MLB Player News

Banda was traded from the Guardians to the Dodgers for cash considerations Friday.

Banda will head to Los Angeles after playing with the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate in Colombus. The 30-year-old left-hander logged a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with a 25:6 K:BB across 17.0 IP with the Clippers this season.

Spence will start Friday in Kansas City, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first major-league start for Spence, who has posted a 4.26 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 25.1 innings covering 11 relief appearances. The Rule 5 pick will be pitching on three days' rest after allowing two runs over two-thirds of an inning Monday in Houston, so he likely won't be able to pitch deep into Friday's contest. Spence has gone three-plus frames in six of his relief appearances, including a season-long 4.2-inning outing May 5 versus the Marlins. He could wind up piggybacking with Kyle Muller, who is also available to work multiple innings.

Merryweather (ribs/back) could start a throwing program Monday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The right-hander has been shut down since he suffered a rib stress fracture in his back in early April but is now ready to begin a throwing program. Merryweather will be eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June but will likely require more time before being reinstated.

The Cubs placed Brewer on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's not clear when Brewer's back began bothering him, but his last appearance came Sunday in Pittsburgh. He's been an effective middle reliever for the Cubs this season, collecting a 3.09 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Porter Hodge will take his spot in the bullpen.

The Astros will recall Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game versus the Brewers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

There's no word yet on what the corresponding move will be, but Shawn Dubin threw three innings Thursday so he is a candidate to be optioned. Mushinski has been knocked around for seven runs (five earned) over four relief innings during his time in the majors this season.

Diekman gave up an unearned run in the 11th inning Thursday, walking one and striking out one, to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

The veteran southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from coming home thanks in part to a Pete Alonso error, but Diekman otherwise wiggled out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to preserve the comeback win. Edwin Diaz had blown his third save of the season in the ninth inning, but the Mets aren't yet showing any inclination to make a switch at closer. Diekman's control issues could keep him out of consideration for saves even if the job does become open, however -- through 14 innings this season he has a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB.

Lopez (1-0) picked up the win in Thursday's extra-innings victory over the Phillies, walking one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

The 31-year-old right-hander has seen his numbers take a step backward in May, and through seven innings this month he has a 3.86 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB. Lopez got the job done Thursday though, and he's collected one win, two saves and six holds in 22 appearances while giving the Mets some valuable middle-relief depth.

Chapman (finger) struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless inning to earn a hold Thursday against the Cubs.

Chapman was removed from Sunday's appearance with a cracked fingernail, but the issue was never expected to require a long-term absence. After beginning the season as the Pirates' primary setup man, Chapman appeared in the seventh inning Thursday while Colin Holderman followed him in the eighth frame.

The Guardians activated Hentges from the paternity leave list Thursday.

Hentges missed a series against the Rangers while spending time with his growing family. He'll be back in the Guardians' bullpen for their weekend set versus the Twins.

Martinez (1-2) earned the win over the Dodgers on Thursday, pitching five shutout innings in relief while allowing one hit and striking out four.

Martinez relieved Justin Wilson to open the bottom of the third and proceeded to retire 15 of the 16 batters he faced while generating 12 swings and misses. Martinez has been outstanding in a relief role and carries a 0.87 ERA to go along with a 9:2 K:BB through 10.1 innings in May over four appearances.