MLB Player News

Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Salazar will head to Louisville after he allowed six runs on 12 hits and three walks over 9.1 innings in six appearances with the Reds. Joel Kuhnel was called up Friday and will replace him on the major-league roster.

Kuhnel was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Kuhnel will return to the big leagues after he was sent down to Louisville on April 5. The right-hander has made one appearance with the Reds this season, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over two innings against the Cubs on April 4. He's struggled to a 7.13 ERA over 24 innings in Triple-A this year, so he'll likely operate exclusively in low-leverage situations with Cincinnati. Eduardo Salazar was sent down to Louisville in a corresponding move.

Iglesias (2-2) picked up the win in Thursday's 13-10 extra-inning victory over the Mets, striking out two in a perfect 10th inning.

Atlanta was down 10-7 after six frames but a late-inning comeback put the team's closer on the mound in the 10th, and the pitcher of record when Ozzie Albies launched a walk-off shot. Iglesias hasn't allowed an earned run since May 14, and since making his belated season debut the 33-year-old righty sports a 2.63 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 13.2 innings.

Strzelecki (3-5) blew the save and took the loss in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Orioles. He allowed three runs on three hits while striking out three over one inning.

He was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning but served up a two-run shot to Gunnar Henderson. Strzelecki hadn't allowed a run in six of his previous seven outings, and his ERA now stands at 4.40 despite a solid 1.12 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB in 28.2 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander has a team-leading and career-high 14 holds and should continue to operate as Milwaukee's primary setup option in front of Devin Williams.

Robertson was charged with a blown save Thursday against Atlanta, allowing one run on two hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 1.2 innings.

Robertson came on in the eighth inning after New York's lead had narrowed to one run. He recorded the final two outs of that frame on eight pitches, then returned to try to close out the contest in the ninth. He wasn't successful, as Orlando Arcia tagged him for a one-out solo homer to tie the score. This was just the second blown save of the season for Robertson in 12 opportunities, though it continued a recent decline in his performance. After giving up just two earned runs over his first 20 innings of the campaign, Robertson has surrendered four earned runs on 10 hits over 7.1 frames across his past six appearances.

Alexander (5-0) earned the win, pitching a perfect inning versus the Rockies on Thursday.

Alexander has racked up 9.1 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 10 appearances, and he's given up just two hits, a walk and one hit-by-pitch in that span. The southpaw's strong work has helped him move up the leverage ladder slightly, though the Giants have plenty of late-inning options that will generally keep him out of the conversation for saves. He has one save, six holds and two blown saves while posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 22.2 innings this season.

Hudson (knee) kicked off a rehab assignment with the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League team Tuesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Hudson tore the ACL in his left knee in June of last year and has been slowly working his way back to action. There was some hope during spring training that the reliever could return by the end of April, but his progress has been slower than anticipated. The Dodgers have the fourth-worst bullpen ERA in the majors this season, so they could certainly use Hudson's help, especially if he can come anywhere close to his 2022 performance, which included a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings. According to manager Dave Roberts, the veteran right-hander is still weeks away from a return, per MLB.com, but he could ascend to a high-leverage role relatively quickly upon his activation.

Boxberger (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger will head to the Cubs' spring training facility to throw his second bullpen session in the last week. It's unclear how much longer he'll need to ramp up before returning to game action, though he is expected to go on at least a brief rehab assignment before being activated.

Doval picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Doval has converted his last 12 save opportunities, improving to 16-for-17 on the season. He's allowed just two earned runs in that span (16.2 innings) while striking out 26. The 25-year-old Doval has been a top-tier closing option this season -- his ERA is down to 1.95 with a 0.94 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 27.2 innings.

Rockies manager Bud Black said after Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Giants that Johnson's status as the primary closer will be "addressed," Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Johnson was called into Thursday's game with the Rockies leading 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning and promptly gave up three earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording only two outs. He's blown two saves in the last week and his season ERA has risen to 7.50. Justin Lawrence, Jake Bird, Brent Suter and Brad Hand are among the other options at closer for Colorado. Daniel Bard could maybe even get another shot.