MLB Player News

Albies went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Rays.

The second baseman only has two stolen bases on the season, but they came in back-to-back games this past weekend in Tampa Bay. Albies has hit safely in six straight games and eight of 10 to kick off April, batting .286 (12-for-42) so far this month with two doubles, two homers, five RBI and six runs.

The Cardinals are expected to use Matz as part of a six-man rotation for at least three weeks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals are moving to a temporary six-man rotation because they have just one scheduled off day from April 11 to May 7. Matz will enter the rotation this week and appears in line to make at least four starts before the team re-evaluates its pitching plan. The left-hander has collected a 2.31 ERA and 6:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings covering five relief appearances this season.

Verdugo is expected to join Atlanta's active roster this week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Verdugo has participated in seven games with Triple-A Gwinnett, going 4-for-22 with a pair of home runs, including one long ball on Sunday. It's uncertain whether Verdugo will join Atlanta on Monday for the start of its series in Toronto or on Friday when the club begins a homestand, but "all signs point" to the veteran outfielder being recalled this week, per O'Brien. Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz have both struggled, so Verdugo figures to immediately get an opportunity at regular playing time in the outfield corners for Atlanta.

Atlanta activated Bummer from the bereavement list Monday.

Bummer missed the weekend series against the Rays but has rejoined the club for its early-week series in Toronto. The southpaw has yielded three runs with a 7:4 K:BB over five innings this season.

Atlanta optioned Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Petersen was with the big club for just one day, tossing two scoreless frames in one relief appearance. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Aaron Bummer, who is back from the bereavement list.

Busch went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who went deep twice, provided most of the offense for Chicago. For Busch, it was his second long ball in as many days against his former team. The 27-year-old is off to a nice start in 2025, as he's slashing .315/.393/.593 through 17 contests. Busch will still continue to sit most games against southpaws, but he's a legitimate offensive threat against righties.

Torrens went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Athletics.

Torrens opened up the scoring with an RBI base knock in the sixth and added on more with an RBI-double in the ninth. He's been productive as the Mets' top option behind the dish while Francisco Alvarez (hand) has been sidelined to begin the season, slashing .333/.375/.567 with a home run, five RBI, two runs and a 2:7 BB:K in 32 plate appearances. However, with Alvarez currently in the midst of a rehab assignment and perhaps in line to return from the IL during the upcoming week, Torrens will soon be headed to a reserve role.

Senga (2-1) tossed seven scoreless frames in a win over the Athletics on Sunday, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out four.

Senga needed just 79 pitches to complete seven frames and ended his day with back-to-back punchouts against Seth Brown and Gio Urshela. Sunday's outing matched Senga's longest scoreless outing in the majors and he's now working on a 13-inning scoreless streak. Senga owns a 1.06 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB in 17 innings and will look to keep things rolling in a home matchup versus St. Louis this week.

Wheeler (1-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three in six innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.

Wheeler blanked the Cardinals through three frames, but Willson Contreras was able to open up the scoring with a two-run blast in the fourth. The Cardinals tacked on two more in the sixth with three doubles in the inning. After a hot start to the year, Wheeler has allowed nine runs over his last two starts. His three strikeouts were the fewest in a start since he had two May 12 last year. Sunday was also the first time Wheeler has gone consecutive outings without a quality start since June 25 and July 1 in 2023. The 35-year-old righty is lined up for an excellent bounce back opportunity at home against the Marlins this week.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's win over the Phillies.

Walker connected on a two-run missile in the eighth that traveled 112 mph off the bat to put the Cardinals ahead 7-0. It was his second home run and also his only other extra-base hit so far this season. The 24-year-old is slashing .275/.351/.392 with six RBI, five runs, two steals and a 5:16 BB:K in 57 plate appearances thus far. He's looked more comfortable at the dish and showed Sunday how hard he can hit the ball when making solid contact.