MLB Player News

The Rockies reinstated Bard (personal) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Bard returns to the Rockies after he was placed on the injured list hours before Opening Day after experiencing anxiety and struggling with command in both spring training and the World Baseball Classic. The right-hander has operated as the closer for the Rockies over the last two seasons, and while he should return to that role eventually, he may work in a few low-leverage situations to begin his 2023 campaign as he gets eased back in from the three-week absence. Bard looked sharp during his lone rehab outing at Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend, striking out three of the four batters he faced over a clean inning of relief.

Colorado optioned Lambert to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Lambert was up with the big club for just a day and didn't appear in a game. The right-hander will head back to Albuquerque to make room for Daniel Bard (personal), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Wilson threw two innings of relief and picked up the win in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Mariners.

Wilson got a chance to close Tuesday after the Brewers pushed across a run in the top of the 10th inning, and although he blew the save, he kept the game knotted at five. He remained in the game for another frame, and after his offense plated another run in the 11th, Wilson kept the Mariners off the scoreboard and picked up his first win of the season. Wilson is working as Milwaukee's long reliever, but he has recorded two three-inning saves in addition to the win, and he also owns a 0.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 11.0 innings.

Fleming is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind Calvin Faucher in Friday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays have confirmed that Faucher will make a second straight start after he worked 2.2 innings as an opener in front of Fleming in last Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Topkin notes that the Rays plan to have Faucher cover around four innings Friday, and while Fleming should still be in good position to factor into any decision assuming that he's the first man out of the bullpen, the southpaw may end up serving as more of a piggyback option behind Faucher rather than a primary pitcher. The arrangement will likely lower Fleming's overall innings ceiling and could result in him transitioning into more of a full-time relief role if Faucher continues to build up his innings and pitches in his subsequent outings.

The Giants designated Long for assignment Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The left-handed pitcher was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for outfielder Cal Stevenson, whom the Giants acquired in a trade with the Athletics. If Long goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll likely report back to Triple-A Sacramento, where he's struggled to a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 10 innings this season.

The Guardians optioned Pilkington to Triple-A Columbus following Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Cleveland summoned Pilkington from Triple-A to serve as its 27th man for the twin bill, but he wasn't needed out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old lefty should step back into the Columbus rotation, unless the Guardians elect to call him back up when the team next needs a fifth starter Monday versus the Rockies in Cleveland. The Guardians have an opening in the rotation after the struggling Hunter Gaddis was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Romano (rib) gave up a hit and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros.

After getting a scare Saturday when he took a comebacker off the ribs, Romano didn't seem hampered at all on the mound Tuesday, firing 14 of his 15 pitches for strikes and popping 98.3 mph with his fastball. The right-hander leads the majors in saves, two ahead of Felix Bautista, David Bednar and Emmanuel Clase, and Romano's 12:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings is equally elite.

Faucher is slated to start Friday's home contest against the White Sox and will likely be stretched out to around four innings, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Unless he's needed out of the bullpen in an emergency for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, Faucher will be making his second straight turn as a "starter." While opening in front of Josh Fleming in last Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays, Faucher covered 2.2 innings and struck out two while allowing one run on two hits and one walk. Faucher is in line to work as more of a piggyback starter than an opener Friday, but he's still unlikely to work deep enough in the contest to qualify for a win. Expect Fleming to once again cover the bulk of the innings once Faucher exits Friday.

Scott struck out one in a perfect seventh inning Tuesday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Giants.

The southpaw appears to be behind both A.J. Puk and Dylan Floro for high-leverage opportunities in the Miami bullpen, but through seven appearances this season Scott now has a win, a save and a hold. He's also getting into a rhythm, reeling off four straight scoreless, no-hit outings with a 4:1 K:BB in 4.1 innings. The 28-year-old has been streaky throughout his career when it comes to maintaining his control, but while he's dialed in he'll have fantasy value in formats that value holds.

Chavez struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning Tuesday to record his seventh hold of the season in an 8-1 win over the Padres.

Atlanta scored six of its eight runs in the final two frames, erasing a potential save situation, but Chavez still collected his league-leading seventh hold, tying him with the Mets' Brooks Raley. The 39-year-old Chavez has had a remarkable start to the season, posting a 0.00 ERA and 9:1 K:BB through nine innings and 10 appearances, but he's been able to work his way into a high-leverage role in part due to injuries to Raisel Iglesias (shoulder), Collin McHugh (shoulder) and Tyler Matzek (elbow). Once the Atlanta bullpen gets healthier, and Chavez's numbers begin to tumble back down to Earth, he figures to fade back into middle relief.