MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks recalled Mena from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Mena was in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse Tuesday, and manager Torey Lovullo noted that the right-hander, if officially called up, would deserve the opportunity to start Wednesday, per PHNX Diamondbacks. Mena was part of the package acquired by the Diamondbacks from the White Sox in the Dominic Fletcher trade in February. Mena has spent the entire year in Reno, and over his 16 minor-league starts, the 21-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.90 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 82.2 innings. He will make his major-league debut Wednesday on the road against the Dodgers.

Yamamoto is no longer feeling pain in his right shoulder, but he hasn't yet started throwing, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Yamamoto was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain two days after being able to complete only two innings in his most recent start June 15. While the rookie right-hander is now pain-free, he isn't yet throwing, and manager Dave Roberts indicated that there's no clear timeframe for when the hurler will pick up a ball again. The organization figures to be cautious with Yamamoto, and he almost certainly won't return to action until after the All-Star break.

Kershaw (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw was shut down from throwing last week after feeling soreness in his left shoulder following a rehab start June 19, but a subsequent MRI didn't reveal any damage, and he returned to throwing Tuesday. If his bullpen Wednesday goes well, the left-hander could resume his rehab assignment in short order. The shutdown isn't expected to make much of an impact on Kershaw's overall timeline to return to the Dodgers, though that isn't likely to happen until after the All-Star break.

The Marlins optioned Bellozo to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Bellozo made two starts for the Marlins, permitting five runs with a 10:1 K:BB over 10 innings of work. His turn in the rotation will come up Sunday and it's not clear at this point who Miami intends to use to fill that slot.

Blach gave up one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out a batter out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Brewers.

Blach made his second relief appearance since losing his spot in the rotation when the Rockies welcomed Kyle Freeland back from the injured list June 23. Over his nine starts with Colorado, Blach turned in a 5.83 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 46.1 innings.

Lopez will start on regular rest Sunday versus the Phillies for just the second time this season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez struggled in his last start Tuesday versus the Giants, allowing just two runs but walking four over five inefficient innings. Atlanta has baked in extra rest for Lopez whenever it can during the first half as the right-hander shifts from reliever to starter, but he'll take the ball on normal rest against the division-rival Phillies this weekend. With 79.1 innings in 2024, Lopez has already exceeded his workload from each of the previous two seasons.

Smith-Shawver (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome on Wednesday.

Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain back in late May but has been cleared to return to game action. The young right-hander should be an option for Atlanta's rotation shortly after the All-Star break if all goes well, although it's possible he'll remain in the minors rather than rejoin the major-league club.

The Brewers acquired Civale from the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league infielder Gregory Barrios, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Civale has an ERA north of 5.00 through 17 starts this season, but his xFIP is almost a full run lower at 4.09, and he should help stabilize the rotation for the division-leading Brewers. Shane Baz was scratched from his scheduled start for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and appears a likely candidate to replace Civale in the Tampa Bay rotation.

Cease (7-7) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Padres fell 7-0 to the Rangers. He struck out five.

The right-hander got no help from his offense, but Cease created his own problems by serving up six extra-base hits, including a pair of homers by Nathaniel Lowe. Cease has been tagged for four runs or more in three of his last four starts, walking multiple batters each time. He'll take a 4.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB through 102 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Mena has joined the Diamondbacks' taxi squad and appears in line to make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Dodgers, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged Mena's presence in the clubhouse Tuesday and said that "if that does come up [Wednesday], [Mena] deserves the opportunity," per PHNX Diamondbacks. Mena is a 21-year-old right-hander who was traded to Arizona over the winter. He has spent the entire 2024 season to date with Triple-A Reno, posting a 4.90 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 82.2 innings spanning 16 starts. A road matchup against the Dodgers represents a tough landing spot, and most will want to wait and see how the youngster fares before considering him for a fantasy roster.