MLB Player News

The Nationals placed Lovelady on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left triceps strain.

Lovelady retired the only batter he faced during an appearance Sunday versus the Orioles, but he apparently came out of the outing with an injury. The lefty reliever has filled a variety of roles for the Nationals this season from opener to occasional closer, but he'll now been shelved at least through the All-Star break.

The Nationals placed Parker on the 15-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.

Parker was forced from an appearance Sunday versus the Orioles due to the injury. While the injury designation is listed as inflammation, it's not clear whether Parker might still need to undergo testing to rule out a more serious injury. The southpaw has collected a 6.58 ERA and 34:13 K:BB over 39.2 innings out of the Washington bullpen this season.

Pivetta (forearm) threw a light bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Pivetta likely didn't incorporate all of his pitchers or throw at full intensity, but the bullpen session is a step forward nonetheless as he works his way back from a flexor strain. The right-hander will need to complete multiple side sessions before advancing to facing hitters in live batting practice and eventually heading out on an extended rehab assignment. The Padres haven't pinpointed a target date for his return, but Pivetta's stay on the 60-day injured list will likely be extended through at least late July or early August.

Pagan (hamstring) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list this week after tossing scoreless innings in a pair of rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville over the weekend, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Pagan needed just six pitches to retire the side in his first outing with Louisville on Friday. He then faced the minimum in his second appearance Sunday erasing a leadoff single with a double-play groundout before inducing a lineout to end the frame. Since he threw just nine pitches Sunday, the Reds could be comfortable activating him from the IL ahead of Monday's series opener in Milwaukee, though it wouldn't be surprising if he was given a day to rest before being reinstated Tuesday. Whenever he's added back to the active roster, Pagan should reclaim closing duties for the Reds after converting six of nine save chances before hitting the IL on May 6 due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

Parker exited in the bottom of the seventh inning during his relief appearance in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Orioles due to left elbow discomfort, MLB.com reports. The left-hander struck out two and gave up two runs on two hits and one walk over 1.2 innings before departing the game.

Parker entered Sunday's game in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Nationals ahead 5-2, but despite surrendering a two-run home run in the appearance, he came away with his seventh hold of the season. The Nationals likely were counting on Parker to finish out the seventh inning, but he was lifted with two outs in the frame after he was in noticeable discomfort following a four-pitch walk. Manager Blake Butera said after the game that Parker won't be available for Monday's series opener against Pittsburgh and will be re-evaluated Tuesday.

Myers didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Phillies, giving up three runs on six hits over three relief innings as the Mets fell 5-4. He struck out three without walking a batter.

After Cionel Perez worked a perfect first inning as the opener, Myers took the mound and quickly ran into trouble as the visitors piled up three runs in the third. Myers was lifted after 59 pitches (48 strikes), his biggest workload of the year, but Kodai Senga then covered the final five frames. The Mets still have a vacancy in their fifth starter spot after trading David Peterson to the Cubs, but Senga seems a more likely candidate to work in bulk relief than Myers until the team settles on a longer-term solution. Over 24 appearances (three starts) and 42 innings in the majors this season, Myers carries a 6.21 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB.

O'Brien picked up the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over Miami. He allowed no hits or walks with a strikeout over one inning.

O'Brien had no issue finishing off the Marlins in the ninth inning, retiring the side in order on 15 pitches (10 strikes) to secure his 20th save. The right-hander has been lights out in save situations this month, converting all six of his opportunities without allowing a run across six innings, though he was tagged for six runs over three innings in non-save appearances during June. Among National League relievers, only Jhoan Duran and Mason Miller (21) have more saves than O'Brien, who owns a 3.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB across 34.1 innings this season.

Phillips (1-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks over 7.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out one.

Phillips logged his longest outing of the year, with the only damage coming on a Bryan Torres two-run homer in the second inning, but a lack of run support saddled the right-hander with the loss. Despite working deep into Sunday's contest, Phillips didn't generate many swings and misses, recording his fewest strikeouts in a start this season, though he also didn't issue a walk for the first time as a starter. The 28-year-old will take a 3.02 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 50:30 K:BB across 65.2 innings and 22 appearances (six starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Friday on the road against the Athletics.

Alvarado picked up a hold Sunday against the Mets, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out two in a scoreless seventh inning.

After serving as Philadelphia's closer at one point a year ago, the hard-throwing southpaw has reverted back to a setup role for closer Jhoan Duran in 2026. Through 30 innings, Alvarado has 5.70 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB with nine holds while also registering at least one strikeout in 10 straight outings.

Shugart took a blown save Sunday against the Mets, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk in one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

It was the first blown save of the season for Shugart, who served up a two-run home run to A.J. Ewing in the sixth inning. The 29-year-old right-hander has worked primarily in middle relief this year, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB with no holds across 28 innings.