MLB Player News

Bednar is dealing with a lower-back issue and is unavailable Tuesday against the Nationals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Manager Derek Shelton said they are hoping to avoid an injured list stint for the back issue that Bednar has been dealing with, which had gone unreported until now. Two of Bednar's three blown saves have come in his last three appearances, and he has given up three runs while striking out seven in 3.2 innings over that stretch. It's unclear who would be next up behind Bednar, but Wil Crowe and Chris Stratton seem like potential options.

The Red Sox selected Bracho's contract from Triple-A Worcester prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox are shorthanded for this series in Toronto, so Bracho will likely be sent back to Worcester once this series is over. He has a 3.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 31.1 innings in the minors this season.

Pagan (1-3) took the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians, giving up two runs on a hit and two walks without recording an out as the Twins fell 3-2.

The right-hander entered the game to protect a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning, but Pagan walked the first two batters he faced and advanced them both on a wild pitch before Amed Rosario cashed them in with a single. It's noteworthy that Pagan wasn't held back for a potential save situation in the ninth, instead getting the call to face the top of Cleveland's order in the eighth, and given that he's allowed multiple runs in three of his last four appearances while converting just 9-of-14 save chances on the season, time could be running out on his stint as the Twins' closer.

Smeltzer didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

The southpaw established a new season high in strikeouts as he tossed 63 of 95 pitches for strikes, but Smeltzer had to settle for a no-decision as the Twins didn't get on the board until the seventh inning in an eventual 3-2 loss. The quality start was Smeltzer's fifth in nine big-league outings this season, and he sports a 2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 50.1 innings.

The Brewers optioned Kelley to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Kelley and utility man Pablo Reyes were sent back to the minors to clear room on the 26-man active roster for starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (hand) and second baseman Kolten Wong (calf), who were reinstated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener with the Rays. During his month-long stay with the Brewers, Kelley appeared in 13 games out of the bullpen and logged a 7.31 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 16 innings.

Oller recorded his first hold in a loss to the Yankees on Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three walks over 1.1 innings.

After working around a pair of walks to get out of the bottom of the sixth unblemished, Oller put on another couple of hitters on before exiting with one out in the seventh. The right-hander was eventually charged with two runs when those runners came around to score on A.J. Puk's watch, meaning Oller has now allowed at least one earned run in seven of his eight appearances.

Puk (1-1) was charged with the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and a hit batsman over one-third of an inning.

Puk's rollercoaster of an appearance began when he plunked the first batter he faced, Anthony Rizzo, to load the bases. Giancarlo Stanton subsequently reached on a catcher's interference to plate DJ LeMahieu and Puk then conceded a two-run double to Josh Donaldson before exiting. The rocky outing was an extension of a rough patch for the left-hander, who's now given up at least one run in three of the last four appearances to raise his ERA and WHIP from 1.65 and 0.99 to 2.73 and 1.11, respectively.

Jansen will still be able to throw bullpen sessions even after landing on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat, leaving Atlanta optimistic that he'll be ready to return around the minimum amount of time, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Jansen was first diagnosed with the irregular heartbeat in 2011 and missed time that season, as well as during the 2012 and 2018 campaigns after experiencing recurrences of the cardiac issue. When he was most recently sidelined with an irregular heartbeat in 2018, Jansen missed the minimum amount of time when MLB had a 10-day IL in place, and since he'll be able to keep throwing while he's on the shelf, Atlanta is hopeful the 34-year-old has a similarly brief absence this time around. While Jansen is out, Atlanta will likely turn to either A.J. Minter or Will Smith for save situations.

Hendriks (forearm) threw a bullpen session Monday prior to Chicago's series opener in Anaheim, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Manager Tony La Russa would not commit to Hendriks needing a Triple-A rehab assignment before returning, but it sounds like he's on track for activation sometime in early July. Meanwhile, Kendall Graveman is likely to continue to filling in for saves in Hendriks' absence.

Minter and Will Smith are viewed as the top candidates to pick up saves for Atlanta after closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an irregular heartbeat, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen has previously missed action during the 2011, 2012 and 2018 seasons on account of cardiac issues, so he'll likely need medical clearance from doctors before making his return from the IL following his latest recurrence of an irregular heartbeat. According to Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jansen will still able to throw bullpen sessions while he's on the shelf, leaving Atlanta optimistic that he'll be sidelined for only a brief period of time. However long Jansen is out, Minter could be thrust into the closer mix, even though Smith has more experience in the role and is coming off a 37-save campaign in 2021. However, with Smith's effectiveness having waned as he's moved into more of a setup role in 2022, manager Brian Snitker could be inclined to give a look in the ninth inning to Minter, who has arguably been Atlanta's best reliever this season. The lefty sports an outstanding 1.69 ERA and supports it with strong peripherals (31.7 K-BB%, 1.92 SIERA). He's also held his own against right-handed hitters, who have slashed a collective .238/.279/.338 against him while striking out 30 times in 87 plate appearances (34.4 percent).