MLB Player News

Finnegan earned the save Sunday against Philadelphia, allowing no hits and one walk over a scoreless inning while striking out one.

Finnegan took another step away from his March 31 blown save, registering a second consecutive scoreless and hitless outing en route to his third save of 2024. With the Nationals still in the basement of the National League, Finnegan likely won't have much room to grow from his 28-save total in 2023, but he appears to be locked in as the club's closer in the early part of the campaign.

Palencia secured a save after he pitched three innings, surrendering one run on a hit and two walks while striking out two batters in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers.

Palencia was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, and he was instantly given some extended run. Outside of an RBI double by Shohei Ohtani in the top of the eighth inning, the 24-year-old held Los Angeles down while recording the final nine outs of the contest. Palencia appeared in 27 games with the Cubs in 2023, producing a 4.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 33 strikeouts over 28.1 innings, something he'll look to build off of in 2024.

Doval allowed one hit in a scoreless inning and punched out three batters to earn a save over the Padres on Sunday.

Doval coughed up a two-out single but had no trouble slamming the door to secure the 3-2 win. It was his second straight scoreless appearance and his first save of the 2024 campaign. He got four whiffs on 11 swings and now owns a 5:2 K:BB through 2.2 frames.

Antone (elbow) is set to undergo an MRI on his right elbow, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Antone was removed from Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Mets with an apparent elbow injury, which will now lead to him undergoing an MRI in the near future, according to manager David Bell. The 30-year-old entered the game to open the top of the sixth inning, threw one pitch and then was subsequently pulled. Considering the fact that Antone has struggled with elbow issues in the past, Sunday's development is particularly concerning, and his status moving forward will certainly be worth monitoring.

Palencia was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The right-hander failed to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster but will now join the MLB club with Julian Merryweather (shoulder) headed to the injured list. Palencia made his big-league debut last season and had a 4.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 28.1 innings out of the bullpen.

Hernandez was recalled Sunday from Triple-A Indianapolis, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hernandez will be brought up to the Pirates roster with pitcher Ryan Borucki being placed on the 15-day IL with left triceps inflammation. The second-year reliever pitched two games in late March, logging two innings and one save before getting sent down to Triple-A. Though he was called up concurrently with Borucki's injury, Hernandez could keep his spot if able to perform well when called from the bullpen.

Antone was removed from Sunday's game against the Mets with an apparent elbow injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The right-hander entered for the sixth inning but threw just one pitch before departing with the injury. It's a potentially ominous development for Antone, who finished last season on the injured list with elbow tendinitis after spending most of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Merryweather has seen the mound in four games this year, posting a 1.93 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 4.2 innings for the Cubs, and the injury likely occurred in his most recent outing Friday against the Dodgers, when he struck out three while recording a hold. Due to the fifth-year pitcher's injury hiatus, Chicago has brought up Daniel Palencia from Triple-A Iowa. Merryweather will be eligible to return before the end of April but has no official timeline for his return.

Borucki was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left triceps inflammation, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The left-hander presumably picked up the injury during his last outing Friday versus Baltimore, when he allowed two runs on three hits over one-third of an inning. Borucki doesn't have an official timeline for his return but will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks.

Arizona designated Martin for assignment Sunday.

The Diamondbacks selected infielder Kevin Newman's contract from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move, with Arizona making room for him on the 26-man active roster by placing shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) on the 15-day injured list. Once one of the more prized young arms in Arizona's organization, Martin is now 28 years old and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and required another major operation last spring, when he had a procedure to address a right lat tendon avulsion. Martin ended up missing the entire 2023 season, and though he's been healthy to begin the 2024 campaign, he's been lit up for three earned runs on three hits and three walks over three innings between his first two relief appearances at Triple-A Reno.