MLB Player News

Bolton recently underwent right knee surgery, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Bolton was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, and he's projected to return to full baseball activities in 4-6 months. The right-hander is viewed as one of Pittsburgh's top pitching prospects but could miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign following his surgery.

Double-A Altoona transferred Bolton (knee) from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander will likely be out until at least the middle of the summer while he recovers from a knee injury he sustained in a recent workout. Bolton is viewed as one of the Pirates' top pitching prospects.

Lawrence was returned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Lawrence served as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres but didn't make an appearance. He'll now head back to the minors going forward.

Weigel was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Weigel had been with the team since the start of May for his second stint on the big-league roster. In three total relief appearances, he's allowed two runs on four hits in four innings of work, striking out nine but also walking four. He's likely to continue bouncing between the majors and Triple-A depending on the team's needs but is unlikely to find his way into a high-leverage role. Josh Lindblom (knee) returned from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Davidson tossed seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out eight.

The southpaw has been fantastic through his first two outings this year, posting a 0.64 ERA and 14:3 K:BB through 14 innings. Davidson stumbled in his brief big-league debut last season, but if the 25-year-old keeps dealing at Triple-A, he should get another look in the Atlanta rotation before long.

Jackson (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one in the seventh inning as Atlanta fell 4-1 to the Blue Jays.

Entering the game with the score tied 1-1, Jackson's first pitch was launched over the center-field fence by Teoscar Hernandez. The right-hander has a strong 1.93 ERA through 14 innings to begin the season, but his 12:8 K:BB indicates he's been more lucky than good.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) has been assigned to Triple-A Memphis to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Ponce de Leon has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation for two weeks, but his rehab assignment signals that he's nearing his return to the major-league roster. Since Ponce de Leon has moved to the bullpen following his start in his season debut, he's unlikely to require much time to build up with Triple-A Memphis.

Garcia earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Garcia entered in the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He allowed a one-out single but escaped with the save after getting Eduardo Escobar to line into a game-ending double play. Garcia has now converted six of seven save opportunities while registering a 1.76 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Hand (2-2) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 5-2 to the Phillies in 10 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits over one inning while striking out three.

Called up to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Hand instead served up a solo shot to Odubel Herrera. Nats manager Dave Martinez elected to leave the lefty on the mound to begin the 10th with Bryce Harper due up for the Phillies, but after Harper singled, Hand got the hook and Kyle Finnegan allowed the inherited runner to score. While his 2.92 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.1 innings are solid, Hand has walked seven batters, blown his last two save chances and been tagged for runs in his last three appearances, putting his spot as Washington's closer in some jeopardy if he can't turn things around quickly.

Neris struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

It didn't look like Neris' services would be needed when the Phillies headed into the ninth inning down 2-1, but the team tied it up in the top of the frame before tacking on three more runs in the 10th to set up the save chance. Neris sports a 2.60 ERA and 21:7 K:BB through 17.1 innings while blowing two of his nine save opportunities so far this season.