MLB Player News

Payamps retired all three batters he faced in Wednesday's 1-0 win against San Diego to earn the save. He did not record a strikeout.

It's the second save of the season for Payamps but his first since March 31. Abner Uribe appeared to have a decent grip on the closer role but has worked earlier in games recently -- including the eighth inning Wednesday -- opening the door for Payamps to receive another save chance. The pair could split the ninth inning going forward, but the closing situation in Milwaukee hardly seems settled.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Bart was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Mets after the catcher wasn't feeling well leading up to game time, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

While elaborating on the matter, Shelton noted that Bart was hit in the head by a ball during batting practice a few days ago, but the Pirates had fully expected the 27-year-old to be ready to catch for Wednesday's series finale. However, in light of Bart being scratched prior to first pitch a few days after taking the hit to the head, it's possible that the catcher is dealing with symptoms of a concussion. The Pirates haven't explicitly said that Bart is in concussion protocol at this time, so he'll be considered day-to-day heading into this weekend's three-game series with the Red Sox.

Walker (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list after that, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies had said they wanted Walker to make four rehab starts before he returns from the IL, but he's made just two so far and the organization may have been pleased enough with his progress to bring him back early. It's not yet clear what day Walker might rejoin the rotation, but it might make sense to slot him in Monday and give Ranger Suarez an extra day of rest after he threw 112 pitches in a shutout Tuesday. Spencer Turnbull has pitched well while filling in for Walker, although he struggled a bit his last time out. He would likely be bumped from the rotation when Walker is ready, or the Phillies could keep a six-man starting staff intact temporarily. Walker is coming back from a right shoulder impingement.

Jones is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

The lefty-hitting Jones will get his first day off of the season, with a day game after a night game along with the fact that the Phillies are bringing a left-hander (Cristopher Sanchez) to the hill likely factoring into the Rockies' decision to hold him out of the lineup. Jones could probably benefit from the break from a mental standpoint as well, as he's gone 0-for-11 with five strikeouts against one walk over his last three starts.

Wilson allowed two hits and a walk across 3.2 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 1-0 win against the Padres. He struck out two and didn't factor in the decision.

The right-hander opened Wednesday's game for Milwaukee, and he threw 41 of 57 pitches for strikes as the first of five relievers that combined to shut out San Diego. It was Wilson's first start since 2022 with the Pirates, and he's excelled as a reliever for the Brewers over the past two seasons with a 2.85 ERA in 58 appearances. He should return to the relief role but could be an option for more spot starts as the campaign rolls on.

King (2-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers but struck out 10 and allowed a run on two hits and two walks over 7.2 innings.

King held Milwaukee without a hit until the seventh inning, but the lone run of the game was charged to him after he exited in the eighth, as the bullpen allowed an inherited runner to score. The 28-year-old generated 17 swinging strikes on 109 pitches, and he now has two starts this season of at least seven frames. King has a difficult draw for his next turn through the rotation, as he currently lines up to face the Rockies at Coors Field early next week.

Puk (illness) will start Thursday's game against the Cubs, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Puk was originally slated to make his fourth start of the season in Monday's series opener, but he had to be pushed back a couple times because he was under the weather. He was feeling better Wednesday, however, and played catch at LoanDepot Park to clear up any lingering concern about his availability to make his next turn through the rotation. The left-hander has struggled in his first three outings this season, putting up a 5.91 ERA and 8:14 K:BB over 10.2 innings of work. He could be at risk of moving to the bullpen once the Marlins get Braxton Garrett (shoulder) back from the injured list.

Candelario (illness) remains out of the lineup Wednesday in Seattle.

He'll give way to Santiago Espinal at third base for a second game in a row while he recovers from an illness. The Reds are off Thursday, so Candelario will have some additional time to shake off the ailment before Cincinnati opens its homestand Friday versus the Angels.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Seattle.

He'll be riding pine for the first time this season while Spencer Steer replaces him at first base and Stuart Fairchild steps in as the Reds' No. 3 hitter. Before an 0-for-4 showing in Tuesday's 3-1 loss, Encarnacion-Strand had delivered exactly two hits in four of his preceding six starts.

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

One of six relievers who worked in Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona, Palencia will be swapped off the 26-man active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in Hayden Wesneski, who was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move. Palencia had given up at least one run in each of his three relief appearances for Chicago this season and posted a 5:7 K:BB over six innings.