MLB Player News

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Melancon is having issues commanding his cutter, but he'll remain the team's closer following Wednesday's 11-3 loss to Miami, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. Melancon (0-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on three hits and one walk over two-thirds of the ninth inning.

The Diamondbacks had just tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to a Jordan Luplow two-run, pinch hit home run, but Melancon was ineffective in the ninth. It was the second time in three outings that Arizona's closer ceded four runs to an opponent. "I just think he's not commanding his cutter as good as we've seen him or as good as he expects," Lovullo said. "And it's putting him in a situation where he's maybe got to back off a bit and put it a little bit more in the middle of the plate. He's close, he's very close, but it all comes down to command with him." Melancon's ERA soared to 6.75 along with a 1.97 WHIP over 10.2 innings. Only four of his 32 outs are due to a strikeout, and Melancon sports an 8.7 K%.

Underwood (hamstring) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday.

Underwood also threw two scoreless innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on May 7, but his rehab assignment was transferred to Altoona given the geographic proximity to Pittsburgh. In total, he's thrown 4.2 innings while working back from the hamstring issue and will likely be activated from the injured list in the coming days. Underwood figures to occupy a high-leverage role in the Pirates' bullpen, but he won't be in the mix for saves without a number of injuries ahead of him.

Kranick allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one across three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Kranick followed Dillon Peters in a piggyback appearance, and he's now turned in five scoreless innings to begin his season. Kranick got a delayed start to the campaign after landing on the injured list with a forearm issue and has shuffled between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis since being activated. Kranick was in the big-league rotation for part of the 2021 season, so it's reasonable to expect he may get the chance to start at some point in the coming months.

Peters allowed two hits and struck out two across three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Peters served as the opener and rebounded from the four-run drubbing he received in his last outing. He served as an opener for the third time this season, and he's turned in 8.1 scoreless innings in the role. Peters has a strong 1.83 ERA across 19.2 frames to begin the campaign, though his 15:9 K:BB provides a less optimistic outlook for his future results.

Bednar did not allow a baserunner and struck out three across two innings to earn the save Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Chris Stratton and Wil Crowe combined to get through the seventh inning, so Bednar entered in the eighth frame. Even with his extended appearance, Bednar needed only 21 pitches to retire six batters and record his fifth save. Bednar appeared to be in line to share the closer role with Stratton, though he has now recorded each of the Pirates' last four saves. His performance this season indicates he's capable of holding the role, as he has a 1.15 ERA and 24:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings.

Martinez tossed four innings, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in the loss to the Cubs on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Martinez surrendered a solo homer to Willson Contreras in the first inning before giving up four more runs in fourth frame. After allowing two or less runs in his last three starts, Martinez allowed a season-high five runs Wednesday. On a positive note, the eight punchouts were his highest total of 2022. Martinez now holds a 4.40 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 30 strikeouts over 30.2 innings in six starts this season.

Thompson pitched four innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one in Wednesday's win over the Padres. He did not factor into the decision.

Thompson was called upon to make his first start of the season Wednesday, surrendering one run in the first inning and then another one on an Eric Hosmer solo homer in the second frame. The 27-year-old has now allowed five runs over his last four appearances after tossing 13.2 scoreless innings to open the season. Thompson will likely return to his typical bullpen role following the start, and he now holds a 1.67 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 22 strikeouts over 27 innings in 2022.

Harvey (forearm) hasn't yet been cleared to resume throwing, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Harvey has been participating in workouts since late April, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to throw. The right-hander has been on the injured list since April 21, so he'll likely need some time to ramp up his intensity once he's ultimately cleared for throwing sessions.

Suarez earned a hold Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing one hit and striking out two in one scoreless inning.

Suarez came on in the seventh inning with the Padres up by two runs. He gave up a two-out single but otherwise had no problem getting through the frame. The right-hander entered the season as the Padres' projected closer before the team traded for Taylor Rogers. Suarez had a rough first outing, giving up three earned runs without notching an out, but since then he has posted a 1.80 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB across 15 innings.

The Cubs recalled Leiter from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Leiter, who posted a 7.84 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 10.1 innings over four appearances (three starts) during a two-week stint with the big club in April, will be rejoining the Cubs as a reliever ahead of Wednesday's series finale in San Diego. Keegan Thompson is scheduled to start Wednesday, but since he hasn't worked more than four innings in any of his appearances this season and is pitching on three days' rest, Leiter could be needed to cover multiple innings behind him.