MLB Player News

Kranick will serve as the Pirates' 27th man for their doubleheader Saturday against Cincinnati, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mitch Keller will start the afternoon game, but the Pirates have yet to announce who will start the nightcap. That job now looks like it could go to Kranick, though it's also possible he'll be tasked with providing length out of the bullpen. He missed the start of the year while recovering from a right forearm strain and owns a 3.12 ERA through four minor-league appearances, none of which lasted longer than three innings.

Farmer was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

Farmer earned a spot on the Opening Day roster but will lose his place on the 40-man roster after posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 12 innings. The 31-year-old could head to Triple-A Louisville if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Garcia earned a hold Thursday against Miami, pitching a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit.

Starter Nick Martinez allowed only one run in seven frames, but the Padres held a narrow 2-1 lead when Garcia took over in the eighth. The right-hander allowed a two-out single to Jazz Chisholm and then saw Chisholm swipe second base, but Garcia retired Jesus Aguilar to end the threat and notch a hold. The reliever has allowed five runs over 8.2 innings this season, but only two of the runs have been earned. More promisingly, he has surrendered only five hits and posted a 6:0 K:BB.

Llovera struck out one in a perfect inning and did not factor in the decision in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

Llovera was tabbed as the opener for the contest, and he handled the assignment well. The 26-year-old has yet to work more than an inning in any of his four appearances this season, so he shouldn't be expected to be in the mix for wins if he opens more games later in the year. He has a 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB across four innings.

Norris will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old has given up four earned runs over six innings out of the bullpen this season, though he's allowed only five hits and has a strong 8:1 K:BB. The doubleheader is a result of a postponement Friday, and Norris will start a bullpen game in the nightcap while Drew Smyly (personal) starts the matinee.

Milner tossed a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's 10-5 victory over the Reds.

With the Brewers up five runs, Milner was called upon to finish Thursday's game, and he came through as expected. He resides near the bottom of the Brewers' bullpen pecking order but he has been sharp to kick off the 2022 campaign, posting a 2.08 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 8.2 innings over 10 appearances.

Underwood (hamstring) is scheduled to join Triple-A Indianapolis over the weekend to continue his rehab assignment, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Underwood has made two appearances with Single-A Bradenton, walking two with no strikeouts across 1.2 innings. He's been sidelined since Opening Day, so he's understandably showing some rust. He'll likely need a few more rehab appearances but is scheduled to be evaluated for a potential return Monday.

Chavez is starting Friday's game against the Brewers, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander's first eight appearances of the season have come as a reliever, and he's posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB in 12.2 innings. However, Chavez will draw the start in Friday's series opener against Milwaukee after Bryce Elder and Kyle Muller were recently demoted. Chavez made just four starts in 2021, so it's possible he moves back to the bullpen following Friday's outing.

Medina (1-0) picked up the win in Thursday's comeback victory over the Phillies, allowing one hit and striking out one over 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.

Facing the team that drafted him back in 2014, Medina entered the game with one out in the sixth inning and the Mets in a 7-1 hole, and the 25-year-old was rewarded for his efforts when New York rallied for an incredible seven runs in the top of the ninth. Medina has seen his prospect stock tumble in recent years in the Phillies' system, but he could be making a home for himself as a long reliever in the Mets' bullpen.

Littell (0-1) was tagged with the loss against St. Louis on Thursday, pitching two innings and allowing one run on two hits while striking out three.

Littell missed over a week while on the COVID-19 injured list, but he was activated Thursday and immediately thrust into action in a bullpen game for the Giants. The right-hander was the second pitcher to appear for San Francisco, and he was the only hurler on the team to complete two full innings. Littell looked good by throwing 26 of 36 pitches for strikes and fanning three, but a Yadier Molina solo homer in the third inning was enough to have him tagged with the loss. The run was the first allowed by Littell in seven appearances this season.