MLB Player News

Mears (elbow) moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 7 and has made five appearances for the affiliate, covering 4.1 innings while giving up three earned runs on three hits and three walks and striking out six.

Mears opened his 30-day rehab window at Single-A Bradenton on May 25, so the Pirates will either have to pull him off the assignment or activate him from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week. Since the Pirates may not have a spot available for him in the big leagues once he's formally reinstated, Mears could end up being optioned to Indianapolis.

Castano is listed as the Marlins' scheduled starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Rockies in Miami.

With Jesus Luzardo (forearm), Cody Poteet (elbow) and Edward Cabrera (elbow) all stuck on the injured list, Castano will be awarded a second straight turn in the rotation. The 27-year-old lefty impressed last week against the Phillies in his first start of the season at the MLB level, covering 6.2 scoreless innings while scattering five hits and two walks. He'll line up for two starts this week, with his second turn set to come Sunday at home against the Mets.

Kilian is listed as the Cubs' starting pitcher for Monday's game in Pittsburgh.

Even though the rookie has been roughed up for eight earned runs while issuing seven walks in nine innings between his first two big-league starts, manager David Ross intimated after Kilian's most recent outing June 15 against the Padres that the right-hander would be part of the rotation moving forward. Whether Kilian sticks around as a starter once the likes of Marcus Stroman (shoulder), Wade Miley (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (oblique) return from the 15-day injured list is still undetermined, but the 25-year-old should get at least two more starts to prove he belongs in the big leagues.

Garcia struck out one across two perfect innings in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Pirates.

Garcia has been used sparingly among his struggles in June, as he had allowed six runs (five earned) in his three previous appearances this month. He was much more efficient Sunday, throwing 12 of 17 pitches for strikes. The southpaw trimmed his ERA back down to 1.99 with a 0.88 WHIP and a 16:7 K:BB across 22.2 innings while adding a 1-2 record, two holds and a blown save. He sees mainly mid-leverage opportunities, though they have yet to lead to many holds or saves, as Camilo Doval and Jake McGee remain atop the Giants' bullpen hierarchy.

Rogers (0-3) took the loss Sunday versus the Pirates. He allowed a run on one hit without recording an out.

Rogers allowed Jack Suwinski's third home run of the game, a walkoff blast in the bottom of the ninth inning. Consistency has been an issue for Rogers, who has yet to go more than four appearances in a row without allowing a run this season. He has a 5.34 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB in 30.1 innings, though he's also logged 10 holds in a setup role.

Williams earned the save in Sunday's win in Cincinnati, retiring the side in order in the ninth while striking out two.

All nine pitches Williams threw went for strikes, and the only thing that kept him from an immaculate inning was a softly hit grounder by Albert Almora. With Josh Hader on the paternity list, Williams was given the chance to record his first save since May 25. Over his last 15 outings, he has been very impressive, allowing no runs on five hits in 15 innings while posting a 24:3 K:BB.

Betances (shoulder) started a rehab assignment with the Dodgers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate June 7 and has given up three earned runs on six hits and zero walks while striking out seven across 3.2 innings spanning four appearances.

Since his 2021 campaign with the Mets came to an end late in June after he underwent surgery on his right shoulder, Betances is expected to require an extensive ramp-up period in the lower rungs of the minors before he eventually settles in as a member of Triple-A Oklahoma City's bullpen. Once he's with Oklahoma City, Betances will look to prove that he still has something left in the tank after injuries limited him to just 13.1 total innings at the big-league level across the past three seasons.

Pallante (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Boston.

Pallante served up a solo home run to Trevor Story in the second inning followed by an RBI single from Jackie Bradley in the fifth. He's given up four runs over eight innings in his last two outings, raising his season ERA from 1.04 to 1.69 in the process. Pallante is projected to make his fourth start of the year next week at home against the Cubs.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Smith spent a week with the major-league club but will head back to the minors since the Rockies need to trim down to 13 pitchers by Monday. He made just one relief appearance during his stint in Colorado and allowed a run on a hit and two walks while striking out one in 1.1 innings.

Bednar (3-1) allowed a run on one hit and a walk over two innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Giants. He also blew a save chance.

Bednar was called upon to attempt another multi-inning save but coughed up a game-tying home run to Thairo Estrada in the ninth frame. Jack Suwinski later drilled a walkoff shot, giving Bednar the victory. Despite the slight hiccup, the 27-year-old righty still owns a strong 1.34 ERA with a 46:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings.