MLB Player News

Anderson (elbow) is throwing "nice and easy" but is still "quite a ways away," according to manager Kevin Cash, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's good to hear that Anderson is throwing, and Topkin notes the Rays are optimistic that he will be able to return this season. However, it also sounds like his return is not imminent. In the meantime, Diego Castillo, Pete Fairbanks and J.P. Feyereisen are all options at the end of games for Tampa Bay.

Nance (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief and earned the win Friday against the Cardinals. He walked a batter and struck out two without giving up a hit.

The 30-year-old rookie has been good so far for the Cubs, as he has now gone 11.1 innings without allowing a run, and he's struck out 13. Friday's win in relief was also the first for Nance at the big-league level. Chicago's bullpen has featured a few surprising performers this season, and Nance is adding his name to that list. He should continue to see opportunities as long as he's pitching well.

Kimbrel recorded one strikeout in a perfect ninth inning Friday against the Cardinals en route to his 16th save.

He has now gone 10 straight appearances without allowing an earned run and has struck out 17 in 9.1 innings while recording nine saves and one win over that impressive three-week stretch.

Paredes was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Paredes exited his relief appearance Thursday with the shoulder issue. Manager Dusty Baker had already deemed the right-hander unavailable for Friday's series opener against the Twins, but now Paredes is set for a longer absence. The Astros have yet to disclose a timetable for his return, but the reliever will be eligible to come off the IL on June 21. Ralph Garza was recalled in a corresponding roster move.

Bukauskas (elbow) has begun throwing, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

He is out with a right elbow flexor strain and has not pitched since May 14. Bukauskas does not have a timetable to return. He gave up eight earned runs while striking out eight over 11 appearances out of the big-league bullpen.

Manager Dusty Baker said that Paredes (shoulder) will not be available to pitch Friday against the Twins, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Paredes struggled in his relief appearance Thursday and ended up exiting with a shoulder injury. Baker said that the club isn't yet sure if the right-hander will need to go on the injured list, but he'll remain unavailable through at least Friday.

Graveman (COVID-19 protocols) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list prior to Friday's game against Cleveland.

Graveman hasn't pitched since May 16 and was officially placed on the COVID-19 injured list May 23. The right-hander went on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma earlier this week and is now set to rejoin Seattle's bullpen. Graveman figures slot back in immediately as one of manager Scott Servais' top closer options going forward.

Armstong was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk after clearing waivers Friday.

Armstrong was designated for assignment June 4 after posting an ugly 8.55 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 20 big-league relief innings. Unsurprisingly, he went unclaimed on the waiver wire, so he'll now look to go work on his craft at Triple-A.

Santillan will be called up to start Sunday against the Rockies for his major-league debut, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan will step into the rotation for at least one start with Sonny Gray (groin) and Jeff Hoffman (shoulder) both injured. He's not a particularly highly-rated prospect, though he's started this season well at Triple-A Louisville, posting a 2.51 ERA and a 34.4 percent strikeout rate through six starts.

Antone was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with right forearm inflammation, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

News of Antone's placement on the IL was reported earlier Friday, though it wasn't revealed until later in the afternoon that the right-hander is dealing with the forearm issue. The injury doesn't appear to be serious, as manager David Bell said Friday that he is "very confident" Antone will be ready to be activated when first eligible June 18, per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. With Antone on the shelf for the time being, Heath Hembree is among those that could see increased work in high-leverage situations.