MLB Player News

The Marlins optioned Maldonado to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado's latest stint in the majors lasted just one day, and he was roughed up for four runs over one inning in his appearance. Matt Andriese will take his spot in the bullpen.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and two walks in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Freeman put the Dodgers ahead with a three-run blast in the bottom of the first and proceeded to reach base four times in the contest in a losing effort. It was the first baseman's 13th long ball of the season and the fourth in his last 15 games. Over that latter stretch he's batting .327 (18-for-55) with 14 RBI and 10 runs scored. Freeman has also recorded multiple hits in back-to-back games and in three of his last four.

The Pirates recalled Palacios from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Palacios got a late start to the season at Indianapolis due to injury, but he collected a .934 OPS since returning last month. It's possible Palacios will get some run in the outfield with the Pirates struggling to find production from the center and right field spots, but he will begin Thursday's game versus the Cardinals on the bench.

Mena did not factor into the decision in a win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over three innings while striking out two.

Mena got off to a brutal start, allowing the first two batters to reach before surrendering back-to-back home runs in the opening frame. The right-hander then hurled two scoreless frames before being relieved by Bryce Jarvis to open the fourth, though the former also issued two walks over that final stretch, in addition to being charged with a balk. It was an uninspiring debut for the 21-year-old Mena, though perhaps Arizona will take it with a grain of salt considering the lineup he was up against in his first major-league start.

The Pirates placed Jones on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a strained right lat, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The injury caused Jones to be removed early from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals. It does not appear to be a significant strain, but the Pirates undoubtedly will exercise caution with the talented young right-hander. Luis Ortiz would seem to be a good bet to slide into the Pirates' rotation in Jones' place.

Stone did not factor into the decision in a loss to Arizona on Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings while striking out three.

Stone battled with Arizona's lineup from the jump, allowing three of the first four batters to reach in the opening frame before allowing another three baserunners in the second. He then surrendered three runs on four hits in the third, including a two-run homer off the bat of Gabriel Moreno as the Diamondbacks evened the score at 4-4. The right-hander would not return for the fourth after needing 77 pitches to get through three frames, marking his shortest outing since April 7 against the Cubs. Stone had gone at least five innings in 11 consecutive starts coming in, though he's now walked multiple batters in five of his last six.

Olivares is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cardinals.

Olivares started in Wednesday's win over St. Louis in the cleanup spot but went hitless. Connor Joe is drawing the start in right field for the series finale Thursday.

Siani is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

With southpaw Martin Perez on the hill for the Pirates, the left-handed hitting Siani will begin the contest on the bench. Switch-hitter Dylan Carlson will patrol center field for the Cardinals.

Gorman is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Left-hander Martin Perez is drawing the start on the mound for the Pirates, so the lefty-hitting Gorman will begin this one on the bench. Jose Fermin will occupy second base for the Cardinals.

Senga (shoulder/triceps) struck out six over 2.2 scoreless innings in his first rehab start with High-A Brooklyn on Wednesday.

The only runner to reach base against Senga did so on an error, and he induced two groundouts in addition to his six punchouts. It was an encouraging performance from Senga, who threw 35 pitches over his 2.2 frames. He will need at least a couple more rehab starts before rejoining the Mets' rotation for his season debut.