MLB Player News

Matsui (3-2) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks without retiring a batter.

Adam Mazur gave San Diego six innings of one-run ball in his MLB debut, but Matsui wasn't able to keep the game tied upon entering in the seventh. The lefty reliever issued two walks around an infield single to load the bases, and all three runners came around to score after his departure. The rough outing came two days after Matsui blew a save opportunity against the Royals, giving up three runs while retiring just one batter as the ninth-inning option of choice while regular closer Robert Suarez -- who had pitched on consecutive days -- was unavailable. Prior to the pair of ugly appearances, Matsui held a solid 2.88 ERA, but that mark now sits at 4.97.

Diaz (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Brooklyn on Thursday.

Diaz threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday and has now been cleared to test things out in a game setting. He is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list on June 11 when the Mets return home from London. Barring a setback, Diaz should be ready to go that day. Whether he is used as the closer right away upon his return is unclear, as Diaz's struggles prior to getting hurt had led to him sharing save chances with others.

The Mets transferred Fujinami (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Joe Hudson, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Fujinami has been out all season with a right shoulder strain and is expected to remain out until after the All-Star break.

The Astros selected Hernandez's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hernandez was acquired via trade from the Padres on Tuesday and has now been added to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster. The 29-year-old boasts a 1.90 ERA and 34:9 K:BB over 23.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2024. He made two relief appearances with San Diego in 2023, allowing four frames in three frames.

The Astros optioned Mushinski to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Mushinski had pitched both of the previous two days, allowing a pair of runs while cover 1.2 innings. He'll make way for a fresh relief arm in Nick Hernandez, whose contract was selected Wednesday.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Pagan (triceps) will be activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He will have missed just over the minimum 15 days with a right triceps issue. Pagan has posted a 4.19 ERA, but also a 25:7 K:BB across 19.1 innings out of the Reds' bullpen in 2024.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Junk was called up from Triple-A on Saturday but didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen before being sent back to Nashville. He's made some starts with Nashville this season and could be thrust into the rotation as he rejoins the affiliate after the Brewers recalled two of Triple-A club's starters (Aaron Ashby and Tobias Myers) on Wednesday.

Long (0-1) allowed two unearned runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Guardians.

Long put two runners on base before giving way to Angel Zerpa in the seventh inning. A Bobby Witt error would allow three runs to score, including the two on Long's line that sent him to the loss. He still hasn't given up an earned run over 5.1 innings this season, and he's generally pitched well with a 5:1 K:BB in a low-leverage role since he was brought up to the majors May 20. Long has previous experience as a starter, but none of his six big-league appearances this year have exceeded one inning. He went longer than an inning in eight of his 15 outings for Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up, so he could still be called on to provide length out of the bullpen.

Barlow pitched a perfect inning to earn a hold in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Royals.

Barlow has given up six runs over his last seven innings, but he's also picked up seven holds over nine appearances in that span. He's been a little shaky all season, as evidenced by a middling 3.91 ERA to go with a 1.34 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB through 25.1 innings, but Barlow still leads the Guardians with 15 holds. He's maintained a setup role while adding one save and a 2-2 record, though Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis have been more reliable parts of the bridge to closer Emmanuel Clase.

Smith (3-0) allowed one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Royals on Tuesday. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Smith entered the game while the Guardians were down, 5-3, but they put together a rally in the seventh inning to put him in line for the win. During his 10.1-inning scoreless streak, Smith has two wins, one save, four holds and a 14:1 K:BB. That impressive stretch has helped him get into the high-leverage mix. He's been fantastic in his first big-league season with a 1.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB over 27 innings, though he's unlikely to be anything more than a setup man with Emmanuel Clase entrenched as the closer.