MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Rochester after Sunday's 3-0 win over the Giants.

Alvarez was called up from Rochester ahead of Sunday's series finale and played a pivotal role while working out of the bullpen. The southpaw tossed the final 4.1 innings of the team's combined shutout of the Giants, allowing three hits while striking out five en route to earning the win. Alvarez posted a 2.31 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over 23.1 innings in five starts with the Nationals in 2025, and considering how well he pitched Sunday, he likely won't have to wait long for another shot with the big-league club. In the meantime, Alvarez will slot back into the rotation at Rochester.

Carroll is dealing with lower-back tightness after leaving Sunday's contest against Toronto in the fifth inning, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Carroll appeared to be in some discomfort while in the field after striking out swinging in the bottom of the third frame, and it is now understood to be the result of a lower-back issue. With Arizona trailing 10-1, there was no reason for the team to keep the outfielder in the game Sunday. More information on his status moving forward will likely be provided ahead of Monday's team day off.

Cleavinger (calf) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, walking three and giving up a three-run home run in one-third of an inning.

Cleavinger, who's recovering from right calf tightness, wasn't sharp in his first game action since March 30. The Rays will presumably want the southpaw to get a few rehab outings under his belt to knock off the rust before they consider reinstating him from the injured list, likely positioning Cleavinger for a return in late April if all goes well in his subsequent appearances at Triple-A.

Carroll exited Sunday's contest against the Blue Jays in the fifth inning due to an undisclosed issue, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Carroll was replaced in right field by Jorge Barrosa to open the top of the fifth inning. It's unclear what exactly forced Carroll to exit early, but the outfielder did appear to come up lame after striking out in his final at-bat of the day in the bottom of the third inning. An official diagnosis and status update will likely come in the near future.

Reynolds went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Rays.

It was Reynolds' fourth multi-RBI effort of the season already. The corner outfielder entered Sunday in a brief 0-for-13 dry spell over his past four appearances, so it was a breakout performance of sorts as well. Reynolds is off to a fine start overall in 2026, slashing a healthy .266/.392/.418 with five extra-base hits, 15 RBI, 15 runs scored and 16 walks through his first 97 plate appearances.

McClanahan (1-2) took the loss Sunday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

While he did keep the ball in the yard Sunday, McClanahan was touched up for a season-high eight knocks and a season-worst four runs allowed. It was encouraging to see the left-hander throw a season-high 90 pitches, but he's still yet to work past the fifth inning in any of his first four starts of 2026. Although he boasts an excellent .191 opponent batting average over 18 frames so far this year, McClanahan will be looking to improve upon his 5.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB his next time out versus the Twins.

Sandoval (elbow) returned to Boston on Sunday to be re-evaluated after experiencing left biceps tightness coming out of his most recent rehab start, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sandoval had been lined up to make his third rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, but he instead ended up being scratched after the biceps discomfort surfaced. The Red Sox are still gathering more information about the severity of Sandoval's setback, but even if the biceps injury proves to be a minor concern, it likely ends any chance the southpaw might have had at returning from the 15-day injured list before the end of April. After undergoing an internal brace surgery on his left elbow in June 2024, Sandoval was shaky for Worcester in his first game action in just under two years. Between his two rehab starts, Sandoval turned in a 8.44 ERA, 2.55 WHIP and 4:7 K:BB while also hitting three batters over 5.1 innings.

Keller (2-1) notched the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out five.

It was perhaps a season-best performance by the right-hander, who recorded season-high figures in innings and strikeouts. Keller has done a fine job of providing length for the Pirates so far in 2026, tossing at least six innings in four of his five starts. He'll bring a strong 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB over his first 29 frames into his next outing, which is currently projected to come against the division-rival Brewers.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Javier (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."

Hunter Brown is facing a similar timeline for a return after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain April 5 before Javier went down with the exact same injury in his start three days later. Javier remains in the midst of a no-throw program and is expected to be re-evaluated later on during the upcoming week before the Astros decide on his next steps. Even if Javier gets the green light to start playing catch following his re-evaluation, he looks like he'll require at least a month to get fully stretched back out. A more definitive target date for Javier's return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Brown (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."

Cristian Javier is facing a similar timeline for a return after both he and Brown sustained Grade 2 right shoulder strains within less than a week of one another. Shortly after Brown was diagnosed with the injury April 5, the Astros indicated that the right-hander would be shut down from throwing for two weeks before being re-evaluated, so he could be cleared to start playing light catch at some point in the coming days. Even so, Brown will be in line for a lengthy buildup, and a more definitive target date for his return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment.