MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Matz moving into the rotation on a more permanent basis "should be on the table," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matz has made one start and six relief appearances so far this season and excelled in both roles, posting a 1.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 19.1 innings. He will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series against the Brewers, but if he's not needed, he'll make a start next week in Cincinnati. Miles Mikolas' spot in the Cardinals' rotation would appear to be the most vulnerable, although he tossed six shutout frames his last time out. While Matz is pitching well enough to be considered for a regular place in the St. Louis rotation, it does not seem that move is imminent.

Bell went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Orioles.

After James Wood led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot, Bell also took Tomoyuki Sugano deep in the same frame for his fourth homer of the year. Bell does have 10 runs and 11 RBI in 22 games, but he's otherwise had a rough start to 2025 -- he hasn't produced a single multi-hit performance, leaving him with a feeble .141/.256/.321 slash line.

Finnegan gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Orioles.

The right-hander didn't re-sign with the Nationals until late February, but his late start to camp hasn't impacted his results once the regular season began. Through 10 appearances, Finnegan has a 1.69 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB while converting all nine of his save chances, putting him second in the majors behind Robert Suarez's 10.

Williams didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Orioles, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.

The 32-year-old righty has yet to record an out in the sixth inning in any of his five starts, but Williams was effective Wednesday until getting the hook after 99 pitches (61 strikes). It's his second straight outing in which he allowed just one run, but on the season Williams is still dragging around a 5.11 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 24.2 innings. He'll look to continue his turnaround in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mets.

Lowder (forearm) is expected to throw and up-and-down bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The Reds are targeting a return sometime in May for Lowder, who missed all of spring training. It's unclear if the organization plans to have the right-hander begin his season at Triple-A Louisville or join the major-league roster.

Steer started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Steer returned to the lineup after a day off Tuesday and started at first base for the third time in the last four games. Prior to this, he had been limited to designated-hitter duty only. Steer is 4-for-13 with a double, two RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in his three starts in the field. He can play multiple positions and has been working on throws from the outfield, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Steer's not putting a timeline when he can play other positions but said "it will be soon."

Marte (hamstring) has begun a running program, MLB.com reports.

Marte began swinging a bat a week ago and has moved to the next step in his recovery. There's still no word of when the second baseman can begin a rehab assignment. The Diamondbacks are getting by with a combination of Tim Tawa and Garrett Hampson at the keystone.

Thomas went 2-for-5 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Rays.

Thomas has given the Diamondbacks a competent bat at the end of the order and is slashing .279/.338/.393 with five extra-base hits, 10 RBI, three steals and nine runs scored over 68 plate appearances. His offense had been a question mark over his first three seasons in the majors, as Thomas has never hit higher than .231, but his consistency thus far may have made the team more comfortable in its decision to demote Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno. With McCarthy off the roster, Thomas becomes the primary starter in center field. If he improves against left-handers, Thomas could be an everyday player.

Stephenson (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday. He's gone a combined 1-for-6 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts in two games.

Stephenson operated as the catcher in both contests and caught five innings in each. With a layoff of over a month, the Reds are unlikely to push the catcher too quickly through the rehab process.

Martinez (shoulder) returned to the mound in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Rays, striking out one during a clean ninth inning.

While it wasn't a save situation in a 5-5 game, fantasy managers should still be pleased to see the hard-throwing right-hander look sharp in his return to action. It was Martinez's first appearance since last Thursday due to right shoulder fatigue, and he should be ready to solely reclaim the closer's role for the time being in the absence of A.J. Puk (elbow). Through his first eight innings of the season, Martinez has converted both of his save opportunities while allowing just three hits, one walk and no runs en route to producing a pristine 11:1 K:BB.