MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Fernandez was up as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader in Cincinnati and turned in a stellar two-inning appearance in the second game, retiring all six batters he faced (four via strikeout). This is likely to be a temporary move, as Fernandez is a good bet to be recalled once Brycen Mautz is sent down following a spot start Sunday. Fernandez is having a nice bounce-back season out of the Cards' bullpen, posting a 1.17 ERA and 13:2 K:BB over 7.2 innings.

Soto was scratched from the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Marlins after falling ill, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Soto was initially slated to serve as the designated hitter and bat third but will take a seat Sunday while he appears to be the latest victim of the flu-like illness that has been spreading around in the Mets clubhouse. MJ Melendez will operate as the team's DH while A.J. Ewing moves up the third spot in the lineup.

The Brewers recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Rodriguez appeared in two April games before being sent down to Triple-A, but the right-hander will get another chance with the big club after Robert Gasser was optioned to Nashville. Across eight games (five starts) in Triple-A this season, Rodriguez has an 8.03 ERA, 2.44 WHIP and 26:21 K:BB across 24.2 innings.

The Brewers optioned Gasser to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Gasser was recalled to the majors May 17 but struggled in two starts for the Brewers, allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and six walks while striking out seven across 8.1 innings. He's been better in the minors this season (3.74 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 21.2 innings in Triple-A), so he'll head back to Nashville to work on his command issues. Right-hander Carlos Rodriguez was recalled in a corresponding move.

General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Jones (elbow) will return to Pittsburgh and throw a bullpen session Tuesday before the Pirates determine whether he'll return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After making his previous two rehab starts at Double-A Altoona, Jones shifted his minor-league assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, when he tossed 76 pitches (47 strikes) while allowing three runs on two hits and three walks with six strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Jones missed all of last season due to a UCL injury in his right elbow that required surgery in May, but he's looked strong across his five rehab starts, logging a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings. If Jones checks out fine following Tuesday's side session, he could be activated from the IL as soon as Thursday.

The Cardinals recalled Mautz from Triple-A Memphis ahead of his start against the Reds on Sunday.

St. Louis needed another starter after Saturday's doubleheader against Cincinnati and will turn to Mautz to make his major-league debut in Sunday's series finale. The 24-year-old southpaw was named the Cardinals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 after a strong season with Double-A Springfield and has pitched well in Triple-A this season, sporting a 2.90 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 43:24 K:BB across 40.1 innings. Matt Svanson was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Svanson will be moved off the 26-man active roster as the Cardinals make room for their starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Reds, Brycen Mautz, who was called up from Triple-A. Though he looked like a candidate to earn a high-leverage role in the St. Louis bullpen coming out of spring training, Svanson squandered that opportunity after posting a 8.77 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 26:15 K:BB across 25.2 innings to begin the season. He'll look to iron out his command issues in the minors.

Muncy (wrist) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Brewers on Sunday.

Muncy will end up sitting for the last two games of the weekend series against Milwaukee after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch in Friday's contest. Miguel Rojas will draw the start at the hot corner and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale.

Smith is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Brewers on Sunday.

Smith will be on the bench for the second time in three games while Dalton Rushing starts behind home plate and bats seventh. Since May 1, Smith has gone 12-for-57 (.211) with one home run and five RBI.

Dunn batted leadoff and went 2-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against St. Louis.

After batting seventh in the matinee and going 1-for-3, Dunn played hero in extra innings in the nightcap. He made a sliding catch in the top of the 11th to save a run, and then walked off the Cardinals in the bottom of the inning when his fielder's choice against five infielders plated the winning run. He was getting his first crack at leading off for the Reds, who have been cycling through several players since TJ Friedl was removed from those duties. Prior to Saturday's second game, Matt McLain, Will Benson and JJ Bleday had all been deployed atop the order of late. Dunn has hit safely in six consecutive starts, going 10-for-23 with two extra-base hits and one RBI during that stretch.