MLB Player News

Walter was promoted to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Walter, a left-hander selected in the 26th round of the 2019 draft, has seen his stock rise rapidly since 2021. After the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor-league season, Walter posted a 2.92 ERA over 25 games (14 starts) between to stops in the minors. He opened 2022 at Double-A Portland and has a 2.88 ERA with 68 strikeouts and just three walks over nine starts, spanning 50 innings. His fastball tops out at 95 mph, and he supplements that pitch with a changeup and slider.

Bukauskas (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session May 27, Jake Rill and Jack Sommers of MLB.com report.

Bukauskas is working his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain sustained in mid-March and is currently on the 60-day injured list. It's similar to an injury teammate Taylor Clarke had last season, which sidelined him for more than seven weeks.

Kimbrel (0-1) blew the save and took the loss against the Pirates on Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning.

Kimbrel was called upon to seal the win after the Dodgers stormed from behind to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. The veteran closer was unable to come through, notching his first blown save as a Dodger when Pittsburgh scored twice on him in the ninth. The first run came as the result of a walk, wild pitch and single, and the second was caused by a Freddie Freeman error. Kimbrel is still 10-for-11 in save chances on the campaign, though his 4.80 ERA isn't inspiring. He has struggled of late, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) over his past seven appearances covering 6.1 innings.

Pallante (1-0) earned the win Monday versus the Padres. He allowed one run on five hits with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Packy Naughton turned in a solid showing as the opener, while Pallante worked in bulk relief Monday. The only damage on Pallante's line was an Austin Nola RBI single in the sixth inning. The right-hander saw his 10.1-inning scoreless streak end, but he's emerged as a capable innings-eater in the Cardinals' bullpen. He has a 1.07 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 18:10 K:BB and four holds through 25.1 innings in 17 appearances.

Otto (3-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in six innings, earning the win over the Rays on Monday. He also hit one batter.

Otto picked up a win for the second start in a row, and this was also the second time he's completed six innings this year. The right-hander threw 60 of his 99 pitches for strikes, though his control remains a small issue. He's at a 4.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB across 35.1 innings this year through seven starts. He's projected to make his next start this weekend at home versus the Mariners.

Barraclough was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Barraclough has accrued a 3.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over nine innings so far this season. After starting the campaign with five straight scoreless appearances, he's surrendered three runs over his last three outings and will make his way to Triple-A following Monday's transaction. The team has yet to announce a corresponding move.

Hader logged scoreless innings to earn saves in both games of Monday's doubleheader versus the Cubs.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out three in a 7-6 win in the matinee, then added another strikeout in a perfect inning to close out the nightcap. It's rare to see a closer pitch in both games of a doubleheader, but it makes sense for manager Craig Counsell to turn to Hader whenever necessary. The 28-year-old has logged a save in each of his 18 appearances this year, and he's yet to give up a run. He's allowed just four hits with a 26:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings as one of the best closers in baseball.

Martinez (2-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

Martinez began the outing with a pair of scoreless frames before Nolan Gorman took him deep for a two-run shot in the third inning. He later allowed an RBI single to Tommy Edman in the fifth. Martinez has given up 10 runs over his last 19 innings (4.74 ERA) but Monday was his first loss since April 22. It's unclear if he'll get another turn in the rotation with Mike Clevinger (triceps) expected to return this week.

Naughton allowed one run on two hits as the opener in Monday's win over the Padres. He struck out four across 2.1 frames.

The 26-year-old southpaw worked through two scoreless frames before he was charged with a run on Jurickson Profar's RBI single off of Andre Pallante in the third. Naughton is sporting a 3.09 ERA with a 12:1 K:BB through 11.2 frames with St. Louis this season. If he gets another turn in the rotation, it would likely be this weekend in a road matchup with the Cubs.

Tate struck out two in a perfect inning during Monday's 10-0 win over the Red Sox.

Tate has allowed two unearned runs in 6.2 innings across his last six appearances. He's been effective in a high-leverage role this season, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB with a save and six holds in 22 appearances spanning 25 innings. Despite the solid work, he hasn't been able to mount a challenge to Jorge Lopez's grip on the closer role.