MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that the Dodgers are thinking about stretching out Casparius as a starter, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Roberts' comment came after Casparius improved his record to 3-0 by nabbing a win Sunday against Pittsburgh after taking over in the second inning for starter Tyler Glasnow, who was pulled due to a shoulder injury. Roberts said that Casparius "saved our tails" in regard to the righty's preservation of the bullpen and effective pitching -- he gave Los Angeles 3.2 scoreless frames, throwing 36 of 54 pitches for strikes and fanning five batters without issuing a walk. Casparius has been very effective as a whole this season, posting a 2.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB over 21.2 frames, and six of his 11 appearances have lasted two or more innings. Those numbers are all the remarkable given that the 26-year-old gave up six earned runs in a 1.2-inning outing against the Cubs on April 12; in Casparius' other 10 appearances combined, he's yielded just one run over 20 frames. The Dodgers' rotation depth is wearing thin due to shoulder injuries incurred by Glasnow and Blake Snell, though Tony Gonsolin (back) is expected to be activated from the IL ahead of a start Wednesday. Still, the team is likely to deploy a bullpen game Tuesday and is coming up on a stretch of 19 games in 20 days, so there may be an opening for Casparius to join the rotation at some point. He worked primarily as a starter in the minors, including in 2024, during which he started 19 of the 21 games in which he appeared between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Sunday that Stephan (elbow) is "progressing well" and is expected to return to game activity at the organization's spring training complex in Arizona at some point in May, Michael Beaven of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Stephan missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL reconstruction surgery, which he underwent last March. Now more than a year removed from the procedure, Stephan has reached the point in his recovery program that he's facing hitters, and he'll likely soon test himself in a simulated-game setting in Arizona before reporting to an affiliate for a rehab assignment. The right-hander was a key piece of the Cleveland bullpen in his last healthy season in 2023, turning in a 4.06 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 75:26 K:BB while collecting seven wins, 30 holds and two saves over 71 appearances.

Birdsong threw three scoreless innings during Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rangers, allowing three hits while striking out five.

Birdsong entered the game in the sixth frame, surrendering a triple to the first batter he faced. However, he settled in and retired the next three hitters. The 23-year-old also allowed a double and a single over his three innings but racked up a season-high five strikeouts. Birdsong owns a 1.13 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and an 18:6 K:BB across 16.0 innings in seven games. The right-hander has been impressive to start the 2025 campaign and will likely continue to serve in a long-relief role.

Matz will be the Cardinals' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matz will be pitching on three days' rest after he recorded two outs in a relief appearance Saturday versus the Brewers. The southpaw will be making his second start of the season after the Cardinals recently moved to a modified six-man rotation. He threw 71 pitches over five innings in his other start back on April 16 and should be able to handle a similar pitch count Wednesday.

The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Criswell was up as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians but did not make an appearance. The right-hander's last two appearances at Worcester were starts, and he'll likely rejoin its rotation this week.

The Rangers released Pennington on Sunday.

Pennington cleared waivers after being removed from the 40-man roster, but the Rangers have decided to cut him loose. The left-hander has not pitched this season, but he could draw interest due to his career 28.4 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level.

Fairbanks earned the save Sunday in San Diego after pitching a perfect ninth inning. He did not walk nor strike anyone out.

Fairbanks sent the Padres down in order to pick up his third save in the last four days. Sunday capped off a big week for Fairbanks who pitched 3.2 scoreless innings while picking up three saves and a win in four appearances. The 31-year-old owns a 2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB in 11.1 innings.

Guenther tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 7-0 win over the Orioles. He allowed one hit and struck out three.

After starter Tarik Skubal tossed six scoreless innings, Guenther followed it up with two scoreless frames of his own. It was only the second MLB appearance of the year for the lefty reliever, who was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Friday and dealt with a back injury earlier in the season. Guenther was effective in 2024 for the Tigers, posting a 0.86 ERA across 21 regular-season innings, and he could see his role grow if he continues to pitch well out of the bullpen.

Merryweather (0-1) gave up two runs (one earned) while retiring two batters to take the loss Sunday against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and three walks.

Merryweather's control eluded him as he took his first loss of the season in the 3-1, 10-inning defeat. Despite the hiccup, the righty has mostly pitched well for the Cubs, registering a 2.45 ERA and 10 strikeouts across 11 frames. Merryweather struggled with injuries last year as he posted a disappointing 6.60 ERA in 15 innings of work, but he looks healthier and more effective in 2025. His control remains a concern, however, as he now has a 4.9 BB/9, which could lead to some rough outings down the road.

Munoz earned the save in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Marlins, tossing a perfect ninth inning while recording a strikeout.

Munoz retired the top of the Marlins' order on nine pitches to pick up his 10th save and move into a tie with Robert Suarez atop the league. Munoz hasn't let up a run all season while sporting an 0.79 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB in 14 innings.