MLB Player News

Thomas (elbow) began a rehab assignment Monday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over one inning.

The southpaw has been on the shelf since April 8 with left elbow arthritis and could need close to the full 30-day rehab window to shake off the rust before the Brewers bring him back from the 60-day injured list. Once he's activated, the Rule 5 selection will likely fill a low-leverage role in the Milwaukee bullpen.

Nelson improved to 2-1 on the season in Monday's 5-0 win over the Pirates, covering 6.2 scoreless innings and striking out four batters while allowing four hits and no walks.

Making his second turn through the rotation in place of Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder), Nelson once again came through with an excellent outing after he previously limited the Dodgers to one run over five innings in his last start May 20. Rodriguez isn't expected to be ready to return from the 15-day injured list later this week when first eligible, and manager Torey Lovullo confirmed after Monday's contest that Nelson would pick up at least one more start Sunday versus the Nationals, per Jack Magruder of the Associated Press. The right-hander owns a 3.79 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 38 innings across his 12 appearances (three starts) on the season.

Hoffman secured the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rangers after throwing a scoreless ninth inning with no strikeouts.

It was the 11th save of the season for Hoffman, who's looking to overcome what's been a dreadful month of May to this point. Over his last eight innings, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a 14.63 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB while converting just five of his eight save chances. The Blue Jays have continued to demonstrate trust in Hoffman as their closer, and they'll likely have to lean even more heavily on him for ninth-inning work as long as Yimi Garcia (shoulder) is recovering on the injured list.

Lynch will start Tuesday's contest versus the Reds in Kansas City, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch will toe the rubber for his second start of the season, after he previously tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in his first start last Wednesday against the Giants. The left-hander could see a slight increase in his workload Tuesday, though he's unlikely to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.

The Pirates optioned Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The move makes room on the 26-man roster for Braxton Ashcraft, who was recalled from Triple-A on Monday. Mattson appeared in three major-league games for the Pirates since being promoted to the majors this past Tuesday and allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four across three innings. He'll head back to Triple-A, where he has a 2.33 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, four saves and a 24:5 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Bautista secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win against St. Louis, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts.

The flamethrowing right-hander required only 10 pitches, seven which were strikes, to convert his 56th career save. Bautista has been less than stellar in May, allowing five runs with an 8:5 K:BB across 7.2 innings. Despite the recent string of subpar performance, he remains cemented as the Baltimore closer with a 3.78 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB through 16.2 total innings.

The Rockies optioned Chivilli to Triple-A Albuquerque following Monday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs.

Chivilli has struggled out of the Rockies' bullpen this season, posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 29.1 innings. He has given up nine runs over his last 4.1 frames, and the 22-year-old right-hander will look to regain his form in Triple-A.

Diaz was transferred from Triple-A Reno to Arizona's training complex Saturday, Michael McDermott of SI.com reports.

The Diamondbacks want Diaz to get right after walking at least five batters in four consecutive starts. In his most recent start against Sugar Land on May 17, Diaz retired the first batter faced and then walked five straight before being pulled. He showed improved strike-throwing ability in 2024 but has taken a huge step backwards this season. In nine combined appearances between Reno (eight starts) and Arizona (one in relief), Diaz has struck out 34 and walked 34 over 33 innings.

Palencia picked up the save in Monday's 3-1 victory over the Rockies, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts.

The 25-year-old righty placed eight of his 13 total pitches in the strike zone to convert his third straight save chance. Palencia appears to have fully overtaken the closer's job in Chicago while Porter Hodge (oblique) is on the injured list. Palencia has been impressive through 18.2 frames this season, pitching to a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB.

Assad (oblique) played catch Monday, Zoe Grossman of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad re-injured his oblique in late April during a rehab start and had been shut down from throwing since. However, he's been cleared to begin a throwing program and played catch Monday for the first time since the injury. Assad remains weeks away from being activated from the 60-day IL.