MLB Player News

Peterson was recalled from the taxi squad Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Peterson was the team's final cut of spring training, but he'll be needed again right away with Edwin Diaz away on bereavement leave. Peterson may just be an extra bullpen arm for a few days until Diaz returns this time around, but he has the potential to enter the rotation later in the season if more Mets starters get injured.

While Contreras will be used out of the bullpen initially, the team will keep him on close to a starter's schedule and try to use him for multiple innings as he gets stretched out, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Contreras is arguably the most talented pitcher on the active roster, so he will eventually join the rotation, but the Pirates were going to have to monitor his innings regardless, so starting him off in a multi-inning relief role while keeping him on a starter's schedule makes sense. While his future is bright, we shouldn't assume the Pirates will keep him up in the majors all season.

Flaherty (shoulder) is working on building strength before beginning a throwing program, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

He did some outfield sprints Saturday and has also done plyometric exercises to build strength in his arm and shoulder. The next step would be a throwing program, but there is not a timetable for when that will begin.

Contreras is expected to pitch out of the bullpen after being recalled by the Pirates on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras was recalled after Duane Underwood (hamstring) was forced to the injured list. He's served exclusively as a starter throughout his minor-league career and projects to remain in that role in the long term. However, the team will stick with JT Brubaker, Mitch Keller, Jose Quintana, Zach Thompson and Bryse Wilson as the current starting rotation to open the 2022 campaign. There are likely to be plenty of starting opportunities for Contreras throughout the campaign, but he will bide his time in a multi-inning relief role for now.

Morton (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 7-6 victory over the Reds, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

The Atlanta bullpen made things interesting late but never relinquished the lead, ensuring Morton would get the win in his first appearance since his World Series heroics on a broken leg. The veteran right-hander threw 51 of 78 pitches for strikes, and he should get a little more stretched out in his next outing, which tentatively lines up as a road start Thursday against the Padres.

Gray (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over four-plus innings as the Nationals fell 7-3 to the Mets. He struck out five.

The right-hander had trouble commanding his stuff, throwing only 47 of 80 pitches for strikes and getting tagged for four extra-base hits when he did come over the plate, including a Jeff McNeil solo shot in the third inning. Gray's April doesn't get any easier in his next outing, a road start Wednesday in Atlanta against the defending champs.

Kelly took a no-decision in Friday's 3-0 loss to San Diego, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across four innings.

Kelly quieted a potent Padres offense and was able to keep Arizona competitive before the bullpen caved. Manager Torey Lovullo only let Kelly get through the lineup twice, as the Padres made him grind through a 28-pitch first inning and 25-pitch fourth inning that inflated his pitch count to 75. The 33-year-old lines up to face the Mets in his next start Friday.

Buehler (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out five and picking up a win over the Rockies.

All the damage against Buehler came in the second inning when he coughed up two runs on three hits. The 27-year-old righty kept the Rockies scoreless for the next three frames, finishing his outing with 78 pitches (53 strikes). He posted a 6.52 ERA in 9.2 innings this spring as he works to shake off the rust from a long offseason. Buehler is expected to face the Reds at home next week.

Freeland (0-1) yielded five runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Dodgers.

Freeland rolled through three shutout frames before the Dodgers jumped him in the fourth. He allowed three runs to cross the plate before he left the game and was charged with two more from runners he left on base. The lefty is now 4-10 with a 4.17 ERA in his career against the Dodgers. Freeland is lined up to face the Cubs at home next week.

Webb didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Marlins, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six-plus innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander blanked Miami over six frames, but after walking Joey Wendle on four pitches to begin the seventh, Webb was replaced by Dominic Leone and watched Wendle come around to score two batters later. The win then slipped through his fingers when Camilo Doval blew the save in the top of the ninth. Webb still got his season off to a flying start, and he'll look to keep that momentum going Wednesday at home against the Padres.