MLB Player News

Mlodzinski will start Friday's game against the Mets, Jose Negron of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Mlodzinski is getting another opportunity to start for the Pirates after Mitch Keller (arm) went down with a season-ending injury. Although each of Mlodzinski's last 14 appearances have come in relief, he has covered multiple innings in all of those outings, including going three shutout frames in each of his last two trips to the hill. He threw 47 pitches in his last appearance Aug. 1, so Mlodzinski should be handle around 60 pitches Friday.

The Cardinals outrighted Hence to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Thursday.

It's a bit of a surprise that the former top prospect passed through waivers unclaimed, even after holding a 6.64 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 20.1 innings this season at Triple-A Memphis. Hence is likely being sent to the FCL in order to work on his mechanics in a less pressurized setting.

Ray is listed as the Padres' probable pitcher for Friday's game against the Astros in Houston.

Ray will be taking the hill on seven days' rest as he makes his debut for the Padres, who acquired him Monday in a deal that sent right-hander Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez to the Giants. The 34-year-old southpaw was one of two additions to the rotation at the deadline, as the Padres also brought aboard Casey Mize from the Tigers. Ray will look to aid the Friars' playoff push over the next seven and a half weeks before heading into free agency this winter.

Griffin (12-4) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Making his Guardians debut, Griffin didn't leave an encouraging first impression with his new club. The left-hander has now coughed up 11 runs in his past two starts (9.1 innings), which is quite the disappointment after he gave up 10 runs altogether across his previous nine outings. Griffin will be aiming to get back on track his next time out in Detroit, where he'll bring what is still an impressive 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 122:32 K:BB over 133.1 innings for Washington and Cleveland.

The Cardinals claimed Pereira off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday.

He's out of minor-league options, so Pereira will report directly to the big club. Pereira has slashed .225/.284/.438 with four home runs and a 5:30 BB:K across 88 plate appearances in the big leagues this season. The 25-year-old is sporting a .790 OPS against left-handed pitching and could slot into a short-side platoon role in center field with Nathan Church.

Kreidler is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Kansas City.

Kreidler had made four consecutive starts at shortstop, but he will begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Tristan Gray will occupy shortstop in Kreidler's stead as the Twins try to avoid being swept.

The Nationals paused Early's (elbow) throwing program Thursday after he felt forearm tightness during his latest live BP session, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Early has been sidelined by elbow inflammation since the beginning of July. He was aiming to return from the IL to make his Nationals debut sometime in late August, but the latest setback is likely to extend his time on the shelf. Manager Blake Butera noted that the left-hander's forearm issue isn't too concerning, per Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com, but the team is still going to be "ultra cautious" with Early going forward and give him some time off to rest before reevaluating and determining next steps.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Kansas City.

Jeffers will receive a routine day off after starting each of the previous six contests. Victor Caratini will do the catching and bat eighth for the Twins.

Neto went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Orioles.

Batting cleanup as opposed to his customary leadoff spot Thursday, Neto responded by showing off his power stroke. The shortstop snapped a long power outage, last going deep July 5, so it's possible the Angels will keep him in the No. 4 lineup position in an attempt to keep his power up. Through 502 plate appearances, Neto is slashing .230/.317/.426 with 20 homers, 50 RBI, 14 stolen bases and 74 runs scored.

Natera secured the save against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

The departure of Kirby Yates to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline has since opened up ninth-inning work for the Angels. Natera appears to be firmly in the mix alongside Ben Joyce, having been scored upon just one time in his past 11 outings while tallying multiple punchouts on eight occasions during that span. Natera is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities, boasting a 2.16 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB with four holds across 25 innings.