MLB Player News

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.

Miller (3-0) blew the save but collected the win in Sunday's 11-9 extra-inning victory over the Phillies. He allowed two runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts over an inning.

After opening the ninth inning with two straight punchouts, Miller then allowed a 408-foot solo shot to Kyle Schwarber, opening the floodgates. The Phillies then cracked three consecutive singles to score the tying run before Miller induced a Bryson Stott groundout to escape the frame. The Arizona right-hander was the favorite for the closer's role due to Justin Martinez (shoulder) and A.J. Puk (elbow) being on the injured list, but he won't have a long leash considering the Diamondbacks have a talented bullpen with Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and Jalen Beeks as alternate saves options. Through 14.2 innings, Miller sports a 1.23 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB.

Beeks picked up the save in Sunday's 11-9 extra-inning win at Philadelphia, allowing one unearned run on two hits and no walks with no strikeouts over one inning.

After Shelby Miller coughed up a two-run lead in the ninth, Beeks was called upon in the 10th inning and bagged his first save since Sept. 11, 2024. The Arizona southpaw allowed the automatic runner to score but secured the victory on 20 total pitches. With Justin Martinez (shoulder) and A.J. Puk (elbow) on the injured list, Miller had looked like the presumptive closer; however, given Beeks' steady performance over 18.2 innings with a 1.93 ERA and 17:6 K:BB, he may garner additional save opportunities.

The Mets recalled Nunez from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

New York optioned righty Blade Tidwell -- who started in the Mets' 6-5 loss in Game 1 -- to Triple-A to make room on the roster for Nunez, who will be making his 2025 MLB debut if/when he gets into a game. Since the Mets are designating Austin Warren as their 27th man for the doubleheader, Nunez appears likely to stick around in the majors once the twin bill concludes. The 28-year-old righty impressed as a rookie out of the New York bullpen in 2024 with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB in 35 innings, but he didn't pitch after August due to a flexor strain. The injury delayed him in spring training and resulted in him missing out on a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, but he's looked sharper over his last four appearances with Syracuse, giving up two runs (one earned) while striking out five and walking one over 4.1 innings.

McGough was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up by Arizona a week ago and will return to Triple-A after firing two scoreless frames in Saturday's contest. McGough struggled to a 7.44 ERA in 26 big-league appearances last season and will likely be limited to middle relief if he rejoins the Diamondbacks later this year.

The Pirates optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

He's the odd man out of the bullpen with Dennis Santana (personal) getting reinstated from the bereavement list. Since being called up from Indianapolis on April 11, Nicolas had submitted a 10.57 ERA, 2.35 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB over 7.2 innings while working in lower-leverage situations.

The Pirates reinstated Santana (personal) from the bereavement list Sunday.

Pittsburgh optioned right-hander Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear room on the 26-man roster for Santana, who had been away from the team since Tuesday while tending to a personal matter. David Bednar scooped up a save Wednesday, but he took a loss in a non-save situation Saturday, leaving the team's closing picture murky. Prior to going on bereavement leave, Santana had gone 3-for-3 in save chances while posting a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 12.1 innings.

The Padres optioned Morgan to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

He'll head back to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Stephen Kolek, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates. Morgan didn't get the chance to make his MLB debut out of the San Diego bullpen after receiving his first big-league call-up from Double-A San Antonio last Sunday.

The Cardinals recalled Munoz from Triple-A Memphis ahead of Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets.

St. Louis optioned Munoz to Memphis on Saturday, but he's eligible to rejoin the club just one day later since he's being designated as the 27th man for the twin bill. Munoz will be available out of the bullpen before heading back to Triple-A.