MLB Player News

Hicks made his first ninth-inning appearance of the season in Friday's win over the Reds, allowing three earned runs on one hit and two walks over one-third of an inning.

The hard-throwing right-hander got only six of 16 pitches into the strike zone and laid the foundation for a save chance for Alex Reyes with his performance. The opportunity to work the ninth inning -- albeit in what was a non-save scenario going in -- was presumably manager Mike Shildt's way of inching Hicks toward eventually returning to a full-time closer's role, but in that regard, the attempt was far from successful. Hicks has notably had some issues with control in recent appearances, now having issued multiple walks in three of his last four trips to the mound.

Smith (shoulder) will throw in an intrasquad game at the Mets' alternate training site Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, and his appearance in the intrasquad game could be one of his final hurdles before he's cleared to return to make his season debut. The right-hander posted a 6.43 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in seven innings across eight relief appearances last year.

Bickford was recalled from the Brewers' alternate training site Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Bickford was sent down by Milwaukee in mid-March, but he'll now join the major-league roster after Brett Anderson (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Bickford will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever for the Brewers going forward.

Cimber was charged with three runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning during Friday's loss to the Giants.

After getting the final out of the sixth inning, Cimber returned for the seventh and ran into immediate trouble, giving up one run himself and then watching as Richard Bleier allowed two more inherited runners to score. Cimber has not been sharp to begin 2021, posting a 5.40 ERA and 5:5 K:BB through 8.1 innings, and he has yet to record a hold, save or decision in nine appearances.

Pop is still trying to become consistent with a new delivery after streamlining his mechanics during spring training, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. "I got rid of my high leg kick that I had in spring training, so I was trying to find a suitable delivery kind of being quicker to the plate," Pop said earlier this week. "I got some inconsistency problems early on, so we're just trying to fix that and trying to be more consistent moving forward with the delivery. Once that's the same, it'll be easier to make pitches and [have] less missed spots."

The Rule 5 pick has had a rough start to his big-league career, posting a 9.95 ERA through his first 6.1 innings thanks to two homers, but Pop may have turned a corner recently as he struck out five batters over three perfect innings in his last two appearances. It will take a longer stretch of success before Marlins manager Don Mattingly begins considering him for high-leverage work, however.

Jackson gave up a run on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning Friday but still recorded his second hold of the season in a win over the Diamondbacks.

Entering the game to protect a 4-2 lead in the seventh inning, Jackson put the first two runners aboard but would have escaped without any damage if the Atlanta defense had been able to turn a double play on an Eduardo Escobar grounder to Freddie Freeman. Instead it went as a fielder's choice, and Jackson got the hook after a Josh Rojas double. The run was the first the right-hander has given up this season, and he sports a 1.29 ERA through seven innings, albeit with a less appealing 6:7 K:BB.

Alzolay was recalled by the Cubs ahead of his scheduled start against the Brewers on Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay had been at the Cubs' alternate training site since April 14, but he'll make his third start of the season Saturday. The right-hander will be starting on normal rest since he pitched in a simulated game at the alternate training site Sunday. Alzolay posted a 6.10 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 10.1 innings across his first two outings of the year.

Smith struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his fourth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

The veteran lefty hasn't exactly been untouchable to begin the season, getting charged with runs in four of his 10 appearances so far, but Smith has yet to blow a save and his 14:6 K:BB through nine innings is more encouraging than his 4.00 ERA. As long as he continues to get the job done though, the 31-year-old isn't likely to be challenged for his closing role.

Reyes earned the save against Cincinnati on Friday, striking out two and walking two over two-thirds of an inning.

Reyes was far from sharp in the outing, throwing only 10 of 23 pitches for strikes and walking a pair. He allowed a pair of inherited runners to score -- one on a bases-loaded walk and the other on a wild pitch. However, the right-hander did enough to extend his season-opening scoreless streak to 8.1 innings while picking up his fourth save. Reyes has treaded in dangerous waters with an 8:8 K:BB, but he has all four of the Cardinals' saves this season and looks to be locked into the closer role for the time being.

Morejon (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Morejon's placement on the 60-day injured list is simply procedural since he underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday. The left-hander will miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign and will likely be sidelined for a sizable portion of the 2022 season while he recovers.