MLB Player News

Smith (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith has been on the 10-day injured list since the start of the regular season but seems to be trending toward a return. The right-hander made eight relief appearances for the Mets last year and posted a 6.43 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in seven innings.

The Phillies recalled Howard from their alternate training site Wednesday.

Philadelphia currently has an opening in the rotation with Matt Moore on the COVID-19 injured list, but Howard, the organization's top pitching prospect, will likely work in long relief while he's up with the big club. Vince Velasquez will be called upon to make a spot start in place of Moore on Friday in Colorado, and Howard could be an option to eat innings behind Velasquez if he isn't needed out of the bullpen in Wednesday's series finale against the Giants.

Beede (elbow) will throw a bullpen session with all his pitches Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beede has ben rehabbing at the Giants' alternate training site to begin the season and appears to be progressing well. The right-hander could appear in a rehab game in the near future if he remains on the right track. Beede could be ready to return to game action at some point in May or June, but it's not yet clear whether he'll build up as a starter or whether he'll be used as a reliever.

Brogdon (3-1) was dealt the loss and a blown save Tuesday against the Giants, allowing six runs on five hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning.

Brogdon entered Tuesday having pitched 6.2 scoreless innings to open the season but completely fell apart after being tasked with preserving a two-run lead, allowing a pair of three-run home runs in the eighth inning. Brogdon's unexpected collapse caused his ERA to balloon to 7.36.

Hand allowed a one-out double in the ninth but was still able to come down with his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Hand had no easy task, preserving a one-run lead in the ninth with the heart of the Cardinals' order due up. He surrendered a double to Yadier Molina but got all three other hitters he faced to fly out. The 31-year-old southpaw has been stellar to kick off the season with five scoreless innings and a 4:1 K:BB.

Hudson (2-0) pitched a clean eighth inning while striking out a batter in a 3-2 win over the Cardinals.

Hudson pitched an easy 1-2-3 eighth inning, getting the first two hitters out on contact before striking out Paul Goldschmidt to end the frame. The Nationals were able to mount a comeback in the bottom half of the inning, which earned him his second win of the year. Hudson has allowed one run through five innings pitched and sports a respectable 7:2 K:BB as the team's main setup man.

Gallegos (2-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Nationals after allowing two runs on one hit, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Gallegos opened the eighth inning with a one-run lead to protect, but he was unable to do so. The 29-year-old right-hander found himself in immediate trouble by walking the leadoff batter and then hitting Josh Harrison before surrendering an RBI single to Trea Turner that tied up the game. Gallegos wound up facing a bases-loaded, two outs scenario and completely flopped, as he walked in the go-ahead run on four straight balls and was taken out afterward. After opening up the season with five shutout innings, Gallegos has allowed four runs in his last four appearances, which has inflated his ERA to 3.72.

Jansen earned the save Tuesday against the Mariners, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

The veteran right-hander made quick work of the top of Seattle's lineup, retiring the side in order while delivering eight of 10 pitches for strikes. Jansen is 4-for-5 in save chances and has allowed two runs on two hits with a 10:6 K:BB through eight innings this season.

Chafin allowed one hit across 1.1 scoreless innings to record a hold in Tuesday's win over the Mets.

Chafin retired Brandon Nimmo to end the seventh inning, then worked through a clean eighth to hand the game over to closer Craig Kimbrel. Chafin now has a 3.86 ERA and three holds across seven innings this season, and the lefty should continue to operate in a prominent role ahead of Kimbrel in the Cubs' bullpen.

Matzek (0-2) was tagged with the loss Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to the Yankees, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out.

The southpaw entered the game to begin the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1 and promptly loaded the bases, then had to watch as Nate Jones uncorked a wild pitch to bring around an inherited runner and issued a bases-loaded walk to tack another run onto Matzek's ledger. The runs were the first Matzek has allowed this season, and he still sports a 2.35 ERA and 14:5 K:BB through 7.2 innings with three holds in nine appearances.