MLB Player News

Suarez earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

The Padres put up nine runs from the sixth through eighth innings to carry a one-run lead into the ninth, and they turned to Suarez to try to nail down the comeback victory. The right-hander had little trouble doing so, striking out a batter to start and end the frame and needing just 14 pitches to retire the side in order. Suarez wasn't a certainly to work as the closer this season for San Diego coming into spring camp, but he looks to have a firm hold on the role at this point, tying for the league lead with four saves while allowing just one run and posting an 8:3 K:BB over six innings.

Bird recorded one out to earn a save over Arizona on Monday.

Bird entered the game with two outs and the bases jammed in a 7-5 game and forced Eugenio Suarez to fly out after Nick Mears couldn't finish off the inning. Bird has one save and a hold while registering a 5.14 ERA through seven innings this season. Justin Lawrence picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth inning.

Hoffman (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning Monday. He struck out one, blew a save chance and earned a win over the Phillies.

Hoffman coughed up the 3-1 lead in the ninth inning after Jose Alvarado worked a clean eighth but the Phillies quickly took the lead back in the 10th to get Hoffman the victory. Hoffman had turned in 4.1 scoreless frames prior to Monday's hiccup. As of now, Alvarado still appears to be the team's top ninth-inning option.

Soto allowed one hit in a scoreless frame Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Cardinals.

Soto was in a first-and-third jam with just one out but punched out Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado to close out the 5-3 win in the 10th inning. This came after Jeff Hoffman blew a save chance in the ninth. Soto now has a save and two holds with a 5:0 K:BB through 3.2 shutout frames.

Diaz picked up the save Monday against Milwaukee. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one walk and no hits, with no strikeouts.

Diaz entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead but didn't pitch as cleanly as his line looks. Not only did he walk Christian Yelich in the inning, but he also beaned Sal Frelick before wrapping up the save with a Rhys Hoskins flyball. Diaz remains the main saves option in Cincinnati despite his rocky start with a 7.20 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over his first five appearances.

Merryweather (ribs/back) underwent additional testing Monday and it was determined that he is dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, but manager Craig Counsell announced his updated injury status Monday, stating that the right hander will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Merryweather is now set to be on the shelf well past the minimum stay on the IL and in the meantime, Daniel Palencia will likely stick around the major-league bullpen.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Varland will return to Triple-A after being recalled by the Dodgers on April 6. He pitched against the Cubs on April 7, when he gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit over 0.1 innings. Prior to his call-up, Varland appeared in three games for OKC, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk over 3.2 innings.

Antone will undergo surgery Friday to repair a torn tendon and partially torn ligament in his right elbow, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Antone has already had Tommy John surgery twice, with the second one occurring in 2021. He had numerous setbacks after the latter operation and has made just nine appearances at the major-league level since 2022. Now Antone is facing another season-ending surgery.

Antone was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Reds on Monday with right elbow inflammation.

Antone had to be pulled from an appearance Sunday versus the Mets and was sent for an MRI. It's not clear whether the results of the imaging are in, but at minimum he'll be on the shelf for the next couple weeks. Antone has been plagued by elbow issues over the past three seasons.

Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Mets on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Ramirez has been blasted for seven earned runs over 5.1 innings for the Mets this season. Cole Sulser will absorb his spot in the bullpen.