MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Wilson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that Wilson will continue starting as he heads to Indianapolis, after the 24-year-old right-hander had worked as both a traditional starter and primary pitcher out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh this season. Wilson found little success in either capacity, as he submitted a 7.53 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 28.2 innings before getting demoted. The Pirates called up Roansy Contreras from Triple-A in a corresponding move and could insert him in the rotation as a replacement for Wilson.

Norris (Achilles) made back-to-back relief appearances Friday and Saturday in losses to the Diamondbacks, covering 1.2 innings between the outings while allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks.

Heading into the weekend, Norris was considered day-to-day with a right Achilles soreness, but the appearances on consecutive days imply that he's back to full strength as the Cubs prepare for a six-game week. The 29-year-old lefty has served mostly as a low-leverage reliever for Chicago this season, posting a 5.68 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB in 12.2 innings.

The Rockies placed Stephenson on the COVID-19-related injured list Monday.

He finds himself on the COVID-19 for the second time this season, after previously missing just under two weeks in April following a positive test for the virus. Since he was cleared to make his season debut April 20, Stephenson has posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 10.1 innings out of the Colorado bullpen.

Lee was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

The reliever will join the big-league club for the second time this season after failing to enter a game during his first stint in April. Lee has pitched 14.1 innings with a 2.51 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while striking out 23 batters over 13 appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett this season. To make space on the active roster, Tyler Thornburg was designated for assignment Monday.

Kuhnel was reinstated from the restricted list Monday.

Kuhnel was prevented from travelling to Canada for the Reds' last series versus the Blue Jays since he is unvaccinated, but he'll return to the team ahead of their four-game series against the Cubs. The reliever has pitched three innings this season, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four.

The Cardinals optioned Rondon to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Rondon's demotion comes one day after he was called up from Memphis to provide St. Louis with a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale with the Pirates. The 24-year-old right-hander ended up seeing more usage than expected in the Cardinals' 18-4 win, as he was needed in long relief after starter Steven Matz lasted just four pitches before checking out of the contest due to a shoulder injury. Rondon proceeded to strike out four while blanking the Pirates over five innings en route to collecting his first career MLB win. Matz is set to undergo an MRI on Monday and could wind up on the injured list, but at least for the short term, the Cardinals decided that Rondon's spot on the active roster was better used for another player. Even if Matz's shoulder issue results in an IL stint, the Cardinals won't need to replace him in the rotation until May 30, at which point Rondon or Matthew Liberatore could be called up from Triple-A if needed to fill in as St. Louis' fifth starter.

Lambert (forearm) threw two scoreless innings Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk in a rehab outing with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Lambert has made two appearances with Albuquerque, combining to throw three innings. He was sidelined while recovering from Tommy John surgery for much of 2021 but did return to throw 5.2 frames. However, Lambert has been on the injured list early in 2022 with forearm inflammation, and once activated he should either fill a bullpen role in Colorado or remain a starter at Albuquerque.

Rodriguez retired the only batter he faced on one pitch Sunday, recording his fifth hold of the season in a win over the Rockies.

With two outs and two on in the eighth inning and the Mets nursing a 2-0 lead, Rodriguez was brought in to face Ryan McMahon and got him to line out to third base. Three of the lefty's last five appearances have lasted less than one inning, but his 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 14 innings on the year give him some deep-league fantasy value in formats that score holds.

Wilson (0-3) allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in 1.2 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals' offense combined to score 18 runs during Sunday's blowout loss, and Wilson was charged with his third loss in his last four starts. He's given up at least three earned runs in each of his last three outings, but Sunday's start was his worst of the year. Since the start of May, the right-hander has posted a 10.80 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 13.1 innings over four appearances (two starts). Wilson isn't guaranteed to keep his spot in the starting rotation, particularly since the Pirates recalled Roansy Contreras following Sunday's game.

Rondon (1-0) allowed a hit and three walks while striking out four in five scoreless innings to earn the win in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Rondon was called up by the Cardinals prior to Sunday's game, and he was effective as a long reliever after starter Steven Matz (shoulder) was removed after throwing just four pitches. Rondon threw 86 pitches and picked up his first major-league win while holding the Pirates scoreless. Matz will receive an MRI to determine the extent of his injury, but Rondon will be a candidate to fill a rotation role if Matz requires a trip to the injured list.