MLB Player News

Nunez (1-0) gave up an unearned run on one hit and struck out two over 2.2 relief innings Tuesday to record the win over the Yankees.

The right-hander fired 21 of 28 pitches for strikes and didn't walk a batter after taking over from David Peterson in the fifth inning with the Mets ahead 6-1, eventually getting credited with his first career win in the majors. Nunez has been outstanding since his promotion in late May, delivering a 1.80 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 19:1 K:BB through 15 innings and emerging as a key figure in the team's bullpen.

The Cardinals recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He will serve as the team's 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta. Roycroft has collected a 3.07 ERA and 13:8 K:BB over 14.2 relief innings with the Cardinals this season. He'll likely be sent back down to Triple-A following the doubleheader.

Brazoban struck out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Tuesday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Royals.

The 34-year-old right-hander didn't get a chance to break camp on the 26-man roster due to visa issues, but Brazoban has looked good since joining the Marlins at the end of May. Through nine appearances and 15.1 innings, he's posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB, and he may be working his way into a higher-leverage role.

Liberatore will start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Atlanta, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Liberatore's last appearance was a spot start a week ago, and he went 3.2 innings and threw 48 pitches against the Marlins. Based on the workload he handled versus Miami, Liberatore should be capable of going at least that long in Wednesday's outing, though the St. Louis bullpen will certainly be needed to cover multiple innings.

The Tigers optioned Lucas to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Lucas' stay with the big club lasted just one day, and he went unused out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies. He'll be replaced on the 26-man active roster by right-hander Keider Montero, who was called up from Toledo to serve as a bulk reliever in Wednesday's series finale versus Philadelphia.

Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Phillies, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

With left-handed sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the top three of the batting order, the Phillies are targets for southpaw openers. Holton will be followed by Keider Montero, who will be called up from Triple-A Toledo and will be deployed as a bulk reliever.

Hendriks (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey said Hendriks has been throwing "half-mound" sessions, but Wednesday's activity marks the reliever's first session throwing on the top of the mound since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery last August. If Wednesday's workout goes well, a normal progression would have Hendriks throwing two bullpen sessions per week before ramping up to face hitters.

Hader allowed a solo home run and a walk with three strikeouts during Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Rockies.

Hader stepped into the game for the ninth inning despite not being eligible for the save and gave up his first home run since June 9 to Michael Toglia. After a shaky start to 2024, Hader owns a 2.25 ERA with 30 strikeouts and eight saves over his last 19 appearances. He's also walking batters at his lowest clip since 2019, with 2.4 BB/9 in 2024.

Spence (4-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk across 5.1 innings against the Angels. He struck out six.

Spence surrendered his most runs in an outing this season Tuesday, with five of those runs coming in the fourth inning. The rookie right-hander allowed the first four batters he faced in the fourth to reach safely before Mickey Moniak cleared the bases with a grand slam. While Spence has been a bit inconsistent as a starter, he owns a 4.40 ERA in starts along with a 34:9 K:BB over 43.0 innings. He's projected for a rematch against the Angels early next week.

Estevez picked up the save Tuesday against Oakland, allowing one hit with two strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

Estevez's streak of eight consecutive perfect innings came to an end Tuesday. However, he converted on his ninth straight save attempt and hasn't allowed an earned run since May 20. While saves have come at a premium for an Angels team that rests 12 games below .500, Estevez has made the most of his opportunity and is on pace for career lows in ERA and WHIP.