MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Hernandez has allowed one earned run across 4.2 innings this season, but he will now return to the minors to free up a spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen. It's unclear who will come up from Triple-A to fill the left-hander's spot, but the team will announce a corresponding move Friday.

Gilbreath (elbow) pitched in a simulated game Tuesday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Gilbreath, who is on the mend from March 2023 Tommy John surgery, said he felt good following Tuesday's outing, so the Rockies are tentatively having him pitch in a controlled setting once again Friday. If all goes well Friday, Gilbreath could head out on a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next week. During his last MLB season with Colorado in 2022, the lefty reliever compiled a 4.19 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 49:26 K:BB across 43 innings.

Uribe (2-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Padres after he allowed a hit and no walks in a scoreless eighth inning. He had one strikeout.

The right-hander appeared set to blow a scoreless tie after giving up a leadoff triple, but he retired the next three batters on 10 pitches. Uribe entered in a non-save situation for the second straight day, while Joel Payamps closed out the ninth inning Wednesday for his second save of the campaign. Uribe and Payamps should be considered co-closers for the time being as the only Brewers relievers with any saves this season, besides Thyago Vieira's three-inning save.

Payamps retired all three batters he faced in Wednesday's 1-0 win against San Diego to earn the save. He did not record a strikeout.

It's the second save of the season for Payamps but his first since March 31. Abner Uribe appeared to have a decent grip on the closer role but has worked earlier in games recently -- including the eighth inning Wednesday -- opening the door for Payamps to receive another save chance. The pair could split the ninth inning going forward, but the closing situation in Milwaukee hardly seems settled.

Wilson allowed two hits and a walk across 3.2 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 1-0 win against the Padres. He struck out two and didn't factor in the decision.

The right-hander opened Wednesday's game for Milwaukee, and he threw 41 of 57 pitches for strikes as the first of five relievers that combined to shut out San Diego. It was Wilson's first start since 2022 with the Pirates, and he's excelled as a reliever for the Brewers over the past two seasons with a 2.85 ERA in 58 appearances. He should return to the relief role but could be an option for more spot starts as the campaign rolls on.

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

One of six relievers who worked in Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona, Palencia will be swapped off the 26-man active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in Hayden Wesneski, who was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move. Palencia had given up at least one run in each of his three relief appearances for Chicago this season and posted a 5:7 K:BB over six innings.

The Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Little was one of seven pitchers used by the Cubs in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks and is being sent out in favor of a fresh arm. The lefty has yielded two runs with a 5:5 K:BB over 6.2 innings during his time with the big club this season.

The Cubs recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wesneski was called up from Triple-A to give the Cubs some length out of the bullpen after six relievers were needed to cover the final 4.2 innings of Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona. The right-hander has yet to make his 2024 big-league debut but has accrued a 2.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 10.2 innings with Iowa this season.

The Cubs transferred Merryweather (ribs/back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

As a result of the move to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible to rejoin the Chicago bullpen until at least early June. The Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Colten Brewer from Triple-A Iowa to replace Merryweather on the 40-man roster. After being diagnosed last week with a stress fracture in his ribs and on the right side of his back, Merryweather isn't expected to resume throwing again for another three weeks.

Doval retired all three batters he faced with one strikeout to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins.

Doval faced the heart of Miami's lineup but needed just 13 pitches to retire the side in order for his third save of the year. The right-hander gave up two runs in his first outing of the season, but he has followed up with four straight scoreless appearances and has an 8:1 K:BB during that stretch.