MLB Player News

Tonkin was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters for Julio Teheran. Tonkin allowed eight runs (two earned) over four innings covering three relief appearances with the Mets. There would seem to be a good chance the 34-year-old passes through waivers unclaimed.

Jackson (back) is currently throwing from 90 feet, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Jackson will be reevaluated Friday to see if he's ready to begin throwing off a mound. The reliever suffered a lower-back strain Opening Day and will be eligible to return next weekend, although it's not clear at this point whether he'll be ready at that time.

Hjelle (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A San Jose on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Hjelle is slated for one relief inning in what will be his first game appearance since he was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his pitching elbow back in early March. The Giants likely want to build Hjelle up for a long relief role, so he figures to require a handful of rehab appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Treinen (chest) is "weeks" away from a return, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Treinen began a throwing program nearly a week ago after suffering a bruised lung when he was struck in the chest by a comebacker in early March. Because he was shut down for so long, he will need time to ramp things back up. A timeline for the veteran reliever should become clear once he's throwing off a mound again.

Garrett (1-0) picked up the win in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers, giving up two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

After Jose Butto tossed one-run ball over six innings, Garrett saved a Mets bullpen that had been taxed in the matinee by working the rest of the game, and he got rewarded for his efforts when New York finally pushed two runs across in the ninth. It's only the second big-league win of Garrett's career in 32 appearances, and his 6.65 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 47.1 innings don't make a strong case for anything more than a low-leverage role. Despite Thursday's performance, the 31-year-old seems likely to get booted off the 26-man roster when the Mets next have a need for a fresh arm.

Bender gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth inning Thursday to collect his second hold of the season in a loss to the Cardinals.

The right-hander has been arguably the Marlins' most reliable reliever so far, posting a 6:1 K:BB through 3.2 innings and getting scored upon in only one of his four appearances. By contrast, closer Tanner Scott has a 5:6 K:BB in 3.0 innings, and Andrew Nardi has an ERA of 21.60 and has given up multiple runs in three of his four appearances. Bender's usage Thursday doesn't suggest he's in the closing mix at the moment, but if Scott and Nardi continue to struggle, that could change by the time Miami -- 0-8 to begin the season -- starts having late leads to protect.

Gibaut (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Dayton on Friday.

Gibaut missed all of spring training with a strained forearm but has been cleared for game action. He is eligible for activation April 9, but he might not be ready by then.

Bednar earned a save against the Nationals on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Bednar got a slightly late start to the season due to a lat injury, and he faltered in his first save opportunity Sunday, though he ended with the win in that outing. The right-hander had no problem with Washington in earning a save Thursday, throwing 14 of 19 pitches for strikes and finishing the contest by fanning Lane Thomas and Joey Meneses. Bednar cemented himself as one of the league's elite closers last year with 39 saves (tied for second in MLB), and though he's just 1-for-2 in save opportunities to begin this campaign, he's looked good overall, allowing just one run on one hit while posting a 5:0 K:BB over three innings.

Gallegos (1-0) retired the only batter he faced to earn the win Thursday over the Marlins.

Gallegos got the last out in the top of the seventh inning, and the Cardinals rallied from a two-run deficit to take an 8-5 lead by the end of the frame. While he's allowed five baserunners (three hits, two walks) over four innings, Gallegos has also struck out six batters while collecting a save, a hold and a win through four appearances. Manager Oliver Marmol still looks to be using a flexible approach to late-inning assignments, though Ryan Helsley is the Cardinals' top closing option. Gallegos will be in the mix for save opportunities, along with Andrew Kittredge and JoJo Romero, when Helsley is unavailable.

Helsley struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Marlins on Thursday to earn his second save of the season.

After allowing a pair of runs in a blown save versus the Dodgers in his first outing this year, Helsley's now delivered three straight scoreless appearances while earning a pair of saves. Helsley should have a fairly firm grasp on the closing job in St. Louis after he went 14-for-19 in save chances with a 2.45 ERA and 52:17 K:BB last season.