MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Long to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

After Johnny Cueto (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Long was summoned from Triple-A to fill in his spot in the rotation Saturday. Because he had been working out of the bullpen in his recent outings at Sacramento, Long didn't work deep into Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Rockies, covering two innings while giving up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four. It's unclear if he'll be stretched back out for starting duty, but with Cueto in line for a brief stay on the IL, the Giants likely won't have an immediate need for Long in any case.

Taylor (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Sunday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

It's unclear whether Taylor tested positive for the virus or if he's a close contact, but he'll be away from the team until he clears the health and safety protocols. Connor Wong was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

The Pirates called up Peters from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to his scheduled start Sunday against the Brewers, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Pittsburgh moved Bryse Wilson (general soreness) to the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, and Peters will presumably step in as a replacement in the rotation while the former is sidelined. Over 132.2 career innings in the majors, Peters owns a 5.83 ERA and 6.9 K/9.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to unspecified right arm fatigue, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Cherington didn't indicate that Wilson is dealing with an injury; instead, his move to the IL looks to be mostly a means of giving his arm some extra rest while maintaining roster flexibility. Wilson isn't expected to be shut down for the season, though the Pirates could manage his innings once he's reinstated from the IL. The Pirates called up Dillon Peters from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, and he'll start Pittsburgh's series finale against the Brewers while likely filling Wilson's rotation spot for the time being. Wilson will be eligible to return from the IL beginning Aug. 25.

Harvey (lat) began throwing to hitters in Sarasota on Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Harvey has been rehabbing with the Orioles' Florida Complex League team since mid-July. He still hasn't appeared in a game at a lower level, although it's unclear if he'll need much game action before rejoining the big-league roster. It appears the right-hander's most recent timeline of returning by Monday will end up being pushed back a bit longer.

The Brewers transferred Curtiss (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Curtiss was diagnosed with a torn UCL in in right elbow a few days ago and is set to miss the rest of the season, so the Brewers' decision to move him to the 60-day IL is merely a formality. The right-hander has yet to decide whether to undergo Tommy John surgery to address the injury, though the procedure would seem to be a likely outcome.

Zimmermann (biceps) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday with a sprained right ankle.

The left-hander has been sidelined the past two months by biceps tendinitis but was poised to rejoin Baltimore's rotation Sunday, but the ankle sprain will extend his absence. Zimmermann has already been out 60-plus days and can be activated from the IL at any point, though it's unclear how much longer he's expected to be sidelined after suffering the sprained ankle.

The Brewers optioned Topa to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Topa will cede his spot on the active roster to pitcher Eric Lauer, who was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates. After being activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Topa made two appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen, giving up five earned runs on five hits across 1.2 innings.

Heuer (4-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Marlins after allowing two unearned runs on two hits while fanning one across one inning.

Heuer pitched the eighth with the Cubs holding a one-run lead, but he was unable to maintain that advantage and ultimately gave up both the tying and winning runs -- though both runs came home thanks to a fielding error by Sergio Alcantara. The right-hander, who was acquired by the Cubs from the White Sox before the trade deadline, owns a 2.25 ERA through seven appearances (eight innings) with the Cubs.

Bender recorded the save Saturday against the Cubs after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, fanning two.

Bender had the task of closing things out with a one-run lead after the Marlins restored the lead in the bottom of the eighth, and he got the job done while needing just 13 pitches (seven strikes) to do so. The right-hander has gone 3-for-5 in save chances this season, and while he has given up runs in two of his last four appearances, it's worth noting he has allowed only two runs over his last 10 games.