MLB Player News

King was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The left-hander will move off the major-league roster to make room for Sonny Gray (hamstring), who is returning from the injured list to make his season debut Tuesday. King appeared in two games for the Cardinals and allowed a run on three hits with a 4:0 K:BB over 2.1 innings.

Miller, promoted from Triple-A Tacoma earlier in the day, fired two perfect innings during which he recorded two strikeouts in a loss to the Blue Jays on Monday.

Miller was exceedingly sharp, firing 18 of 21 pitches for strikes after taking over for starter Luis Castillo in the sixth inning. The right-hander's pristine showing Tuesday was essentially an extension of the impressive body of work he put together during Cactus League play, and Miller could conceivably carve out a long-term spot for himself in the Mariners bullpen if he continues to distinguish himself while helping fill in for Cody Bolton (illness) and Collin Snider (knee) during their respective injured list stints.

Bernardino was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

It was a surprise when Bernardino was left off the Opening Day roster, but he didn't have to wait long for his first promotion. The left-hander held a 3.20 ERA and 58:18 K:BB over 50.2 frames for the Red Sox last season.

Borucki (triceps) is expected to begin a throwing program soon, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Borucki landed on the injured list over the weekend with left triceps inflammation, but he's already feeling better and it sounds like he could require only a minimum stay on the IL. The left-hander collected a 2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 33:4 K:BB over 40.1 innings with Pittsburgh in 2023.

Shuster struck out two across three scoreless innings of relief Monday in the White Sox's 4-0 loss to the Guardians. He struck out two.

Shuster was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday and threw the most innings in a bullpen day for the White Sox. He didn't show overwhelming stuff -- he generated four swinging strikes on 45 total pitches -- but he managed to keep the ball on the ground to avoid any damage. Shuster may not immediately stick on the big-league roster as the team tries to cover innings when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up until Mike Clevinger is ready to make his season debut in May, but the White Sox have plenty of incentive to see if Shuster has the potential to stick in the big-league rotation at some point this summer.

Diekman (1-0) picked up the win Monday against Atlanta, allowing one run on zero hits and one walk in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

After shutting down Atlanta in the seventh inning, the southpaw came back out for the eighth and walked Michael Harris before exiting, only to see Drew Smith eventually issue a bases-loaded walk that stuck Diekman with a run on his ledger. He still got credit for the win after the Mets took the lead for good in the top of the eighth. Diekman's 8.10 ERA on the season is a bit deceptive, as he has a 1.20 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB through 3.1 innings, and he's picked up two holds in his four appearances in addition to Monday's win.

Covey (shoulder) was cleared to resume throwing bullpen sessions at extended spring training in Florida over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

Covey was able to get back on the mound for the first time since making his final Grapefruit League appearance March 1 before being shut down with a right shoulder strain. As a reliever, Covey won't require as extensive of a buildup program as a starting pitcher would, but the right-hander is still likely at least a couple weeks away from being ready to return from the 15-day injured list.

Mears allowed one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Mears entered the game in the ninth inning with Colorado up by three and the chance to earn the first save of his career. He allowed only one ball out of the infield -- it was caught for an out -- but he struggled significantly with his control and was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs. Jake Bird relieved Mears and tallied the final out of the game to earn the save. Meanwhile, Justin Lawrence was used in a setup role, but Tyler Kinley -- who was unavailable Monday -- will likely be next in for saves over both Bird or Mears.

Kerkering (forearm/illness) will make two more rehab appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and Thursday before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Luke Arcaini of 102.5 FM Philadelphia reports.

Assuming he comes out of those outings with no issues, Kerkering should rejoin the Phillies bullpen when they return home this weekend for the start of a 10-game homestand. Kerkering has been out all season with a right forearm strain and an illness. He'll eventually be in line for high-leverage appearances, but it's possible the Phillies will ease him into those situations.

The Cubs list Brown as their probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in San Diego.

Brown pitched out of the bullpen in his first two appearances with the Cubs, so Tuesday's start will be the first of his major-league career. The 24-year-old struggled mightily in his MLB debut, allowing six runs in 1.2 innings against the Rangers, but he bounced back with four innings of one-run ball against the Rockies last week. Brown impressed in spring training and looks promising in the long term, but he will be a high-risk option against a Padres team that ranks second in scoring offense so far this season behind only the Dodgers.