MLB Player News

Finnegan (1-1) earned the win Thursday against the Cubs after he allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Finnegan entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3 and gave up a walk and a double to Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, respectively, to start the frame, but the righty retired the next three batters to preserve the tie. Alex Call then led off the bottom of the frame with a walkoff home run. Finnegan pitched each of the past three days -- notching two saves in addition to Thursday's win -- so he may not be available for Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks. Carl Edwards and Mason Thompson are likely the next men up should a save chance arise Friday, since Hunter Harvey also pitched the past three days.

Boxberger (0-1) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Nationals after he gave up a walkoff home run to the first batter he faced.

The veteran right-hander entered for the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3, and Alex Call took him deep on the first pitch to end the game. It's just the third time in 13 outings that Boxberger has been scored upon, and he has a 4.09 ERA and a 9:6 K:BB in 11 frames. He's tallied just two saves but should still have a clear leg up on Michael Fulmer for closing duties.

Lambert was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Albuquerque.

He will replace Dinelson Lamet (back) in the Rockies' bullpen ahead of Thursday's series finale against the visiting Brewers. Lambert spent some time in the majors last month but did not make an appearance.

Lamet was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with lower-back stiffness.

Lamet has been hammered for 16 runs -- 15 earned -- on 14 hits and 12 walks through 10.2 innings of relief this season with the Rockies. He'll likely head on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to try to get into a better groove.

Banda cleared waivers and was outrighted Thursday to Triple-A Rochester, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Banda was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Sunday after allowing five earned runs on nine hits and five walks through seven innings of relief to begin the 2023 season. The 29-year-old will remain part of the organization for now but is no longer on the 40-man roster.

Smeltzer was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It is the second DFA in less than a week for Smeltzer, who's surrendered 14 runs -- 12 earned -- in 15.2 innings this season at the major-league level. He passed through waivers unclaimed last time around.

Gallegos (1-1) allowed three runs on four hits in the ninth inning Wednesday versus the Angels, taking the loss and a blown save.

Regular closer Ryan Helsley was called on to get the last out of the seventh inning and also pitched the eighth. That left Gallegos with a one-run lead to protect in the ninth, and he couldn't get the job done. He allowed solo home runs to Jake Lamb and Mike Trout, and Anthony Rendon added an RBI single. After opening the season with eight scoreless outings, Gallegos has given up four runs over his last two appearances. He's now at a 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB across 10 innings with a save and two holds.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Wednesday that Strahm will move into the bullpen when Ranger Suarez (elbow) is likely activated from the 15-day injured list next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Even though Strahm (3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 37:8 K:BB in 26.2 innings) has handily outperformed rotation mates Bailey Falter and Taijuan Walker this season, the Phillies aren't keen on having the southpaw serve as a full-time starter after he hadn't pitched more than 50 innings in any of the last three years while working almost exclusively as a reliever. Strahm could still be an option for spot starts down the road, but swapping him out of the rotation for Suarez will at least allow the Phillies to better manage the former's workload. With Jose Alvarado excelling as the Phillies' preferred option at closer for the time being, Strahm doesn't look as though he'll be in the mix for saves upon moving to the bullpen, so his fantasy value looks primed to take a major hit now that he's no longer starting. After having made his most recent start Tuesday, Strahm should be available out of the bullpen as soon as Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Naughton (forearm) played catch Thursday from around 90 feet, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Naughton's throwing program is underway about four weeks after he landed on the injured list because of a left forearm strain. He could return to the Cardinals' bullpen in late May if all goes well from this point forward.

Bard allowed one hit and no runs across two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the Brewers.

The veteran right-hander has made five appearances since returning from the injured list April 19. He has yet to allow an earned run across five frames, though he also has just a 3:2 K:BB. Most importantly, Bard has pitched primarily in low-leverage situations and does not appear to be a contender for saves at this point. Pierce Johnson leads the team with four saves, with just one of those coming since Bard returned from the IL.