MLB Player News

The Mariners are expected to reinstate Munoz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener in San Diego, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Though Munoz has been on the shelf since April 9 with a right deltoid strain, he's looked as effective as ever since starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma last week. He's yet to allow a hit over three scoreless innings, striking out three batters in those appearances while displaying his typical upper-90s fastball velocity. Heading into the season, Munoz was projected to be part of a committee at closer with Paul Sewald, but Munoz may have to settle for a setup role upon his return while Sewald has turned in a 2.96 ERA and 0.90 WHIP this season en route to converting all but one of his 12 save chances.

Washington is expected to designate Machado for assignment in the near future, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals are off Monday, so the team may wait another day before making the transaction official and replacing Machado on the 40-man and 26-man rosters. Dougherty speculates the corresponding move might be adding Sean Doolittle to a bullpen that currently lacks a left-handed reliever. Machado has struggled mightily over his 14 relief appearances for Washington in 2023, pitching to an 8.47 ERA and 1.76 WHIP across 17 innings.

Hernandez (shoulder) made the third appearance of his rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Sunday, striking out one while allowing no hits and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Hernandez, who has resided on the injured list all season with a right shoulder strain, has now made three rehab appearances in the Florida State League, recording no more than four outs and throwing no more than 20 pitches in any of those outings. The 28-year-old's light usage would seem to suggest that the Mets envision him filling in a relief role once he's activated from the 60-day IL, even though Hernandez has mostly operated as a starter over parts of five seasons in the majors.

Karinchak (2-4) earned the win over the Twins on Sunday after tossing a scoreless sixth inning. He allowed a hit and struck out two.

Karinchak was the first name called out of the bullpen after Triston McKenzie's day was done following five dominant frames. He allowed a leadoff single but was able to get through the inning unscathed. The 29-year-old has not allowed a run over his last seven outings and has picked up two holds and a win over that span. For the year, Karinchak owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 36:16 K:BB and has 11 holds over 25.2 innings.

Leone (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits over 1.1 innings in a 6-4 defeat.

After the Mets tied the game in the sixth inning, Leone surrendered a two-run homer to Brandon Belt that would prove to be the difference in the loss. The 31-year-old Leone had been pitching well prior to Sunday, delivering four consecutive scoreless appearances while punching out seven over 4.1 innings. He now sports a 5.40 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB across 13.1 innings this season.

Lamet is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Giants at Coors Field.

In his return from the 15-day injured list last Wednesday for his first MLB start since 2021, Lamet lasted just three innings in a loss to Arizona, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits. On a positive note, Lamet carried over the improved control he showcased during his three-start rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque, issuing no walks while striking out four. The Rockies saw enough positives from Lamet in the outing and have few attractive alternatives available for the rotation, so the right-hander will get another opportunity to try and deliver better results Tuesday.

Pearson (3-0) blew a save but picked up a win in Sunday's victory over the Mets, giving up two solo home runs in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

The right-hander came into the game having not allowed an earned run in five straight appearances while posting an 11:1 K:BB, but Pearson got taken deep by Starling Marte and Pete Alonso in the sixth inning to erase a 4-2 lead. Fortunately for Pearson and the Blue Jays, Brandon Belt answered back with a two-run shot in the top of the seventh. Pearson appears to be finding a home in the bullpen, delivering a 28.8 percent strikeout rate against a 6.8 walk rate in 18 innings since his promotion.

Clase earned his second save in as many days with a scoreless ninth inning against the Twins on Sunday. He allowed a hit and a walk and struck out two.

Clase gave the Twins a glimpse of hope after giving up a walk and a single but ended the game by striking out Willi Castro. The 25-year-old now has four consecutive scoreless outings and is pacing all of baseball with 19 saves. His numbers aren't as eye-popping as year's past, but he's still proving he's as elite as they come in the ninth inning. Clase has a 3.10 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB over 29 innings.

Scott (4-1) picked up the win in Sunday's victory over the A's, walking one batter in a scoreless eighth inning.

The southpaw kept the game tied at 5-5 in the top of the eighth, and got rewarded when the Marlins took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Scott has reeled off 11 straight scoreless appearances, shaving nearly two runs off his ERA in the process, and on the season he sports a 3.21 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB through 28 innings. He also has nine holds and two saves in addition to his wins, and with A.J. Puk (elbow) closing in on his return, Scott figures to remain in a setup role.

Floro struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday to record his sixth save of the season in a win over the A's.

While the right-hander remains prone to implosions -- he's given up three or more runs in four of his 26 appearances this season, leading to a 4.32 ERA -- Floro is a perfect 5-for-5 in converting save chances since A.J. Puk (elbow) hit the IL. Puk was able to pitch on back-to-back days Friday and Saturday on his rehab assignment, however, which the organization viewed as the final hurdle before his activation, so Floro could be returning to a setup role very shortly.