MLB Player News

The Reds reinstated Fraley (shoulder) from the injured list Saturday.

A partial tear of Fraley's right labrum has kept him sidelined since late June, but he's been cleared to return to the Reds after going 2-for-11 with a run scored during a three-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. The 30-year-old should reclaim his role as Cincinnati's primary right fielder against right-handers now that he's healthy. Christian Encarnacion-Strand was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Svanson has been fairly reliable out of the bullpen for the Cardinals this season, turning in a 3.12 ERA and 0.81 WHIP through 26 innings. However, the Cardinals will prioritize filling their bullpen with a fresh arm heading into the All-Star break, so the 26-year-old will head back to Triple-A in favor of Gordon Graceffo.

The Cardinals recalled Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Graceffo owns a 6.62 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 17.2 innings with the Cardinals this season, but he's given up just one run in 7.1 frames since being sent to Triple-A on June 23. His recent turnaround will afford him another chance with the big club, and he'll replace Matt Svanson in St. Louis' bullpen.

Bummer will serve as Atlanta's opening pitcher in a bullpen game Saturday against the Cardinals.

For the second Saturday in a row, Bummer will fill an opener role in a bullpen game while Atlanta has yet to settle on a permanent replacement in the rotation for Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), who is likely to be sidelined until around September. In his previous turn as an opener last weekend against the Orioles, Bummer covered 2.1 innings, and Atlanta could be looking for him to handle a similar workload Saturday. Atlanta doesn't have an obvious candidate to serve as a bulk reliever behind Bummer, though Jesse Chavez and the newly claimed Joey Wentz are available on three days' rest and should be capable of covering multiple frames, if needed.

Blalock is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The Rockies called Blalock up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, but after going unused out of the bullpen in the team's ensuing four games, he'll now slot into the rotation spot vacated by Chase Dollander, who was optioned to the minors earlier this week. Over five appearances (three starts) with Colorado on the season, Blalock owns a 12.94 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 16 innings. He won't make for a reliable streaming option Saturday against a Reds squad that tagged him for six runs over four innings back on April 27 at Coors Field.

Gibaut (shoulder) has started playing catch, MLB.com reports.

Gibaut says he's feeling good again, but a targeted return date is unknown at this time. The right-handed reliever should take the usual steps -- bullpens, live batting practice and brief rehab assignment -- before rejoining the Reds.

Saggese will go through pregame workouts and possibly see game action in the outfield, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Saggese has never played the outfield in pro ball, but increasing his versatility would give him another path to playing time, particularly with the Cardinals being left-handed heavy in the outfield. The 23-year-old has not yet found his swing at the big-league level, slashing just .241/.256/.342 in 26 contests. It seems likelier that Saggese's test drive in the outfield ultimately comes at Triple-A Memphis, once Ivan Herrera (hamstring) and Jordan Walker (appendix) return from the 10-day injured list.

Fraley (shoulder) completed a three-game rehab assignment and could be activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Fraley played three games for Triple-A Louisville from Tuesday through Thursday and reported no issues. He was given Friday off in preparation for a potential weekend return.

The Cubs optioned Wicks to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

After getting blown up for six runs on 10 hits and a walk over three innings during Friday's game, Wicks will head back to the minors in order to get back on track. Brooks Kriske will come up from Iowa to replace Wicks in Chicago's bullpen.

The Cardinals have no specific timetable for Walker's (appendix) activation from the 10-day injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Walker is physically recovered from a bout with appendicitis, but the Cardinals are having him work on a swing change on his rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield and want to see some positive results at the plate before activating him. Those positive results have yet to come, as Walker is 5-for-38 with 14 strikeouts thus far in 10 rehab games between Springfield and Triple-A Memphis. He did homer Thursday at Springfield, so perhaps that was a step in the right direction. Walker's role with the Cardinals upon his return is also up in the air, especially with Ivan Herrera (hamstring) returning as a designated hitter, which will likely keep Alec Burleson in the outfield.