MLB Player News

Leiter picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Padres. He struck out three over a scoreless inning.

Despite getting lit up in his previous outing, Leiter got the chance to close out a one-run lead Friday. After striking out the side, he has a career-high 13.69 K/9 in 2023. Since Brad Boxberger (forearm) landed on the IL on May 13, Leiter has converted two saves and Adbert Alzolay has picked up one. Alzolay pitched in a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning Friday, entering with two on and no outs, so both pitchers will likely be in the closer mix until Boxberger returns.

Castro allowed two hits in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Castro put two of the first three batters aboard in the ninth inning, but got a flyout from Ozzie Albies and a groundout from Orlando Arcia to avoid disaster. This was Castro's 11th straight scoreless appearance, a span in which he's picked up five of his six saves this year while adding two holds and two wins. The right-hander continues to get late-inning work as a result of his strong pitching -- he's at a 2.13 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings this year, bringing stability to the back end of Arizona's bullpen. Andrew Chafin remains Castro's primary competition for save chances in what's become a two-man committee.

Strahm will work as an opener for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Seidman notes that Strahm could work two innings before giving way to the bullpen. Dylan Covey was originally penciled in as Saturday's start against Washington, and it seems possible that he could work as a bulk reliever after Strahm exits.

Yacabonis was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Yacabonis was removed from the 40-man roster May 30, and the right-hander has been dealing with a strained left quad since May 9. He'll report back to Triple-A and provide some pitching depth in the minors once he's healthy, but he won't be able to help the Mets without being placed back on the 40-man roster.

Soriano was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soriano has pitched well during his brief time in the majors this season, allowing three runs (two earned) over seven innings. He did some starting in the minors, so he could provide the bullpen with a little length.

Barnes was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left hip impingement, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Barnes was rocked for five runs while recording just one out during Thursday's loss to the Padres, but it appears he might have been pitching hurt. The veteran reliever will be replaced in the bullpen by George Soriano.

Underwood cleared waivers and accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Underwood was designated for assignment last Saturday. The right-hander has produced an inflated 5.18 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 14 punchouts over 24.1 innings in 20 appearances with the Pirates this season and will look to use his time with Indianapolis to reset after he allowed 10 earned runs over 10.2 innings in May.

Harvey gave up a hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a win over the Dodgers.

Kyle Finnegan entered the game in the seventh inning with the Nationals ahead 5-4 and blew the lead, but a three-run rally in the top of the eighth set Harvey up for the save. The former Oriole had a roller-coaster May, blowing four of his seven save chances with a 4.20 ERA in 15 innings, but he also picked up two wins and four holds with a 19:3 K:BB. Harvey figures to remain in the high-leverage mix with Finnegan even if he doesn't become Washington's full-time closer.

Solomon cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

He's no longer on the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Solomon has posted an ugly 12.15 ERA over five relief appearances at the major-league level this season.

The Mets have acquired Nittoli from the Cubs, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nittoli had opted out of his minor-league contract with the Cubs but got shipped to another organization before reaching free agency. He will be on the 40-man roster, but it's not clear whether the Mets intend to put him on the big-league roster or assign him to Triple-A Syracuse. Nittoli holds a 3.48 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 20.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level.