MLB Player News

Romero averaged 95.3 mph during a scoreless appearance Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader versus the Mets, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Romero was called upon in the eighth inning with two runners on, the Cardinals clinging to a one-run lead and Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo due up. After walking Soto to load the bases, Romero struck out Alonso looking and then got Nimmo to fly out to end the frame. The left-hander has spent extra time in the weight room recently in hopes of regaining some velocity and swing-and-miss, and he's now turned in three straight scoreless appearances while striking out three of nine batters faced.

Johnson struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a win over the Dodgers.

The right-hander was expected to be one of Atlanta's top setup men this season, but a bumpy beginning to 2025 moved him down the bullpen hierarchy -- Johnson entered the game in the sixth inning Sunday. He appears to have turned things around however, delivering six straight scoreless appearances with a win, two holds and a 7:0 K:BB.

The Mets optioned Warren to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Warren served as the 27th man during Sunday's doubleheader in St. Louis, tossing a scoreless inning in the first game of the twin bill. He will rejoin the bullpen at Syracuse, where he's posted a 4.35 ERA and 14:9 K:BB across 10.1 innings in 2025.

The Cardinals optioned Munoz to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Munoz was the designated 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets but did not appear in either contest. He has permitted four runs with a 6:2 K:BB over 4.2 frames during his time with the big club this season.

Casparius is slated to either start of serve as a bulk reliever in Monday's game against the Marlins in Miami, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

MLB.com officially lists Casparius as the Dodgers' probable starting pitcher for Monday, though it's possible manager Dave Roberts makes a late change and deploys an opener in front of the right-hander. Either way, Casparius is poised to handle the bulk of the innings for the Dodgers on Monday and could be in store for multiple turns through the rotation while Los Angeles waits for the likes of Clayton Kershaw (toe), Blake Snell (shoulder), Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow (shoulder) to complete their throwing progressions. Kershaw is in the midst of a rehab assignment and is the closest to being ready to start for the big club, but Casparius might stick around as a member of a six-man rotation even after Kershaw returns. Including a brutal outing April 12 against the Cubs in which he surrendered six earned runs over 1.2 innings, Casparius has been stellar over his 11 appearances (one start) on the season, logging a 2.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB in 21.2 innings. He got stretched out to 3.2 innings and 54 pitches in his last relief outing April 27 against the Pirates, so Casparius could be capable of giving the Dodgers five innings Monday if he's economical with his pitch count.

Iglesias allowed a hit and struck out three in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Iglesias has strung together three scoreless outings for the first time this season, adding six strikeouts in that span. The veteran closer had some struggles in April, but he appears to be getting on track now. Those issues are reflected in his 4.85 ERA, but he's added a 1.00 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB while converting six of eight save attempts over 13 innings this season.

Helsley allowed a hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in a 6-5 win over the Mets in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

The Mets pulled within a run in the eighth inning, but Helsley made sure their comeback fell short in the ninth. He had allowed three runs over his last two innings, including a blown save in his outing versus the Brewers on April 26. Helsley hasn't been at his best to begin 2025, pitching to a 3.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB while converting five of seven save chances this season. He was 49-for-53 in save chances in 2024, but for now, he is not being challenged for the closer role.

The Giants designated Trivino for assignment Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The reliever lost his spot on the 40-man roster after delivering a 6.35 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings in 10 appearances with the Giants this season. If he goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll either report to Triple-A Sacramento or elect to become a free agent. In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled right-hander Kyle Harrison from Sacramento.

Cox and Atlanta agreed on a major-league contract Sunday and was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Cox was released by the Royals on Sunday, but he quickly found a new home with Atlanta. The left-hander produced a 3.55 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 12.2 innings in 11 relief appearances with Triple-A Omaha this season. Cox last pitched in the big leagues in 2023, compiling a 4.54 ERA while striking out 33 batters over 35.2 innings in 24 appearances with Kansas City.

Nelson will start Monday's game against the Mets in Arizona, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Nelson will get a turn in the rotation after the Diamondbacks decided to have Corbin Burnes (shoulder) skip a start while dealing with right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander made 25 starts for Arizona in 2024 but has worked exclusively out of the bullpen so far this season, logging a 5.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over 17 innings in seven appearances. He got stretched out to four innings and tossed a season-high 68 pitches in his most recent relief outing ,ast Tuesday, so Nelson should be able to handle something close to a typical starter's workload Monday.