not have even tested positive for the virus, or he was able to clear the necessary protocols quickly if he did. Due to the brevity of his absence, De Los Santos won't need to regain conditioning and should be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale with the Yankees.

Diplan was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Wednesday.

After being sent down by the Orioles on June 25, the right-hander will lose his spot on the 40-man roster since the Orioles claimed left-hander Kirk McCarty off waivers from the Guardians on Wednesday. Diplan will likely remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Vespi picked up a save in late June since a game was called after six complete innings, but he served mainly as a middle reliever during his time in the Orioles' bullpen. The southpaw made 11 relief appearances during his month with the major-league club and posted a 6.35 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 11.1 innings. Right-hander Beau Sulser was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Atlanta outrighted Bracho to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

After he cleared waivers upon being designated for assignment Monday, Bracho will now report to Triple-A Gwinnett. He appeared in one game with Atlanta, tossing one scoreless inning while hitting a batter.

Wilson will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Wilson was sent down by Pittsburgh on Sunday but will rejoin the major-league club to make a spot start during Thursday's nightcap. He's had lackluster results over his last five major-league outings and has posted a 10.89 ERA and 2.27 WHIP in 20.2 innings during that time.

Honeywell (elbow) threw a flat-ground bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to resume throwing off a mound shortly before the All-Star break, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Honeywell had been steadily increasing his throwing distance while playing catch in recent weeks, but Tuesday marked the first time he had been throwing off flat ground with any sort of intensity since he was shut down late in spring training with a olecranon stress reaction in the back of his right elbow. Given the myriad arm troubles he endured in recent years, Honeywell will likely be eased along slower in his rehab compared to most pitchers under similar circumstances, so he could be a month or more away from coming off the 60-day injured list.

Weber was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday.

Weber's contract was selected by the Yankees last week, and he tossed a scoreless relief inning against the Guardians on Saturday. He's given up just one run in 4.2 innings over two major-league appearances this year but will lose his place on the Yankees' 40-man roster after Miguel Castro was reinstated from the restricted list Wednesday.