MLB Player News

Diaz allowed two hits in a scoreless inning Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Rockies.

Diaz put runners on first and third with no outs but managed to lock in and finish off the 5-4 win. He's now converted all 19 of his save chances while registering a 1.80 ERA and a 52:13 K:BB through 30 innings. However, he's run into some light trouble recently, yielding two runs on four hits and two walks over his last 5.2 frames.

The Giants recalled Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

With the placement of Scott Alexander (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Monday, Hjelle will be called on to replace Alexander in the bullpen. The 26-year-old righty holds a 10.13 ERA and 2.33 WHIP through 13.1 innings in the majors this season, and he's been used exclusively out of the bullpen with the Giants despite serving as a starter in Triple-A.

The Giants placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left hamstring strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Alexander was pulled from Sunday's game against the Dodgers with discomfort in his left hamstring -- an issue that has bothered him quite a bit recently. The 33-year-old lefty will now be sidelined for at least 15 days while Sean Hjelle returns from Triple-A Sacramento to take Alexander's spot in the bullpen.

Herget was designated for assignment Monday.

The Reds needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Votto's return from the 60-day injured list. Herget, 32, holds a career 6.21 ERA over 16 relief appearances at the big-league level.

The Pirates designated Villalobos for assignment Monday.

Villalobos will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to catcher/outfielder Henry Davis, whom the Pirates called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. After being claimed off waivers from the Marlins in April, Villalobos pitched exclusively with Indianapolis, generating a 4.15 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 16 relief appearances.

Barnes (hip) has resumed playing catch, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Barnes has been out nearly all month with a left hip impingement but is slowly easing back into a throwing program. He'll likely need a rehab appearance or two before returning from the 15-day injured list.

The Mets selected Hartwig's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Hartwig has collected a 4.21 ERA and 35:15 K:BB over 25.2 innings this season at Syracuse. The 25-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. Hartwig is taking the roster spot vacated by John Curtiss.

Curtiss was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Cardinals.

Curtiss will head back to Syracuse after being called up June 10, appearing in two games, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four batters over 4.2 innings during his latest stint with New York. The 31-year-old has now produced a 4.08 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 11 punchouts over 17.2 frames in 13 appearances with the Mets in 2023. Replacing Curtiss on the active roster is Grant Hartwig, a right-handed reliever who had his contract selected from Triple-A on Monday.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Monday that Naughton (forearm) will undergo surgery June 26, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Marmol didn't specify whether Naughton would require Tommy John surgery or another kind of arm procedure, but the southpaw looks set to miss extended time in any case. Naughton has been on the shelf since April 8 with a strained left forearm and experienced a setback just three pitches into his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Memphis earlier this month.

Ridings (lat) remains on the Mets' 60-day injured list and moved his rehab assignment from Single-A St. Lucie to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com previously reported Thursday that Ridings was reinstated from the IL and optioned to Syracuse, but he'll instead remain off the Mets' 40-man roster for the time being while he continues his rehab program. The 27-year-old, who is working his way back from a lat strain, made three rehab appearances for St. Lucie before striking out the side in his lone inning of relief work Sunday in his Syracuse debut.