MLB Player News

The MRI on Alvarado's left elbow has come back negative, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado is dealing with inflammation, which forced him to the injured list earlier Wednesday, but fortunately he does not have any structural damage. He will be shut down for a few days before being re-evaluated. Gelb writes that the Phillies plan to "take it slow" with the reliever, so it seems likely to be longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Craig Kimbrel is the favorite to close for Philadelphia while Alvarado is shelved.

Hernandez (shoulder) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list by the Mets on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Michael Perez with Perez having his contract purchased from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Hernandez has missed the entirety of the 2023 season because of a right shoulder strain, and he isn't expected to be ready to return until the middle of the summer.

Johnson picked up the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Pirates. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning scoreless inning.

Johnson worked around a walk and a two-out double to close out a one-run victory and earn his sixth save this season. The 32-year-old Johnson is now a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities despite a subpar 4.40 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. Johnson has been the Rockies' primary closer, while Daniel Bard works lower-leverage situations. Even if Johnson can hold off Bard in the ninth inning, it's hard to put extra faith in a reliever pitching in Coors Field for a last-place Rockies squad.

Heuer (elbow) is scheduled for a third minor-league rehab appearance Friday with Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Heuer struggled in his rehab debut Saturday with Iowa before striking out two of three batters he faced in his second rehab outing Tuesday. The 26-year-old reliever is on the long road back from Tommy John surgery and should be an option for the Cubs' bullpen at the end of this month. He's on the 60-day IL and isn't eligible for activation until May 29.

Hughes (knee) threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes said he felt good during and after the workout, and the Cubs are expected to provide an update Thursday on the next step forward for the rehabbing reliever. He's made only five major-league appearances this season due to lingering left knee inflammation.

Lee will serve as Atlanta's opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Lee will pitch the first inning or two for Atlanta as the club navigates its first turn through the rotation without Max Fried (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. In 17 appearances thus far, Lee has pitched well with a 2.81 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB over 16 innings. Atlanta doesn't have a clear designated bulk reliever to work behind Lee, but Collin McHugh and Michael Tonkin should both be able to give the club multiple innings, if necessary.

Alvarado, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation, underwent an MRI that is currently being reviewed, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

More clarity on Alvarado's condition is expected to be available soon, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson admitted that he's "a little concerned, for sure," about the closer's health. Alvarado has been arguably the best reliever in baseball this season with a 1.88 ERA and 24:0 K:BB over 14.1 innings. Craig Kimbrel looks like the top candidate to close for the Phillies while Alvarado is away, with perhaps Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm also in the mix.

The Brewers optioned Sousa to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Sousa's demotion came one day after he was tagged for two earned runs on two hits and one walk over 1.2 innings out of the bullpen in his Brewers debut in Monday's 9-3 win over the Dodgers. Though he'll now head back to Triple-A, Sousa should be near the top of the list for a promotion the next time the Brewers are in need of another lefty arm in the bullpen.

Pomeranz (arm) will join Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Pomeranz opened the season on the 15-day injured list while he continued to recover from left elbow flexor tendon surgery, and though he started up a rehab assignment April 18, he made just three appearances before being shut down after experiencing renewed discomfort in his surgically repaired arm. He was idle for about a week before he resumed throwing again, and he now appears ready to test himself in a competitive setting. Expect Pomeranz to make at least a couple of appearances for El Paso before the Padres consider activating him.

Alvarado was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation.

Alvarado was unavailable to pitch Tuesday versus the Blue Jays due to left wrist tightness and that discomfort has now seemingly migrated to his elbow. An estimated recovery timetable was not immediately available. The move to the IL was made retroactive to Monday (May 8), so Alvarado will be eligible to return May 23 should he prove ready. Craig Kimbrel could handle the lion's share of the ninth-inning opportunities while Alvarado is out.