MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

One of six relievers who worked in Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona, Palencia will be swapped off the 26-man active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in Hayden Wesneski, who was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move. Palencia had given up at least one run in each of his three relief appearances for Chicago this season and posted a 5:7 K:BB over six innings.

The Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Little was one of seven pitchers used by the Cubs in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks and is being sent out in favor of a fresh arm. The lefty has yielded two runs with a 5:5 K:BB over 6.2 innings during his time with the big club this season.

The Cubs recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wesneski was called up from Triple-A to give the Cubs some length out of the bullpen after six relievers were needed to cover the final 4.2 innings of Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona. The right-hander has yet to make his 2024 big-league debut but has accrued a 2.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 10.2 innings with Iowa this season.

The Cubs transferred Merryweather (ribs/back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

As a result of the move to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible to rejoin the Chicago bullpen until at least early June. The Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Colten Brewer from Triple-A Iowa to replace Merryweather on the 40-man roster. After being diagnosed last week with a stress fracture in his ribs and on the right side of his back, Merryweather isn't expected to resume throwing again for another three weeks.

Doval retired all three batters he faced with one strikeout to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins.

Doval faced the heart of Miami's lineup but needed just 13 pitches to retire the side in order for his third save of the year. The right-hander gave up two runs in his first outing of the season, but he has followed up with four straight scoreless appearances and has an 8:1 K:BB during that stretch.

The Dodgers optioned Salazar to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Salazar was in the majors for one day and didn't make an appearance out of the Dodgers' bullpen. He's clearing out to make room on the active roster for Landon Knack, who was called up from Triple-A ahead of his start Wednesday against the Nationals.

The Mets claimed Tonkin off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Tonkin doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he'll be added to the Mets' 26-man active roster and will presumably join the big club for the start of its series three-game series in Los Angeles versus the Dodgers this weekend. New York designated lefty Tyler Jay for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Tonkin, who has allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over six innings across his four relief appearances this season between the Twins and an earlier stint with the Mets.

Jimenez (1-1) was charged with a loss and a blown save against the Cardinals on Tuesday, allowing two earned runs on a hit and two walks over one-third of an inning.

Jimenez was entrusted with preserving a 2-1 lead when he entered in the sixth inning, but he immediately worked himself into trouble by allowing the first three hitters he faced to reach safely via a single and a pair of walks. Jimenez would go on to surrender back-to-back RBI sacrifice flies to allow the Cardinals to pull ahead by a run, which would prove the final margin of victory. The normally reliable right-hander has been a bit more vulnerable than usual of late, being saddled with blown saves in two of his last three outings while giving up a total of three runs on four hits over 2.2 innings in that span.

Munoz recorded his third hold in a win over the Reds on Tuesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording three strikeouts.

Munoz relieved Logan Gilbert with two outs in the seventh inning and a man on, and after issuing a walk to Elly De La Cruz, he surrendered a hit to Nick Martini but was bailed out when De La Cruz was thrown out at third base on a stellar outfield assist by Julio Rodriguez. Munoz was exponentially more effective in the eighth inning while recording swinging strikeouts against all three batters he faced to preserve Seattle's 3-1 lead, and he then saw Ryne Stanek entrusted with the ninth inning until Stanek worked himself into trouble and was bailed out by Tayler Saucedo. The Mariners' closer role therefore appears to be somewhat in flux, but Munoz has four straight scoreless appearances during which he's picked up his most recent save, a win and back-to-back holds.

Junis (shoulder) remains limited to throwing on flat ground, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Junis will be eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list this weekend, but it doesn't sound like he's close to returning. The 31-year-old is in the early stages of ramping things back up as he works his way back from a right shoulder impingement.