MLB Player News

The Nationals returned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester after Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Rutledge pitched one inning during the nightcap in what was his season debut, allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out one batter. He holds a 6.33 ERA and 1.63 WHIP through 27 innings across seven starts in the minors, and he would likely need to show significant improvement before he draws consideration for an extended stint in the big leagues.

Miller (shoulder) will throw two simulated innings at the Dodgers' complex in Arizona on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Assuming all goes well Wednesday, Miller will move onto either a three-inning sim game or begin a rehab assignment with one of the Dodgers' minor-league affiliates. Either way, the 25-year-old right-hander will most likely require multiple appearances in the minors as he continues building up to a starter's workload.

Snell (thigh) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Snell fired four perfect innings while striking out seven batters during his first rehab outing at Single-A San Jose, though he'll be facing some tougher competition during his next start. Assuming everything goes smoothly, Friday is expected to be the 31-year-old's final game in the minors, putting him in line to return from the IL and start May 23 against the Pirates.

Butto (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on one hit and four walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Butto was sharp for most of the day, though he hit a rough patch in the third inning -- the right-hander loaded the bases with two outs before hitting Alec Bohm with a pitch and walking Brandon Marsh. The two runs proved to be more than enough to stick Butto with the loss, as the Mets couldn't get anything going against Aaron Nola in a 4-0 shutout defeat. The 26-year-old Butto's allowed just six runs in his last three starts (16 innings), though he's gone 1-2 in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at a solid 3.08 through his first 38 innings this year with a 1.13 WHIP and 38:21 K:BB. Butto's currently in line for a road start early next week against the Guardians.

Nola (5-2) earned the win, allowing just four hits over nine shutout innings Tuesday against the Mets. He struck out eight.

Nola was dominant Tuesday, holding the Mets without a baserunner until the sixth inning en route to the fourth complete-game shutout of his career. It's certainly an encouraging outing for Nola after he'd posted a subpar 5.59 ERA over his previous two starts (9.2 innings). The 30-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.10 on the season with a 1.09 WHIP and 55:15 K:BB through nine outings (58 innings). Nola's currently in line to make a second start this week Sunday at home versus the Nationals.

The Mets will recall Lucchesi from Triple-A Syracuse to start Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lucchesi will be making his first big-league appearance of the season after posting a 2.58 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 38.1 innings in the minors. The 30-year-old southpaw found success with the Mets last season, but he will be tested in his first outing of 2024 by a Phillies lineup that boasts a .755 OPS.

Hall (knee) threw 35 pitches over two simulated innings Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Hall came out of the throwing session feeling like he's ready to make a rehab start, but he had not yet spoken to the medical staff to confirm that's the next step. The left-hander has been sidelined for the last three-plus weeks with a left knee sprain. Hall will probably need at least two rehab starts before being activated.

Houser will no longer start Wednesday in Philadelphia after warming up in the bullpen during Tuesday's game versus the Phillies, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Houser had been set to rejoin the rotation after a brief demotion to the bullpen, but the club had him get loose when it looked like he might be needed in relief Tuesday. He ultimately didn't pitch, but he won't be ready to start Wednesday. The team has not yet announced a starter for Wednesday's contest.

Horton averaged 93.4 mph (touched 94.9 mph) with his fastball in his first start for Triple-A Iowa on May 4 and averaged 93.9 mph (touched 95.5 mph) in his second start May 10 after sitting at 95-97 mph with his fastball and regularly touching 98 mph in 2023.

This doesn't necessarily mean Horton is dealing with anything physically, but it's worth noting that he's not working with the same caliber stuff as was advertised during the offseason. Horton had a 1.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and an 18:2 K:BB in 16.1 innings across four starts in a return assignment to Double-A Tennessee before getting promoted to Triple-A at the end of April. He has given up eight earned runs on seven hits, eight walks and two home runs while striking out 11 in seven innings through his first two starts at the highest level of the minors. Since Triple-A pitch velocities are public, it's worth keeping tabs on Horton's pitch velocities over his next few outings to see if things keep trending up. This is also Horton's first experience with the automated balls and strikes system at Triple-A, so perhaps that's partly to blame for his elevated walk rate.

The Nationals recalled Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge will serve as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox and will be available out of the bullpen for both games. The 25-year-old has had a rough start at Rochester this season, holding a 6.33 ERA and 27:19 K:BB over 27 innings of work covering seven starts. He's likely to be sent back down after Tuesday's contests.