MLB Player News

Graterol struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning against the Mets on Tuesday.

The Dodgers held a 5-0 lead when Graterol entered the contest, so he didn't get credited with a save. However, the news here is that manager Dave Roberts went to Evan Phillips -- who has appeared to be the team's closer of choice this season -- to face the bottom of New York's order in the eighth frame with Los Angeles up just three runs. Graterol appeared lined up to get his first save chance of the campaign, but the Dodgers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to eliminate the opportunity. Still, the bullpen usage Tuesday was a reminder that the team hasn't committed to any one closer. While Phillips remains the favorite for save chances, Graterol may pick up multiple opportunities along the way as well.

Phillips earned a hold with a scoreless eighth inning against the Mets on Tuesday. He allowed one hit and no walks and didn't strike out any batters.

Phillips has gotten two of Los Angeles' three saves this season, with the only other save going to Andre Jackson in a three-inning outing. However, Phillips was brought in to face the bottom of the order with the Dodgers holding a 3-0 lead in the eighth Tuesday. Meanwhile, Brusdar Graterol got the ninth inning, and though the save chance disappeared by the time he took the mound, it appeared he would have pitched even if the team hadn't tacked on two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Phillips is still the most likely Dodger to pick up a save, but Tuesday's decisions were a reminder that the team hasn't committed to a full-time closer and that Graterol is in the mix for opportunities as well.

May (2-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning.

Tasked with preserving a scoreless tie when he entered in the eighth inning, May worked himself into immediate trouble by issuing a leadoff walk to Seiya Suzuki and surrendering a double to Patrick Wisdom. A Cody Bellinger run-scoring single and Yan Gomes RBI groundout followed and were enough to chase May, who's now been charged with a loss in two of his last three appearances and has given up seven earned runs over the three innings covering his last five trips to the mound overall.

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.