MLB Player News

Suarez (elbow) played catch on the field at Truist Park on Friday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Suarez landed on the 15-day injured list nearly one month ago due to right elbow inflammation. He will need to complete mound work and throw to hitters before perhaps going out on a rehab assignment prior to his activation. A clearer picture regarding a return timeline for the setup man should become available as he continues his throwing progression.

The Brewers optioned Koenig to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

He's being dispatched to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for Lance McCullers. Koenig was roughed up for five runs without recording an out in his final appearance before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Pirates.

Holmes (fibula) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday.

Holmes has been ramping his throwing program up and has been cleared to try things out in a game. The veteran hurler posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 52.2 innings before going down in mid-May with a fractured right fibula. Holmes is a trade candidate and should be able to return to make at least one start before the Aug. 3 deadline.

The Orioles recalled Sanders from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Sanders was acquired from the Pirates earlier in the week. The 29-year-old right-hander has made 15 career appearances in the big leagues and has an 8.44 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 17:15 K:BB across 16 innings.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that Rivera will start the second game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Rays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rivera fared well in a spot start last weekend against the Mets, tossing 3.2 shutout frames. The lefty has been used mostly as a multi-inning reliever in 2026, as the 64 pitches he threw versus the Mets were his most since mid-April. Rivera should be capable of stretching out to around 70-to-75 pitches Friday, if needed.

Joyce (shoulder) averaged 100.2 mph with his fastball in a one-inning rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Joyce's fastball topped out at 102.3 mph, and he's now thrown 2.2 innings since resuming his rehab assignment following a setback in May. The hard-throwing right-hander was placed on the injured list just ahead of Opening Day and has yet to pitch in a big-league game this season. If all goes well, Joyce could potentially rejoin the Angels' bullpen later this month.

Lucchesi signed a contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Thursday.

Lucchesi posted a 13.50 ERA in five outings with the Angels earlier this season and logged a 3.24 ERA and 45:13 K:BB across 33.1 frames with Triple-A Salt Lake. The lefty is likely to get a chance in the Marines' rotation.

Woodford elected to become a free agent Wednesday.

Woodford passed through waivers after being booted off the Cubs' 40-man roster, but he'll look for a gig elsewhere rather than accepting an outright assignment to the minors. The righty holds a 7.46 ERA and 1.82 WHIP across 25.1 innings in the majors this season between the Cubs and Brewers.

The Cubs released Hendriks on Thursday.

Hendriks tossed four scoreless innings with a 5:1 K:BB at Triple-A Iowa, so he might have exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract. The veteran reliever logged a 6.59 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 13.2 frames last season with the Red Sox.

Bummer opted out of his minor-league contract with the Cubs on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After being released by Atlanta in May following a 7.63 ERA in 19 appearances, Bummer allowed four runs with a 3:2 K:BB over four innings with Triple-A Iowa. The southpaw has the ability to negotiate with other teams, though it's possible he already has a deal in place somewhere.