MLB Player News

Romano (1-0) earned the win Monday, walking one and striking out one over two scoreless innings of relief against the Orioles.

Romano entered a tie game in the ninth, needing just nine pitches to complete the frame, then unofficially saved his own victory after the Blue Jays plated a run in the top of the 10th. It was the 10th appearance of the season for the Toronto closer, who had converted on all six of his save opportunities prior to earning his first victory Monday.

Avila was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Avila will be available out of the bullpen for Monday's game against the Dodgers. He hasn't been able to settle in so far this season with the big-league club, surrendering at least one run in five of his six relief appearances.

Taylor (elbow) struck out seven and allowed three earned runs on three hits and one walk over 3.1 innings in his season debut Friday for the White Sox's rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

A 2023 second-round draft pick out of LSU, Taylor didn't make his professional debut last summer while he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which cost him his entire final season of college. Set to turn 22 years old later this month, Taylor likely won't stick around in rookie ball for long and will likely report to Single-A Kannapolis or High-A Winston-Salem once he gets stretched out a bit more.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Junk's latest stint in the majors lasted just a few days and he didn't make an appearance. Joel Payamps is back from the bereavement list to absorb Junk's roster spot.

The Brewers activated Payamps (personal) from the bereavement list Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Payamps missed the last three games but will rejoin the rotation for the start of Milwaukee's series against the Pirates. He seems to have fallen behind Trevor Megill in the Brewers' bullpen hierarchy but could still find himself in the mix for saves.

The Guardians recalled Strzelecki from Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Strzelecki will give the Guardians another relief option while Sam Hentges is on paternity leave. He has made three scoreless appearances out of the bullpen for the big club this season.

The Guardians placed Hentges on the paternity list Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hentges will likely miss the entire three-game set against the Rangers before rejoining the club this weekend for its series versus the Twins. Peter Strzelecki was recalled from Triple-A Columbus and will assume Hentges' spot in Cleveland's bullpen.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Smith (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Smith's minor-league rehab assignment is considered complete, so the Mets will merely need to decide which player will come off the 26-man active roster to create room for the right-handed reliever. Before hitting the shelf April 27 with shoulder inflammation, Smith logged three holds and one save over his 10 appearances out of the Mets bullpen while pitching to a 2.70 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 10 innings.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Monday that Leone (back) will begin throwing live batting practice sessions soon, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Leone isn't expected to require a rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list, which should come early next week when he's first eligible.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Almonte is getting imaging done on his right shoulder Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Almonte had been placed on the the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain, but the Cubs apparently still want to glean more information on the extent of the injury. The right-handed reliever had posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 15.2 innings out of the Chicago bullpen while gathering one win, one save and six holds prior to landing on the IL.