MLB Player News

The Marlins designated Armstrong for assignment Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Zach Pop was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville while Armstrong was removed from the 40-man roster entirely as the Marlins reduced their active roster from 28 to 26 men ahead of Monday's deadline. After winning a spot in the Marlins' Opening Day bullpen, Armstrong made seven appearances and was touched up for 10 runs (eight earned) on 10 hits and three walks across 6.2 innings.

The Marlins optioned Pop to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Pop was sent down to the minors and Shawn Armstrong was designated for assignment as the Marlins reduced their active roster from 28 to 26 players ahead of Monday's deadline. The right-hander's demotion comes just one day after he made his 2022 debut for the big club, as Pop gave up two earned runs on three hits in an inning of relief in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.

Floro (shoulder) gave up a hit and struck out one in one-third of an inning for Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

After tossing a scoreless inning for the Jumbo Shrimp on Saturday, being able to pitch on back-to-back days was likely the final hurdle for Floro to clear on his rehab assignment. Expect the right-hander to rejoin the Marlins' bullpen in the next day or two ahead of his season debut, although in his absence, Anthony Bender may have tightened his hold on the closer job by reeling off four straight saves over the last week.

VerHagen (hip) has been sent to Triple-A Memphis to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

VerHagen is expected to make a two-inning appearance for Memphis on Tuesday, putting him one step closer to returning from the 10-day injured list. The 31-year-old was placed on the IL on April 22 with a right hip impingement, but his time away from the team should be relatively minimal. He has posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.93 WHIP with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings this season.

Naughton was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Naughton was an odd man out with roster sizes dropping from 28 to 26 on Monday, leading to his return to Triple-A Memphis. After being called up April 22, the left-hander appeared in one contest, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings and only surrendering one hit. It's likely he will return to the Cardinals at some point this season.

Kimbrel saved Sunday's 6-3 win over Detroit, walking one while preventing any runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Kimbrel came into the game with one out and a runner on second to protect a three-run lead and got the final two outs without letting any more runs cross the plate. Though he's made only six appearances, Kimbrel has been clutch with four saves while allowing just one run in 5.2 innings.

Helsley struck out four batters in two perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Helsley was efficient, throwing 14 of 18 pitches for strikes. It was a little intriguing that manager Oli Marmol stuck with Helsley for a second inning even though Giovanny Gallegos hasn't pitched since a four-run meltdown for a blown save April 25. For his part, Helsley has allowed just one hit while piling up 16 strikeouts in 8.1 innings in a high-leverage role. The hard-throwing right-hander has also logged three holds in addition to the save he earned Sunday.

Hicks allowed two runs on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Sunday. He also hit a batter.

Both of the hits Hicks allowed left the yard, as he surrendered solo home runs to Jordan Luplow and Christian Walker. The good news is Hicks showed no ill effects from a bruised wrist that took him out of his last start prematurely. The right-hander stretched out to 63 pitches (35 strikes) in this start, his longest of three this season. Through 12.1 innings, he's logged a 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 13:8 K:BB and a 1-2 record. He's projected to make his next start on the road in San Francisco.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Marte posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in six innings over his first six relief appearances of the season, but he gave up five runs in 1.2 innings over his last two outings. The right-hander will try to sort things out in Sacramento, where he has a 4.76 ERA and 0.58 WHIP in 5.2 innings over four appearances this year.

Avila was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Avila was called up by San Diego on April 13, but he made just two relief appearances during his time with the major-league club. The 25-year-old allowed two runs in four innings, and he should see more consistent work in El Paso following Sunday's demotion.