MLB Player News

Graterol (conditioning) is expected to be activated off the injured list Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old was previously expected to return Saturday, but the Dodgers will instead wait at least one more day. Graterol dealt with COVID-19 during the offseason and had a delayed start to spring training, leading to the IL stint to open the season. The right-hander is already with the team in San Diego as a member of the taxi squad.

Smeltzer was recalled by the Twins on Saturday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Smeltzer missed out on an Opening Day roster spot after he posted a 15.75 ERA and 2.50 WHIP in four innings during three appearances (one start) this spring. He'll join the major-league pitching staff after Lewis Thorpe was sent down in a corresponding move. Smeltzer should serve as a long reliever for the Twins but could also be an option to fill in as a starter if needed.

Kittredge will serve as the opener during Sunday's game against the Yankees, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Kittredge has made four relief appearances to begin the season and has posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 5.1 innings during that time. Ryan Yarbrough will serve as the primary pitcher and pitch the bulk of the innings Sunday, but Kittredge will begin the game on the mound for the series finale against the Yankees.

Graterol (conditioning) is likely to be activated for Saturday's game against the Padres, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

Graterol has yet to pitch in 2021 after an offseason bout with COVID-19 impacted his readiness for spring training. He has been working out at the team's alternate training site and appears to be ready to rejoin the club. The Dodgers could certainly use an additional bullpen arm after they went through six relievers during Friday's 12-inning victory over the Padres.

Erceg has been working on pitching at the Brewers' alternate training site as he attempts to become a two-way player, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Erceg is exactly the type of player that a team might want to convert to a two-way role. He's not a non-prospect on the offensive side, but his bat doesn't seem quite good enough for him to carve out a meaningful role. He also has experience as a pitcher, having served as a closer in college. His path to the big leagues could involve him pitching well enough to be the last man in the bullpen while hitting well enough to be the last man on the bench, giving the team more flexibility with its other 25 roster spots.

Suero left Saturday's game against Arizona with an apparent injury, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Suero faced just a single batter before exiting the game. The nature and severity of his injury are not yet clear.

Vesia will be recalled by the Dodgers ahead of Saturday's game against the Padres, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The Dodgers used six relievers during Friday's 12-inning win over San Diego, so Vesia will be available as bullpen depth Saturday. Vesia made five relief appearances for the Marlins in 2020 and allowed nine runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings. He should serve as a low-leverage reliever in the big leagues and could be sent back to the team's alternate training site once the Dodgers' bullpen is fully rested.

Puk (biceps) hasn't yet thrown off a mound, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Puk started throwing from 90 feet recently, but he still doesn't have a timetable for his return since he hasn't gotten back on the mound. Manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that the team should have a better idea of Puk's return timetable once he throws a bullpen session. The left-hander has been sidelined since April 7 due to a left biceps strain.

Diekman was credited with his second hold in a win over the Tigers on Friday, firing a perfect eighth inning in which he struck out the side.

Diekman was in vintage 2020 form for arguably the first time this season, mowing through a trio of Tigers on 17 pitches. The veteran left-hander has now put together three straight scoreless efforts, lowering his ERA from 10.13 to 4.26 in the process while recording his first two holds of the campaign.

Misiewicz (2-0) earned the win in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Astros, firing a perfect ninth inning while striking out two.

Misiewicz was busy in his return from the COVID-19 injured list as he was tasked with maintaining a 5-5 tie in the ninth inning and proceeded to dispatch the side with ease on 13 pitches (nine strikes). It wouldn't take long for the Mariners to score in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Misiewicz his second win of the season. The 26-year-old has yet to surrender a run or walk a batter this season across five outings.