MLB Player News

Diaz allowed two runs on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in one inning, earning the save in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

Diaz gave up a two-run home run to Juan Yepez in the ninth inning, but the Cardinals couldn't manufacture a tying run. This was the fourth time in his last 10 outings Diaz has given up at least one run, surrendering seven in that span. He's posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB across 29 innings overall. He's 2-0 with two saves and eight holds, so he should be expected to see more of a setup role within the Reds' broader closer committee.

Smith was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Smith has been on the active roster for two brief stints this season, allowing six runs across two innings of relief work. He'll likely be limited to low-leverage work during his time with the team. Tyler Kinley (elbow) hit the injured list in a corresponding move.

Kinley hit the 15-day injured list with a right elbow ulnar nerve injury Sunday.

Kinley has had an excellent start to the season, cruising to an 0.75 ERA in 24 innings of relief. The move was backdated to Thursday, meaning Kinley will be eligible to return June 24, but it's unclear if a minimum-length absence is in play. Chad Smith was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Hicks (forearm) felt "great" after a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Hicks has been sidelined with a flexor injury since late May. He doesn't have a precise return date, but he's trending in the right direction. He still has several steps to go before returning from the injured list, however, especially as he wasn't quite throwing at his full velocity for most of Sunday's session.

Alvarado was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Alvarado was demoted in late May after posting a 7.62 ERA and 15.4 percent walk rate to start the season, but four scoreless minor-league appearances in which he walked just a single batter was apparently all the Phillies needed to see to bring him back. Cristopher Sanchez was optioned in a corresponding move.

Knehr was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

He tossed 4.2 scoreless innings during mop-up duty Saturday against the Rockies, and he will head back down until the Padres have need of another fresh bullpen arm. Kyle Tyler takes Knehr's spot in the bullpen.

Thompson will make his first career start Monday against the Pirates, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Thompson made his big-league debut in early June against the Cubs, allowing one run across four innings of relief work. The extent to which Monday's opportunity is an audition for a permanent rotation role isn't entirely clear, as the Cardinals needed an extra starter ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader and will be getting Jack Flaherty back from his shoulder injury fairly soon. That said, the 2019 first-round pick comes with a fair amount of prospect pedigree and struck out 30.1 percent of the batters he faced across 10 starts for Triple-A Memphis this season, so it's very possible he makes his case to remain in the rotation.

Doval (2-2) was credited with the win Saturday versus the Dodgers. He walked one and struck out two in two-thirds of a scoreless inning.

Sam Long started the game with three scoreless innings before turning the ball over to the bullpen. While Tyler Rogers was effective in two scoreless innings, Doval was rewarded with the win for escaping a two-on, one-out jam in the eighth inning before Jose Alvarez converted the save. Through 25.1 innings, Doval owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 29:10 K:BB, eight saves and a hold. He remains the Giants' top high-leverage arm, though games like Saturday's serve as a reminder that manager Gabe Kapler doesn't adhere strictly to defined roles for his relievers.

McGowan had Tommy John surgery in April and is on the 60-day injured list at High-A Jersey Shore, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

Given the timing of the surgery, McGowan will miss the rest of this season and at least a month or two of the 2023 season.

Garcia is on the 7-day injured list at High-A Jersey Shore with a hamate injury, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

He hasn't played since April 19 and had 13 strikeouts in his first nine games of the season. It doesn't sound like Garcia's season is in jeopardy, but he probably sustained a fracture given how much time he has missed.