MLB Player News

Through four appearances (6.2 innings), Smyly has a 4.05 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and seven strikeouts.

Outside of his first appearance of the season, Smyly has retired more than three batters in all of his outings, and he should continue to work in a long-relief role for the Cubs. While a 4.05 ERA isn't amazing, it is an improvement on the 5.00 ERA he posted in 2023. The veteran southpaw has also lowered his WHIP from 1.43 last season. It's still early, but Smyly's results have been encouraging so far.

Through four appearances (3.2 innings), Neris has a 7.36 ERA and 1.91 WHIP to go along with five strikeouts.

Neris has continued to miss bats at a high rate as he's done his entire career, though he's struggled to limit baserunners, and that's led to his high WHIP and ERA so far. It's of course a small sample, and the veteran righty posted a 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP last season with the Astros, so better days are likely ahead. Neris should continue to work in a setup role in front of closer Adbert Alzolay.

Antone underwent surgery Friday to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell said Antone's procedure went extremely well, though the right-hander is still expected to miss the entire year. He has made just nine appearances across the past three seasons and will now aim to return in 2025.

Bard (knee) will undergo right flexor tendon surgery and miss the rest of the 2024 season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bard started the season on the 15-day injured list while rehabbing from a cleanup procedure on his left knee in mid-February. The surgery on his right elbow will put Bard on the shelf for the rest of the season, and it could be his last year with the Rockies as the 38-year-old is a free agent in 2025. Justin Lawrence is currently the primary option for saves in a very volatile Colorado bullpen.

Poteet will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at Cleveland, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Saturday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather, which will afford Poteet the opportunity to make a spot start in Saturday's twin bill. The right-hander has pitched well in two starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season with two runs allowed and a 12:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Poteet should serve as the 27th player for the doubleheader, which likely means he'll promptly be sent back to Triple-A.

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

The Astros are in desperate need of bullpen reinforcements, which has led to them giving Kuhnel a look. The right-hander holds a career 6.02 ERA over parts of four seasons at the major-league level.

Mushinski was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mushinski was needed for 2.2 innings and 54 pitches in Wednesday's loss to the Royals. He'll be replaced with a fresh bullpen arm in Joel Kuhnel.

The White Sox selected Anderson's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Anderson had tossed 4.2 scoreless frames with a 5:0 K:BB at Charlotte. It will be the first stint in the majors for the 31-year-old since 2019, as he had Tommy John surgery and has bounced through a couple different organizations since then.

Duran (oblique) threw a bullpen session Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The conditions at Comerica Park on Friday were rainy, but Duran got in some mound work anyway. It's the first time he's thrown a bullpen session since he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain back in mid-March. Duran figures to require another bullpen session or two before progressing to facing hitters and eventually going out on a rehab assignment. He would appear to have a shot to be back with the Twins before the end of the month.

Criswell has joined the Red Sox' taxi squad and is expected to start Saturday against the Angels, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He'll fill the rotation slot of Nick Pivetta (elbow). Criswell has been sharp in his first two starts of the season with Triple-A Worcester, allowing one run with a 9:3 K:BB over 10.1 frames. The hope is that Pivetta won't need to miss too much time, but Criswell will likely be needed for at least one additional start next week.