MLB Player News

The Pirates recalled Mlodzinski from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Mlodzinski is expected to serve in a bulk-relief role, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He made nine starts for the Pirates earlier this season, collecting a 5.67 ERA and 28:12 K:BB over 39.2 innings.

Megill might be the odd man out of the Mets' rotation when Frankie Montas (lat) and Sean Manaea (oblique) are ready to come off the injured list.

Both veteran pitchers are currently on rehab assignments, with Montas on target for a late-June season debut and Manaea tracking to join the 26-man roster in early July. Even if the Mets stick with a six-man rotation at that point, they'll have seven starting pitchers available. Megill and David Peterson both have a minor-league option remaining, but the latter has been the more consistent pitcher this season with a 2.80 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 12 starts and 70.2 innings, compared to Megill's 3.76 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 13 starts and 64.2 innings. A trade would also solve the logjam, but as things stand, Megill might get bumped to Triple-A Syracuse in a few weeks despite being on pace for the best season of his career.

Manaea (oblique) struck out four while giving up two hits and a walk over 2.2 scoreless innings for High-A Brooklyn on Tuesday.

The veteran southpaw built up to 46 pitches (31 strikes) in his second start for the Cyclones, and he's put together a 6:1 K:BB through 4.1 innings for Brooklyn to begin his rehab stint. Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Manaea is set for at least three more rehab starts before the Mets will consider activating him from the injured list, a timeline which could have him joining the big-league rotation as soon as July 1 against the Brewers.

Wrobleski is expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Wednesday's game against the Padres, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Ben Casparius will open the contest and likely to work a couple of innings before turning the game over to Wrobleski. The left-handed Wrobleski has made two starts and one bulk-relief appearance for the Dodgers this season, posting a 7.20 ERA and 13:6 K:BB across 15 innings.

Double-A Knoxville placed McCullough (forearm) on its full-season injured list Friday after the right-hander opted for season-ending surgery, Greg Huss of NorthSideBound.com reports.

The Cubs haven't relayed whether McCullough's procedure was a Tommy John surgery or a flexor tendon repair surgery, but the right-hander won't pitch this season, and his availability for the start of the 2026 season would seem to be in jeopardy. McCullough will turn 25 years old later this month and has tossed just 14.2 total innings in the minors since the beginning of the 2024 season.

Abbott (6-1) picked up the win in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the Guardians, scattering three hits and a walk over nine scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Gabriel Arias got to third base in the second inning after a double and a stolen base, but that was as close as Cleveland got to producing any offense against Abbott. It was the first career shutout for the southpaw, who generated 31 called or swinging strikes among his season-high 110 pitches (77 total strikes), and it continued a dazzling stretch in which he's held the opposition without an earned run in five of eight outings since the beginning of May. Abbott sports a 1.32 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB over 47.2 innings during that span, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Twins.

Keller (1-9) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on eight hits over six innings as the Pirates were downed 3-2 by the Marlins. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The right-hander fired 73 of 97 pitches for strikes and piled up an impressive 39 called or swinging strikes en route to his 10th quality start of the season, but Pittsburgh once again failed to give Keller much run support. He's lasted at least six innings in seven straight trips to the mound, posting a 3.95 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB through 43.1 innings over that stretch, but he carries a miserable 0-6 record in that span despite that consistency. Keller faces a tough test in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend against the Cubs.

Alcantara (3-7) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates, allowing three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander only ran into trouble in the third inning after a leadoff double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but Alcantara escaped the jam and retired the last 10 batters he faced before leaving the mound. It was the best outing of the season for the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner as he delivered his second straight quality start, and the win was his first since April 12. Alcantara will look to keep building momentum and chip away at his 7.14 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Phillies.

Abel allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three in four innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Abel showcased some shaky command Tuesday after two strong starts to begin his major-league career. He gave up solo home runs to Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ and Michael Busch -- all on pitches left up in the zone. Abel finished his day on a strong note, however, by striking out Kyle Tucker with the bases loaded and a full count. The team announced Tuesday that Aaron Nola (ribs) could be out through the All-Star break, so Abel should be able to stick around through the summer as long as he doesn't completely implode. He's currently lined up to face the Marlins on the road next week.

Rea allowed four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings Tuesday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Only two of the seven hits allowed by Rea went for extra bases -- one being a two-run shot by Max Kepler in the second inning and the other a leadoff double in the fifth by Brandon Marsh. Following the leadoff knock, Rea found himself with runners on second and third with one out before being replaced by Ryan Brasier, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Tuesday was Rea's first time not making it to five innings since April 18. He's tentatively set to complete a two-start week at home against the Pirates this weekend.