MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Kimbrel is unavailable Wednesday against the Pirates while attempting to clean up some of his mechanics, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kimbrel last pitched Monday and blew the save against the Pirates, and he's given up runs in each of his past three outings. The right-hander's delivery has become too rotational, according to Roberts, so the veteran closer is taking a couple days off in an attempt to right the ship. Kimbrel is expected back on the mound by at least Friday, so he could also be available for any potential save situation Thursday versus the Mets. Daniel Hudson is the likely bet to step in for a save chance Wednesday, should one arise.

Hudson (4-2) allowed a run on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts in seven innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Padres.

Hudson had missed the five-inning mark in three of his last four starts, but he bounced back with his longest outing of the year Wednesday. The lone run on his line came from a Manny Machado RBI single in the first inning. This was also just the second time in 10 starts that Hudson's issued less than two walks -- the first time was in his season debut. He's done fairly well despite the shaky command, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 28:24 K:BB through 51.2 innings this year. He'll look to build off of this strong outing next week in a road start versus the Rays.

Pilkington (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in five shutout innings.

Pilkington hadn't shown much through his first two starts with the Guardians, but he turned in a good outing Wednesday. All of the Royals' hits in the contest were singles. Pilkington now has a 2.65 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 17 innings this season. While the walks are a little concerning, he's likely done enough to warrant staying in the rotation for another turn with Aaron Civale (glute) set to undergo a non-surgical procedure. Pilkington lines up for his next start versus the Rangers next week.

Strahm (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

The 30-year-old landed on the shelf Monday, but his placement on the COVID-19 IL was simply a precaution, allowing him to quickly rejoin the active roster. Strahm is coming off his worst outing of the season, and he was charged with a blown save and a loss Friday after giving up four runs (three earned) over one-third of an inning. That performance doubled the number of runs he's allowed this season, as he's otherwise been a reliable bullpen piece with a 1.88 ERA and 0.70 WHIP to go along with four holds and one save. Matt Barnes (shoulder) and Hansel Robles (back) have both landed on the injured list within the last week, which could put Strahm in a position to receive more save opportunities.

Rucker (toe) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Rucker was on the injured list since May 19, but he recently made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa and allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning. The right-hander should reclaim his role as a low-leverage reliever in the Cubs' bullpen.

Barnes was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to May 31.

Barnes surrendered three runs over one inning during Monday's loss to Baltimore, and he'll now be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks with the shoulder issue. The right-hander had a 7.94 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB across 17 innings this season, as he struggles from the second half of last year have carried over into 2022. The Red Sox figure to utilize a minor-league rehab assignment once Barnes is nearing his return in order to get him some re-acclimation time before being activated.

Rodriguez (elbow) was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Rodriguez has been on the 7-day minor-league injured list with a right elbow strain since April 14, and Wednesday's move will clear a spot on the Cubs' 40-man roster. The right-hander will be eligible to return in mid-June, but it seems likely that he'll head back to the minors once he's cleared for game action.

Mayza (forearm) is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

For the first time since he was shelved May 16 with left forearm inflammation, Mayza stepped back on the mound Tuesday. He relayed that he felt good following that side session, but the Blue Jays want Mayza to get in another bullpen workout before deciding on the next steps in his throwing program. If all goes well during Friday's bullpen session, Mayza could be sent out on a rehab assignment, though manager Charlie Montoyo has acknowledged that the lefty reliever may not require one.

The Angels optioned Rosenberg to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Rosenberg's demotion doesn't come as a major surprise after he was pressed into long-relief duty behind Noah Syndergaard in Tuesday's 9-1 loss to the Yankees. After Syndergaard exited midway through the third inning, Rosenberg proceeded to work five innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks along the way. The Angels called up Andrew Wantz from Triple-A to join the bullpen as a replacement for Rosenberg, who wasn't going to be available for a few days following the 99-pitch outing.

The Angels recalled Wantz from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Anaheim swapped Wantz into its bullpen for Kenny Rosenberg, who was optioned to Triple-A since he wasn't going to be available for at least the next four days after covering five innings and tossing 99 pitches in long relief during Tuesday's loss to the Yankees. Like Rosenberg before him, Wantz is expected to handle lower-leverage work out of the bullpen.