MLB Player News

The Yankees optioned Krook to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Krook did not make an appearance during his five-day stay in the Yankees' bullpen. He has pitched to an impressive 1.04 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 17.1 innings of relief this season at the Triple-A level.

Duffey has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cubs and will need to either be released or added to Chicago's 26-man active roster in the next 48 hours, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The veteran reliever has put up a 4.43 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 18 appearances with Triple-A Iowa. Unless the Cubs are willing to clear a spot for him in the big-league bullpen, Duffey should head to the open market by the end of the weekend.

Poche (4-1) earned the win in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning.

It was a nice bounce-back effort from Poche after he allowed two runs on three hits in his last outing Saturday. The 29-year-old left-hander finishes May with a 2.89 ERA over 9.1 innings, holding opponents scoreless in nine out of his 11 appearances. Poche now sports a 2.29 ERA through 19.2 innings this season with a 1.37 WHIP, 12:9 K:BB, one save and seven holds. He could be in line for more high-leverage work while Pete Fairbanks (hip) is sidelined.

Topa (1-2) earned the win over the Yankees on Wednesday after pitching a scoreless inning. He walked one batter and struck out one.

Topa entered the game in the 10th inning after the game remained scoreless after nine. An error and a walk loaded the bases for the Yankees with one out, but Topa was able to work his way around the trouble and concluded the frame by striking out Franchy Cordero. The 32-year-old garnered his first win of the year when the Mariners walked it off in the bottom of the inning. Topa now owns a 3.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB to go along with 10 holds and a save in 24 appearances so far this year.

Nittoli exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday and will either be released or added to Chicago's 26-man active roster in the next 48 hours, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nittoli posted a 3.48 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 20.2 innings this season at Triple-A Iowa. He shouldn't have too much trouble securing a minor-league deal with another organization if the Cubs opt to let him hit the open market.

Lopez allowed two runs on two hits and one walk and didn't record an out Wednesday against the Astros.

Lopez's recent struggles continue as he had a 9.00 ERA (11 ER in 11 IP) with a 9:7 K:BB and three hit batters in May. The Twins used him in a low-leverage spot in a blowout to try and get him right and he still struggled. Lopez may be relegated to the bottom of the bullpen until he shows signs of progress.

Lamet (1-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs on seven hits without walking a batter over just three innings. He struck out four.

Lamet was activated off the IL to make his first start since 2021 and did not fare well. The 30-year-old gave up three runs on four hits in the opening frame and then surrendered another two runs in the second before tossing a scoreless third. He was pulled after three at 71 pitches after reaching 63 pitches during the final start of his rehab assignment. Assuming manager Bud Black keeps him in the rotation, Lamet will line up to take the mound next week in a home matchup against the Giants.

Winckowski (2-1) was tagged with Wednesday's loss to the Reds, allowing three unearned runs on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.

Boston's shoddy infield defense reared itself once again when Rafael Devers' throwing error triggered a three-run inning for the Reds. The previous night, Enrique Hernandez committed a pair of throwing errors, one that led to a run in a 9-8 loss. "We're not a good defensive team," manager Alex Cora bluntly told Chad Jennings of The Athletic. "We have a pitching staff that doesn't have swing-and-miss stuff. When we get to two strikes and induce weak contact, we've got to make the plays. When we're really good, we're making plays. When we're not, we struggle." Winckowski, who's pitched well this season, put an end to an uprising in the sixth inning before the seventh went awry. The right-hander maintains a 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings with 25 strikeouts and six walks.

Robertson earned a save against the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over one inning.

Robertson experienced some stress in the outing as a result of allowing two straight hitters to reach base (via an infield single and a hit-by-pitch, respectively) with one out. However, the right-hander bounced back with a pair of strikeouts to end the threat and notch a save for the second straight day. Robertson is still in somewhat of a timeshare at closer with Adam Ottavino, but the former has been the more dominant pitcher throughout the campaign, posting a 1.48 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 24.1 frames.

Farmer earned a save against the Red Sox on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Closer Alexis Diaz pitched three of the previous four days, so the Reds turned to Farmer to protect a one-run lead in the ninth. The righty reliever threw just half of his 16 pitches for a strike but managed to retire the side in order for his first save of the campaign. Farmer has pitched well this season with a 2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 27.2 innings, but Diaz has been dominant and is in no danger of losing his ninth-inning role.