MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hollowell has permitted only two runs with a 15:6 K:BB over his first eight innings at Iowa. He'll give manager Craig Counsell a fresh bullpen arm.

The Cubs designated Martin for assignment Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Martin pitched well initially after being added to the Cubs' roster last month, but he was scored upon in each of his last three appearances. Gavin Hollowell will absorb his spot in the bullpen.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that Fairbanks (hand) threw a "very encouraging" 13-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Jeremy Tache of Marlins.tv reports.

Fairbanks was able to get back on the mound for the first time since Miami placed him on the 15-day injured list April 28 due to nerve irritation in his right hand. Though Fairbanks had a similar occurrence of nerve irritation back in the 2024 season with the Rays and ended up missing about three weeks, the Marlins are hopeful that the veteran reliever will be ready to return from the shelf in close to the minimum 15 days. Fairbanks' ability to complete a side session is a promising step toward meeting that goal, and he's set to throw again Friday before Miami determines his next steps, per MLB.com.

The Cubs outrighted Rios to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Rios had been removed from the 40-man roster and went unclaimed on waivers. The 32-year-old reliever has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but it's unclear what he plans to do. Rios tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in his lone outing with the Cubs.

Williams struck out both batters he faced to earn the save in Wednesday's 10-5 win over the Rockies.

Sean Manaea was tasked with protecting a five-run lead in the ninth inning, but he instead loaded the bases while recording just one out. Williams came in and racked up six strikes on nine pitches to escape the jam, earning his third save in as many appearances in May. A four-game stretch in the middle of April saw Williams give up eight runs over two innings, but he's posted five consecutive scoreless outings since then. His 6.17 ERA and 1.80 WHIP for the season are ugly, but Williams has converted five of six save chances and has a 20:6 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The struggles haven't cost him the closer role yet, though the Mets' overall poor performance hasn't led to a ton of closing opportunities.

Soto walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Soto has primarily worked as a setup man this season, but he converted the save chance Wednesday after Paul Skenes spun eight shutout innings. Dennis Santana pitched in Tuesday's contest, while Soto hadn't been utilized since Sunday. The winds may be changing in the Pirates' bullpen, as Santana hasn't gotten a save chance since blowing one April 27 versus the Cardinals. Soto is at a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 18 innings, and he's added two saves and six holds across 18 appearances. Soto hasn't worked as a primary closer since 2022 with the Tigers, when he converted 30 of 33 opportunities, but he's certainly gaining momentum with his work early this year, which has made him the most reliable reliever on the team, regardless of role.

Milner was charged with a blown save during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday after giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

The Cubs initially turned to Corbin Martin to protect the team's 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Milner had to be brought in after the former gave up a solo homer before loading the bases. Milner struck out the first batter he faced but ended up allowing three runs to cross the plate (two inherited), which was enough for him to be tagged with the blown save. He shouldn't see many more save opportunities this season, as Daniel Palencia is the Cubs' preferred closer after recently coming off the 15-day IL.

The Mets pulled Minter (lat) from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday due to left hip discomfort, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Minter was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in early April, less than a year after undergoing surgery on his left lat. He has tossed 8.2 innings across nine minor-league games while posting a 1.04 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Minter will be reevaluated in a few days, but the Mets aren't overly concerned about the 32-year-old southpaw, who could be with the big club by mid-May depending on the severity of his latest injury.

Pallante (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings as the Cardinals fell 6-2 to the Brewers. He struck out three.

Four of the runs off Pallante crossed the plate in the first inning, including a three-run homer by Andrew Vaughn. The right-hander settled down after that and hung around for 104 pitches (74 strikes), but the St. Louis offense didn't get on the board until the eighth. Pallante has given the Cards at least five innings in all seven of his starts to begin the season, but his results have been somewhat erratic. He'll take a 4.34 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB through 37.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the A's.

Sanders is with the Pirates' taxi squad in Arizona prior to Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's not clear what the Pirates' plans are for Sanders, but the 29-year-old right-hander could be deployed out of bullpen at some point during the team's road trip. He's spent the majority of the season in Triple-A but has appeared in three major-league games, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings.