MLB Player News

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Thursday in an interview with SportsNet New York that Senga (shoulder) recently had "a good bullpen" session where he was "making some strides."

Senga had to pull back on facing hitters while he dealt with mechanical issues, but he and the Mets were happy with how his last throwing session went. Stearns said he wasn't sure exactly when Senga would be ready to begin a rehab assignment, but it could happen relatively soon. The right-hander has been sidelined all season with a right posterior shoulder capsule strain.

The Mets optioned Lucceshi to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Lucchesi made a spot start Wednesday in Philadelphia, getting knocked around for five runs over 4.1 innings of work. He'll rejoin the Syracuse rotation while Josh Walker gives the Mets a fresh relief arm.

Waldichuk underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk was initially diagnosed with a UCL tear last October. He opted for a minor procedure on his elbow last fall in hopes of avoiding the surgery he eventually had Wednesday. The left-hander figures to be sidelined until around midseason of 2025.

The Pirates released Lauer on Thursday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Lauer had an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with Pittsburgh and has chosen to exercise it. The left-hander posted a 5.56 ERA over 29.1 innings during his time with Triple-A Indianapolis, but his 37:11 K:BB was more promising. Lauer, 28, shouldn't have trouble landing another gig elsewhere, although it's possible he'll have to accept another minor-league deal.

Hernandez (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Giants, covering six innings and striking out three while allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk.

After being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day, Hernandez held his own in his first start with the Dodgers, retiring seven of the first nine batters he faced before being tagged for two runs on a Mike Yastrzemski home run in the bottom of the third. The right-hander would allow another run on a Heliot Ramos double in the sixth but was still able to get through the frame and log a quality start in his debut. Hernandez produced 10 swinging strikes on the night and certainly made a case for more innings at the big-league level, though manager Dave Roberts said after the game that the right-hander will serve as a long-relief option out of the bullpen in the near term, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports.

German allowed one run while striking out four over four innings in his season debut Tuesday with Single-A Bradenton.

It's his first game action since last July, as the Yankees placed German on the restricted list in August following a clubhouse incident. He became a free agent after being outrighted off New York's 40-man roster and eventually signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates in March. German could eventually become a rotation option for Pittsburgh later this season, but it's unlikely to be anytime soon.

Webb (4-4) earned the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing three hits and three walks over six shutout innings while striking out five.

Webb allowed three of the first four batters to reach base in the opening frame but managed to work his way out of the jam, getting two of the three outs by way of strikeout. The right-hander would allow just two walks and two singles from that point on en route to earning his fourth win of the season, snapping a three-game losing skid. Webb has now hurled six or more shutout innings in three of his last six starts, posting a 30:12 K:BB over that stretch. He's also logged quality starts in seven of his 10 outings this season.

Lynn (1-2) took the loss against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over five frames.

Lynn got off to about as poor of a start as he could have asked for, surrendering a leadoff homer to Nolan Schanuel to open the game and failing to retire four of the first five batters he faced. All four runs surrendered by Lynn came in the first inning, though he would actually allow the first two batters to reach in the second as well, before working his way out of the jam. The veteran right-hander has now allowed four earned runs in three consecutive starts and has not made it through six innings since April 16 against the Athletics, which is a span of five starts.

Phillips allowed four runs on six hits and five walks while striking out six over 4.1 innings for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Phillips is getting rocked in the International League, logging an 8.29 ERA and 2.08 WHIP with as many walks (28) as strikeouts through eight starts. The right-hander, who made his MLB debut last season when the Reds suffered injuries to starters, pitched credibly during Cactus League action, but Phillips is struggling to throw strikes at Triple-A -- he has a 7.1 BB/9 in 19 career outings for the Bats. It doesn't look he's in a position at this stage to help the parent club if the Reds need a rotation fill-in.

Canning (2-4) earned the win over the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings while striking out five.

Canning allowed multiple baserunners in two of his first four innings but managed to work his way through it unscathed. He would later surrender a home run to Paul Goldschmidt to open the sixth, but that would be the only run allowed by the right-hander on the night as he cruised to his second win of the season. Canning produced 12 swinging strikes in the contest and now carries a 13:6 K:BB in May to go along with a 1.53 ERA. It also marked his second quality start of the campaign and the third straight outing in which he's allowed two or fewer runs.