MLB Player News

Tellez went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored Thursday against the Brewers.

Tellez hasn't gotten on track at the plate this season and now has only two hits across his last 28 at-bats. He's struck out seven times in that span, and he has only two barrels on 51 batted ball events for the season. The Pirates could ultimately opt to play Connor Joe at first base more regularly if Tellez's struggles continue, and the eventual return of Yasmani Grandal (foot) could also mean that Tellez will lose some plate appearances.

Ryan was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ryan has had success in the majors this season, maintaining a 3.00 ERA with a 13:5 K:BB across 12 innings. He threw 1.2 scoreless frames Thursday against the Brewers, so this move is likely just a roster shuffle to get a fresh arm in the Pirates' bullpen in the short term. No corresponding move was announced.

Merrill (groin) is expected to return to the lineup Friday against the Phillies, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Merrill was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's 10-9 loss to the Rockies, but his absence was deemed precautionary while he manages a groin issue. The rookie said after the game that feels fine and is adjusting to the rigors of the MLB schedule. While Merrill is expected to return Friday, it will be worth confirming that he's included in the lineup as San Diego opens a three-game series with Philadelphia.

India started at designated hitter and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Phillies.

India, who made his first appearance since Saturday after dealing with an illness, went hitless for the seventh time in the last nine contests. He entered the game in a 4-for-42 slump over the past 13 games.

Elder is slated to start Sunday's game against the Guardians in Atlanta.

Elder staged a successful 2024 MLB debut Monday, holding the Marlins scoreless over 6.2 innings while striking out four and allowing nine baserunners in a winning effort. He joined the Atlanta rotation as a replacement for Darius Vines and should have some staying power with the big club due to Spencer Strider (elbow) being out for the season. Elder compiled a 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 128:63 K:BB across 174.2 innings with Atlanta in 2023.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Paxton's next start will be at Arizona on Monday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Paxton would be on regular rest Sunday after he started Tuesday's game against the Nationals, but the Dodgers will go with a bullpen game Sunday in Toronto and give Paxton an extra day of rest. The southpaw has managed a 2.61 ERA but a 1.55 WHIP and 11:17 K:BB through 20.2 innings this season.

Martinez (0-1) took the loss against the Phillies on Thursday, allowing five runs on 11 hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Four of the runs against Martinez came in the third inning, including two on a Bryce Harper home run. After starting the season in the Reds' rotation, Martinez found more success when shifted back to the bullpen, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings in a pair of long-relief appearances. Still, he'll likely make one more start, currently scheduled for Tuesday in San Diego against his former team, with Frankie Montas (forearm) on the IL. The 33-year-old Martinez now sports a 5.48 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB across 23 innings this year.

Harper went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Thursday's 5-0 win over Cincinnati.

After missing Philadelphia's last three games while on the paternity list, Harper returned with a bang Thursday, launching a two-run homer off Nick Martinez to extend the Phillies lead to 4-0 in the third inning. After a slow start to the year, Harper's starting to turn it around at the plate -- he's hit safely in his last seven games, going 10-for-24 with two home runs and nine RBI in that span. He's boosted his slash line to .256/.347/.488 with five homers and 16 RBI across 22 games this season.

Wheeler (2-3) earned the win Thursday against the Reds, allowing one hit and four walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Wheeler's allowed just one hit in consecutive starts, as he's held opponents scoreless in 13.1 straight innings, posting 16 strikeouts in that span. The 33-year-old right-hander has arguably been the top fantasy starting option early in the season -- he lowered his ERA to 1.93 with a 0.88 WHIP and 46:11 K:BB through six starts (37.1 innings). Wheeler will look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a road matchup early next week against the Angels.

The Nationals activated Garrett (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Garrett had just had his rehab assignment moved from Double-A Harrisburg to Rochester, and the Nats have elected to keep him there for a while longer. Coming back from reconstructive surgery on his left ankle, Garrett has gone 7-for-31 with a 9:7 K:BB over 40 plate appearances so far on his rehab assignment. The 28-year-old should be back with the Nationals soon enough, particularly with Lane Thomas (knee) out indefinitely, but the club wants Garrett to get back into a rhythm in the minors first.