MLB Player News

Alvarado picked up the save Sunday against Atlanta. He pitched a clean inning with one strikeout.

Alvarado took the mound in the ninth for the Phillies against Atlanta for the first save opportunity of Philadelphia's season. He quickly retired all three batters faced. The save is reassuring after he yielded five runs in two-thirds of an inning Opening Day. Alvarado appears to be the leading saves candidate in a Phillies bullpen loaded with options between him, Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto.

The Cardinals recalled King from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

The left-hander missed out on St. Louis' Opening Day roster but will join the big club since Riley O'Brien (forearm) is headed to the injured list. King posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB across 37.1 innings between the Rangers and Cardinals last season.

O'Brien was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a flexor strain in his right forearm.

O'Brien struck out two and allowed a run on a hit and two walks over one inning during his season debut Thursday, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks. John King was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

The left-hander was called up Opening Day and picked up an extra-inning save Thursday, and he also delivered a scoreless frame Saturday. Hernandez will head back to Indianapolis since Roansy Contreras is returning from the paternity list.

Junis (shoulder) is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Twins, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Junis threw four innings and 4.2 innings on March 10 and March 16, respectively, but he missed his last scheduled spring appearance due to a shoulder issue. It's quite possible Junis fails to log five-plus innings in this start. Junis had 10 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP in 10.2 innings this spring.

Ramirez received a three-game suspension Sunday for throwing intentionally at Rhys Hoskins on Saturday, but the right-hander will remain available as he appeals the ban, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The suspension hardly comes as a surprise after Ramirez was ejected Saturday for throwing behind Hoskins, which stemmed from a benches-clearing incident Friday after Hoskins slid late into Jeff McNeil at second base. Ramirez will be available to pitch until the appeals process plays out.

The Marlins optioned Cronin to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

The right-hander earned a place on Miami's Opening Day roster and appeared in two of the first three games, but he's now being sent to Triple-A. Cronin allowed one unearned run on three hits with a 4:3 K:BB across four innings, which should give him a chance to rejoin the big club later in the season.

The Phillies recalled Nelson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

The right-hander was optioned to the minors late in camp but will join the major-league club Sunday since Luis Ortiz (ankle) is headed to the injured list. Nelson made just one appearance for the Phillies last season and should fill a low-leverage role, likely as a long reliever, now that he's up in the majors.

Cuas pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts in Saturday's loss to the Rangers.

Starter Kyle Hendricks was tagged for five runs while reliever Ben Brown gave up six, but Cuas was effective against a tough Texas lineup. The righty struck out 71 batters across 65.1 innings last season, and if he can continue to miss bats at a high rate, he may see more high-leverage work as the year goes on.

The Phillies placed Ortiz on the 15-day injured list due to a left ankle sprain Sunday.

The right-hander suffered the injury during Saturday's loss to Atlanta and will be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks. Nick Nelson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill Ortiz's spot in the bullpen.