MLB Player News

Peters (back) will throw live batting practice in Tampa sometime this weekend, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Peters landed on the 15-day IL due to a back muscle spasm in early June, and he won't return to action when first eligible. However, he'll take a significant step in his recovery process by facing live hitters over the weekend and could return to game action sometime next week if he feels good following his live BP.

Giles, reinstated from the injured list Monday, fired a scoreless ninth inning during which he recorded a strikeout in a win over the Athletics on Tuesday.

The veteran right-hander's return to the majors was a long time coming, as Tuesday's appearance marked his first regular-season outing since mid-September 2020 due to injuries. Giles got through his frame on a relatively efficient 15 pitches, 11 which found the strike zone. The 8-2 lead the Mariners enjoyed at the time of Giles' entry represented the ideal low-leverage spot to reintroduce him to game action, and he's likely to continue seeing most of his opportunities under those conditions for the time being.

Diaz (biceps) played catch Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Diaz was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right biceps tendinitis, but it's encouraging to see him throwing off flat ground several days after the transaction. Although biceps tendinitis can sometimes lead to more serious issues, the right-hander has made good progress early in his IL stint and doesn't currently appear to be dealing with a particularly severe injury.

The Orioles outrighted Lowther to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Lowther remains in the organization after he went unclaimed off waivers when the Orioles designated him for assignment last week. The 26-year-old lefty tossed 5.1 innings of long relief in his lone appearance with Baltimore on May 31 before he was optioned back to Norfolk and later dropped from the 40-man roster.

Quijada (0-2) was tagged with the loss against Kansas City on Tuesday as a result of allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over one inning. He struck out one batter.

The wild contest featured 14 combined runs between the sixth and ninth inning, and the teams went into extra frames with the score tied 10-10. Both clubs went scoreless in the 10th, but the Royals scored twice off Quijada in the 11th and went on to claim a one-run victory. This was only the second time this season that Quijada has allowed an earned run, and he holds a 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over nine innings on the campaign.

Otto (illness) rejoined the Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday and will likely be activated from the COVID-19-related injured list to start in Sunday's home game against the Nationals, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Otto returned to Arlington after he made a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Round Rock. Though Otto was roughed up for four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings, the fact that he didn't stick around with Round Rock suggests the Rangers are preparing to have him back in the rotation this weekend. According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the Rangers already announced that No. 5 starter Taylor Hearn will be available out of the bullpen this weekend, which seemingly supports the notion that Otto will be cleared to make his first start for the big club since June 4.

Stephan (3-2) walked one and struck out three in one scoreless inning to earn the win over the Twins on Tuesday.

Stephan walked Byron Buxton to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning, but he bounced back to strike out Carlos Correa, Max Kepler and Gary Sanchez in order. The Guardians pulled ahead in the 11th and Emmanuel Clase made it stick to earn Stephan his first win since April 29. He's kept runs off the board in six of his seven appearances in June and now owns a 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 24.2 innings overall. Stephan has added a save, four holds and a blown save, though he only occasionally sees high-leverage spots.

Leone allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless inning to pick up a hold in Tuesday's 12-10 win over Atlanta.

Leone has emerged as more of a high-leverage option in June, recording five of his nine holds this season in his nine appearances this month. In that span, he's given up one run on nine hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 8.2 innings. For the season, the veteran right-hander owns a steady 2.36 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB in 26.2 innings. He's added a save, a blown save and a 3-0 record, though he's likely to be fourth at best in the bullpen hierarchy behind Camilo Doval, Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers.

Hill (2-0) earned the win over Arizona on Tuesday by retiring one batter.

The game went into extra innings, and Hill was brought in with two outs and two runners on base in the top of the 11th. He began his outing by hitting Josh Rojas with a pitch but got out of the bases-loaded situation by inducing a fielder's-choice groundout. Hill was then credited with the win when San Diego walked off with a victory in the bottom of the frame. The lefty reliever has pitched four straight scoreless outings and has collected five holds along with his pair of wins on the season.

Littell allowed two runs on a hit and a hit batter in one inning during Tuesday's 12-10 win over Atlanta.

Littell hit Michael Harris with a pitch and then surrendered a two-run home run to Ronald Acuna in the fourth inning. That briefly gave Atlanta the lead, but San Francisco pulled ahead in the sixth and held on from there to spare Littell a loss. He's given up four runs in his last 10.1 innings, and he's still looking a little shaky with a 5.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB across 26 innings overall. The right-hander has added a 1-2 record and three holds, but with six homers allowed, he'll need to work on keeping the ball in the yard to find more success.