MLB Player News

Cueto didn't test positive for COVID-19 despite being placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, but he's feeling under the weather due to cold and flu-like symptoms, Dieter Kurtenbach of San Jose Mercury News reports.

Assuming he doesn't produce a positive result in additional tests in the next 24 hours, Cueto should be cleared to rejoin the Giants as soon as his symptoms dissipate. Manager Gabe Kapler said the righty could start Tuesday's game against the Brewers if he's feeling better, so an update on that front should come in the hours leading up to that game's 9:45 p.m. ET opening pitch.

Wood was placed on the injured list Monday due to a positive COVID-19 test and symptoms of the virus, Dieter Kurtenbach of San Jose Mercury News reports.

How long the lefty must be sidelined depends on whether he's vaccinated, a detail that hasn't yet been disclosed. If unvaccinated, Wood will miss at least 10 days and thus no fewer than two starts. More updates on his symptoms and expected return date should become available in the next few days.

Wood was placed on the injured list Monday for unspecified reasons.

Wood was scheduled to start Tuesday's contest, but he'll now be sidelined for undisclosed reasons. The team announced the move without an injury designation or specifying which list he was placed on, which often means it's a COVID-19 situation. Assuming that's the case, Wood will be able to rejoin the team once he clears the health and safety protocols. Johnny Cueto (undisclosed), Monday's scheduled starter, was also placed on the IL under the same circumstances.

Cueto was placed on the injured list for unspecified reasons Monday.

The team didn't supply an injury designation or specify which list Cueto was placed on, which often means it's related to COVID-19. The veteran right-hander was poised to start Monday's series opener versus Milwaukee, but Jose Alvarez will now start a bullpen game for San Francisco. Assuming Cueto is on the COVID-19 IL, he'll be able to be activated once he clears the health and safety protocols.

Kershaw (forearm) pitched an inning in a simulated game Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw has missed nearly two months while battling forearm inflammation, but he's trending in the right direction and seemingly has time to return before the end of the year. He still has plenty of work to do to build up to a starter's workload, however, so he's likely multiple weeks away from being activated.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Mejia has made two major-league starts this season, allowing six runs on 14 hits over 11 innings of work. He could add to that total down the stretch but will head to the minors for now, clearing space for the team to recall Sean Poppen.

The Giants claimed Quintana off waivers from the Angels on Monday.

After opening his career with five straight seasons with sub-4.00 ERAs, Quintana's effectiveness took a step back over the following four years with the Cubs before falling off a cliff entirely thus far in 2021 with the Angels. While covering 53.1 innings in 24 outings (10 starts), Quintana has submitted a 6.75 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 1.5 HR/9 and 11.4 percent walk rate in 53.1 innings. On a positive note, Quintana has taken a major step forward as a strikeout artist, with his excellent 28.7 percent strikeout rate backed up by a career-high 11.9 percent swinging-strike rate. The Giants are likely hoping the 32-year-old southpaw can provide some value out of the bullpen as a multi-inning option in September.

Kim didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Pirates after tossing four innings of one-run ball, giving up three hits and a walk while fanning three.

Kim hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his previous three starts but hasn't pitched deep into the game in any of those contests either, as that has been an ongoing issue with the South Korean lefty in recent weeks -- he has tossed more than five innings just twice over his last six appearances since the All-Star break. He owns a 3.55 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and a 16:9 K:BB through 25.1 innings in that stretch.

Hamels (arm) said Monday that he has no plans to retire and plans to attempt another comeback in 2022, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

While recovering from the left shoulder injury he sustained late in the 2020 campaign as a member of Atlanta, Hamels delayed signing until August, when he reached a one-year deal with the Dodgers. The veteran southpaw was expected to be a rotation option for Los Angeles in September, but those plans were foiled when he experienced renewed pain in his left arm two weeks ago and was subsequently shut down for the season. Despite having made only one start in the majors the past two seasons and having now endured multiple arm-related setbacks, Hamels isn't deterred from giving it a go for his age-38 season in 2022. Hamels will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal over the winter and likely won't be guaranteed a rotation spot with any team heading into spring training.

Suarez (6-4) earned the win Sunday against Arizona after tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while fanning five.

Suarez out-dueled Madison Bumgarner and delivered another impressive outing, but perhaps more importantly, he bounced back after dropping his previous outing against the Diamondbacks earlier this month. Suarez has moved between the rotation and the bullpen this season but has been effective in both roles. He owns a blistering 1.80 ERA across his previous 10 appearances, though a 26:15 K:BB across 30 innings in that stretch suggests he still needs to work a bit more on his control and command.