MLB Player News

Martinez did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out three.

Martinez enters 2024 with a full-time spot in the Reds rotation after bouncing between around as a starter and reliever for the Padres last year. He did not look particularly sharp against a weak Nationals lineup, as he managed to generate only nine whiffs on his 90 pitches. However, if Martinez can come anywhere close to his production as starter last year, when he had a 2.32 ERA in 42.2 innings over nine starts, he can be useful in plenty of fantasy leagues. His next outing is scheduled to be against the Mets at home.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Reds.

Abrams went deep for the first time this season, hitting a monster 429-foot home run to center off Nick Martinez. The 23-year-old needed 19 games last season before hitting his first homer, so it's encouraging to see him find the bleachers in the Nationals' first series of 2024. Abrams and his team now return to Washington for two home series against the Pirates and Phillies this week.

Finnegan (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Sunday against the Reds. He allowed three runs on three hits and no walks with no strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning.

Finnegan began his outing Sunday by promptly generating two outs via lineouts and looked well on his way to a second save in as many days. However, the Reds lineup had a different idea as the next three batters each produced an extra-base hit. Finnegan yielded a double to Jonathan India, a game-tying homer to Will Benson and a walk-off homer to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Finnegan didn't have the strongest grip on the Nationals' closer job before this game, so keep an eye on this bullpen, as Hunter Harvey could easily enter the discussion for saves in Washington.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Irvin cruised through the first two innings of his start with three strikeouts while facing the minimum six batters. However, the Reds lineup broke through to post three runs on six hits over his final three innings. Irvin allowed plenty of hard contact, as all batted balls in the fourth and fifth innings were over 95 mph. However, he should be a mainstay in the Nationals rotation after making 24 starts for the team in 2023. Irvin's next outing is scheduled to be against the Phillies on the road.

Thomas exited Sunday's series finale with the Rockies due to left hamstring tightness, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Thomas was forced out of the contest in the third inning with what is now understood to be a hamstring injury. The outfielder will likely be considered day-to-day for the time being with the Diamondbacks starting a four-game series with the Yankees on Monday.

The Dodgers transferred Sheehan (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sheehan's move to the 60-day IL created a spot on the team's 40-man roster for Nabil Crismatt, whose contract was selected from Triple-A. The right-hander will now be sidelined until at least May 18 as he continues to work his way back from right forearm inflammation.

Hurt was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hurt opened the 2024 campaign on the major-league roster, appearing in two contests prior to being sent down Sunday. The right hander allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings, and he'll likely earn another shot with the Dodgers relatively soon. In a corresponding move, Nabil Crismatt will replace Hurt in the team's bullpen for the time being.

Crismatt had his contract selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Sunday's series finale with the Cardinals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Crismatt will join the Dodgers' bullpen as the team looks to take three out of four against St. Louis at home. The right-hander appeared in eight major-league contests last season with the Padres and Diamondbacks, producing a disappointing 8.31 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 13 innings. In a pair of corresponding moves, Kyle Hurt was sent down to Oklahoma City while Emmet Sheehan (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create a spot on the 40-man roster.

Contreras went 2-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mets.

Contreras also struck out twice and has already whiffed five times through 14 plate appearances after striking out at a 20.6 percent clip last season, but he's been productive the past two games with five hits. The 26-year-old tied for eighth in MLB last season with 38 doubles, and his pair of two-baggers Sunday were his first of the young campaign.

Payamps earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mets, retiring all three batters he faced with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

The 28-year-old notched a hold with a scoreless eighth inning Opening Day while Abner Uribe secured a save, but Uribe wasn't used Sunday after throwing the previous two days. Uribe already has two saves this season and appears to be manager Pat Murphy's first option for the ninth inning, but Payamps remains firmly in the mix for now, though it is too early to declare this closing situation settled.