MLB Player News

Thomas has been shut down from throwing and is "back to square one" in his recovery from an elbow injury, David Gasper of Athlon Sports reports.

Thomas has been on the IL since early April due to a left elbow injury. Per Gasper, the lefty reliever had loose bodies appear in the affected elbow in late May, and he's now being re-evaluated. It appears Thomas could remain out of action for a significant amount of additional time.

Atlanta claimed Ruiz off waivers from Philadelphia on Saturday.

Ruiz was designated for assignment by the Phillies last weekend and will now join his fourth MLB organization over the past three seasons. The veteran reliever struggled during his time with Philadelphia this season, posting an 8.16 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB over 14.1 frames. Ruiz will likely take on a low-leverage role in Atlanta's bullpen while he tries to get better results with his new club.

The Pirates designated Wentz for assignment Saturday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Wentz has pitched in 19 games for the Pirates this season, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB over 26 innings. His last outing took place back on May 27, when he earned a win in relief by throwing 3.2 innings of one-run ball. Per Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com, both righty reliever Isaac Mattson and catcher Brett Sullivan have lockers in Pittsburgh's clubhouse Saturday, so it sounds like additional moves are forthcoming.

The Dodgers designated Stratton for assignment Saturday.

This is the second time Stratton has been designated for assignment in the past week -- he was previously DFA'd on Monday but cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minors before rejoining the big-league squad Friday. In his latest turn with the team, Stratton allowed one run in one inning against the Cardinals on Friday. Stratton's removal from the 40-man roster makes room for the activation of fellow reliever Michael Kopech (shoulder) from the 60-day IL.

The Dodgers activated Yates (hamstring) off the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Yates went on the IL due to a hamstring injury May 18 and didn't end up needing a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated. The veteran reliever should immediately move back to a high-leverage role in the Dodgers' bullpen and could get some save chances with Tanner Scott having some uneven outings of late and the team not committed to a full-time closer. Yates' activation was part of a series of pitching roster moves by Los Angeles on Saturday, as the club also activated Michael Kopech (shoulder) from the 60-day IL, designated reliever Chris Stratton for assignment and placed starter Tony Gonsolin (elbow) on the 15-day injured list.

The Marlins optioned Soriano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Soriano was called up from Jacksonville on Tuesday and got into one game while he was with Miami, allowing one run on four hits while striking out two batters over two innings against Tampa Bay on Friday. The righty reliever will now return to the minors to make room on the Marlins' roster for Connor Gillispie, who was recalled in a corresponding move.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Bowlan is coming off a rough outing against the White Sox on Friday, when he allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings. In a corresponding move, Kansas City selected Trevor Richards' contract from Omaha.

The Royals selected Richards' contract from Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Richards signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on May 9 after being released by the Cubs three days prior. The 32-year-old right-hander struggled with Triple-A Iowa, but he's been better out of the bullpen for Omaha, where he has a 1.69 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, two saves and an 11:5 K:BB across 10.2 innings. Richards will take the spot on the Royals' 26-man roster vacated by Jonathan Bowlan, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has confirmed that McGreevy will be called up from the minors to start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

McGreevy was effective in his lone major-league outing this season, tossing 5.2 scoreless frames with five strikeouts, one walk and just one hit allowed against the Mets on May 4. The right-hander has also fared well with Triple-A Memphis, posting a 2.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB over 55 innings. Marmol indicated Saturday that McGreevy's spot with the big club won't be a one-off this time around, per John Denton of MLB.com.

Walker picked up a blown save in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning win over Atlanta, allowing two earned runs on three hits -- including one home run -- while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Walker struck out the lone batter he faced in the sixth inning. However, he struggled in the seventh, surrendering a single and a two-run homer to the first two batters he faced. The right-hander threw 18 of his 27 pitches for strikes, marking his highest pitch count this season. Walker has appeared in five games since being removed from the closer role, during which he has been charged with three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out two across 3.2 innings.