MLB Player News

Mervis went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Reds.

The first baseman gave Miami an early lead when he took Brady Singer deep in the first inning, but it was all the offense the team would manage in a 5-2 loss. Mervis hasn't had a multi-hit performance since April 9, leaving him with a .233 batting average on the season, but his power has been as advertised -- he's belted seven homers in 19 games, giving him a .617 SLG.

Kranick (2-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while holding the Phillies scoreless over two-thirds of an inning.

After Edwin Diaz (hip) left the game with one out in the 10th inning, Kranick was forced into action and immediately found himself in a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander induced a pair of short flyouts, keeping New York's deficit at one, before the Mets scored twice in the bottom of the frame, giving Kranick his second win this year. The 27-year-old Kranick has been a revelation out of the bullpen, posting a 2.81 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB through his first 16 innings this season.

Harris went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

Shifted back into the leadoff spot against right-hander Miles Mikolas with Alex Verdugo getting the day off, Harris continued a hot streak that has seen him bat .391 (9-for-23) over his last six games with a double, a homer, two steals, three runs and five RBI. The 24-year-old center fielder is slashing just .233/.250/.367 on the season, but he's added over 100 points to his OPS over the last week.

Romano (0-1) took the loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Mets, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

The Phillies took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, and Romano was tasked with closing the door in the bottom half. After Pete Alonso tied the game with a one-out double, Romano bounced back to strike out Mark Vientos before giving up a two-out, game-winning single to Starling Marte. Romano's Phillies' tenure has gotten off to a rough start -- his ERA now sits at 13.50 with a 2.25 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB through his first 9.1 innings. For now, Jose Alvarado figures to handle the bulk of save chances in Philly while Romano works in lower-leverage spots.

Hernandez (3-0) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief. He struck out two.

The right-hander was once again in the right place at the right time, taking the mound with two outs in the eighth inning and then watching Eli White launch a game-winning homer in the bottom of the frame. Hernandez has had a strong start to the season aside from his vultured wins, adding two holds in 11 appearances and posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings.

Elder came away with a no-decision in Wednesday win over the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.

While the right-hander wasn't dominant -- Elder managed just five swinging strikes among his 99 pitches (63 total strikes) -- he did deliver his first quality start of the season. He was actually on the hook for the loss however, until Atlanta's offense woke up in the seventh inning. Elder appears to have little competition for the fifth starter role at the moment, as AJ Smith-Shawver lasted only 3.2 innings in his most recent start at Triple-A. Elder will take a 5.57 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB through 21 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week at Coors Field.

The Cardinals will evaluate Herrera's (knee) progress and timetable for a rehab assignment when they return home Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Herrera is progressing well from a left knee bone bruise, as he's been able to run, hit and catch off a pitching machine without issue in recent days. A rehab assignment seems to be around the corner, but more will be known after he's evaluated Friday. Herrera has been shelved since early April.

Donovan (rib) is expected to return to the Cardinals' lineup Friday versus the Brewers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Donovan missed the final two games of the series in Atlanta after he had a rib pop out of place. He'll get a third day of rest during the Cardinals' off day Thursday before rejoining the lineup for the series opener Friday at home against Milwaukee.

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.