MLB Player News

Alexander (ribs) is projected to throw a bullpen session in coming days, MLB.com reports.

The veteran remains without a timeline for return, but the bullpen session would mark his first time throwing off a mound since spring training. Alexander was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left side in mid-March after three ragged Cactus League outings, and he'll almost certainly need an extensive rehab assignment whenever he's deemed ready to return to game action.

Spence (1-1) got the win over the Nationals on Sunday despite allowing two earned runs on four hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out one.

Spence took over for embattled starter Alex Wood with one out in the fifth inning and induced an inning-ending double play. However, the right-hander worked himself into trouble in the sixth, eventually surrendered RBI singles to Joey Meneses and Lane Thomas as the Nationals built a seemingly commanding 6-1 lead. Nevertheless, Spence was bailed out when the typically light-hitting Athletics put together an improbable six-run rally in the home half of the frame and held on for the one-run victory. Spence has been scored on in each of his first four big-league appearances, but the fact two of those outings have been three innings in length and one of the runs was unearned has helped lead to a serviceable 4.15 ERA across 8.2 frames.

Raley (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against the Royals, striking out two in a perfect eighth inning.

Jose Butto and Cole Ragans posted goose eggs for six innings before turning things over to their bullpens, and Raley was in the right place at the right time as the Mets broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. The 35-year-old southpaw has begun the season with six straight scoreless appearances of his own, delivering a 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB through 5.1 innings along with three holds as the primary setup man to Edwin Diaz.

Bender gave up a run on three hits while striking out one in the seventh inning Sunday, recording his fourth hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.

The right-hander's 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through seven innings aren't pretty, but Bender leads the Marlins in holds and his 11:2 K:BB indicates he's fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2023. Tanner Scott blew the save Sunday and seems to be hanging onto his closer role by a thread, so Bender and Andrew Nardi could begin to see ninth-inning work in his place.

Nardi struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.

The southpaw needed 12 pitches (10 strikes) to knife through the bottom of Atlanta's order, only to see Tanner Scott blow the save in the ninth. Nardi's had a rough start to the season, giving up multiple runs in four of his nine appearances, but his 10:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings is something to build on. Should Scott be removed from the closer role, Nardi is still one of the prime candidates to see save chances in his place despite his horrific 12.27 ERA.

Scott (0-3) took the loss Sunday and blew his first save of the season, giving up three runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning against Atlanta. He struck out one.

Called upon to protect a 7-6 lead, Scott instead served up a massive three-run homer to center field by Marcell Ozuna. It's been a brutal start to the season for the left-handed closer, and he's saddled with a 4.70 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and ghastly 7:10 K:BB through 7.2 innings. Scott's job security might be hanging by a thread, and potentially the only thing keeping him in the ninth right now for the Marlins is that no one else in the bullpen has pitched particularly well either.

Pearson struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Sunday during a 5-0 win over the Rockies.

It wasn't a high-leverage spot, but Pearson still mowed down the heart of Colorado's order on 16 pitches (10 strikes). The right-hander has been impressive to begin the season, posting a 0.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings as he adjusts to a relief role, but until he starts being entrusted with more responsibility, his fantasy value with be limited -- Pearson has zero wins, holds or saves in six appearances.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

He's clearing out to make room for Xzavion Curry, who will start Monday's game. Strzelecki is unscored upon in two appearances during his brief time with the Guardians this season.

Curry (illness) was activated from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Curry got a late start to the season because of a viral illness, but he is ready to go now and will make a spot start Monday in Boston. The right-hander is likely to shift to a long relief role following Monday's outing.

Minter (2-1) struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record the win over the Marlins.

It was very nearly an immaculate inning, but Minter fired a fastball just off the plate on his first pitch to Jesus Sanchez before getting him to chase three straight cutters. The southpaw then got rewarded for his performance when Marcell Ozuna launched a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth. Minter is curiously still looking for his first hold of 2024, but he's otherwise been outstanding in a high-leverage role, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB through seven innings.