MLB Player News

Kerr will start Thursday's game against the Nationals, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Reynaldo Lopez was originally scheduled to start Thursday's series finale, but Atlanta will instead give Kerr another shot after he allowed five earned runs in four innings during his first MLB start last Friday in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 5.40 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 13.1 innings this season and has never pitched more than four innings in a game throughout his career.

Richards (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk over 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday versus the White Sox.

Alek Manoah started the game but left in the second inning due to right elbow discomfort. Richards stepped up with his longest outing of the season to at least partially spare the Blue Jays' bullpen, and he was rewarded with the victory. Richards has a 3.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB over 27.1 innings this season. If Manoah is forced to miss time, it's unlikely Richards steps into the rotation, as he hasn't regularly seen work as a starter since 2019.

The Astros released Diaz on Monday.

Diaz elected free agency after being DFA'd by the Astros in April, but he quickly returned to the team on a minor-league deal. The 29-year-old has since put up a 9.64 ERA in 14 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land, so Houston will elect to part ways with the right-handed reliever. Diaz's minor-league resume hasn't exactly been outstanding, but his 0.96 big-league ERA in 18.2 innings since 2022 may be enough to attract another minor-league deal from a different organization.

Englert tossed two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates, which finished as an 8-0 Detroit win.

Detroit ace Tarik Skubal dazzled across seven scoreless innings, then handed things off to Englert with a comfortable lead. Englert allowed three earned runs over an inning of work in his season debut six days ago, but he's logged three scoreless innings since then. The righty will remain a low-leverage reliever for now, which limits his fantasy upside, though his role could expand if the Tigers trade any veterans from their bullpen at some point down the road.

The Angels transferred Cisnero (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Cisnero landed on the injured list April 28 due to inflammation in his right shoulder, and his move to the 60-day IL will require him to be sidelined until at least June 27. The 35-year-old right-hander began throwing off a mound May 19, but the Angels have not yet indicated when they plan on having him face live hitters. Michael Stefanic (quad) was reinstated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move to fill Cisnero's roster spot.

The Mets will designate Lopez for assignment Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lopez allowed two earned runs in just one-third of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers and was ejected from the game after arguing a check-swing call. The 31-year-old right-hander then tossed his glove into the stands while walking toward New York's dugout and said after the game that he has been on "the worst team in MLB." Understandably, the Mets will boot him off their 40-man roster and give other bullpen-needy teams the opportunity to claim him off waivers. Lopez owns a 3.76 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 26.1 innings on the year.

Helsley earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Reds, allowing a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning.

Protecting a three-run lead in the ninth, Helsley allowed the first two batters to reach. He'd allow a run on a Tyler Stephenson sacrifice fly before ultimately getting Elly De La Cruz to ground out with the tying runs on base. Helsley has now converted 18 straight save chances despite allowing at least one run in his last three appearances. Overall, the 29-year-old right-hander sports a 2.52 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB over 25 innings this season.

Pallante (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Reds, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Making his first big-league start since 2022, Pallante was sharp Wednesday, blanking Cincinnati over six innings in the winning effort. The 25-year-old right-hander has made nine appearances out of the bullpen in St. Louis this year, struggling to a 6.30 ERA over 10 innings, though he was solid in four starts with Triple-A Memphis, allowing just four earned runs in 16.1 innings. Pallante certainly did enough to warrant another turn in the Cards' rotation -- he'd currently line up for a road matchup with the Astros early next week.

Megill (elbow) could be unavailable to pitch for a few days, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Megill was struck on the right elbow by a comebacker in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs. While X-rays came back negative and he has avoided the injured list for the time being, Megill might need a little time for the elbow to calm down. Joel Payamps would seem to be the most likely candidate for saves while Megill is unavailable.

The Mets placed Diaz on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder impingement.

Left-hander Josh Walker was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take Diaz's spot on the 26-man active roster and in the New York bullpen. After blowing ninth-inning leads in four of his last five appearances, Diaz had already been expected to get a break from closing duties, and his injury will only further delay his opportunity to resurface as the Mets' preferred ninth-inning man. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino likely represent the best bets for saves out of the Mets bullpen while Diaz is on the shelf.