MLB Player News

Bednar (2-1) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four across two innings to earn the win Monday against the Dodgers.

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with preserving a one-run lead. However, he surrendered three hits -- including a pair of doubles -- to allow the Dodgers to take a one-run lead. After the Pirates rallied in the ninth frame, Bednar remained in the game and worked around another extra-base knock to secure his second win of the season. The effort ended a stretch of eight scoreless appearances for Bednar, though he still has an excellent 1.38 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 35:5 K:BB across 26 innings for the season.

Bukauskas (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session May 27, Jake Rill and Jack Sommers of MLB.com report.

Bukauskas is working his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain sustained in mid-March and is currently on the 60-day injured list. It's similar to an injury teammate Taylor Clarke had last season, which sidelined him for more than seven weeks.

Kimbrel (0-1) blew the save and took the loss against the Pirates on Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning.

Kimbrel was called upon to seal the win after the Dodgers stormed from behind to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. The veteran closer was unable to come through, notching his first blown save as a Dodger when Pittsburgh scored twice on him in the ninth. The first run came as the result of a walk, wild pitch and single, and the second was caused by a Freddie Freeman error. Kimbrel is still 10-for-11 in save chances on the campaign, though his 4.80 ERA isn't inspiring. He has struggled of late, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) over his past seven appearances covering 6.1 innings.

Pallante (1-0) earned the win Monday versus the Padres. He allowed one run on five hits with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Packy Naughton turned in a solid showing as the opener, while Pallante worked in bulk relief Monday. The only damage on Pallante's line was an Austin Nola RBI single in the sixth inning. The right-hander saw his 10.1-inning scoreless streak end, but he's emerged as a capable innings-eater in the Cardinals' bullpen. He has a 1.07 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 18:10 K:BB and four holds through 25.1 innings in 17 appearances.

Hader logged scoreless innings to earn saves in both games of Monday's doubleheader versus the Cubs.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out three in a 7-6 win in the matinee, then added another strikeout in a perfect inning to close out the nightcap. It's rare to see a closer pitch in both games of a doubleheader, but it makes sense for manager Craig Counsell to turn to Hader whenever necessary. The 28-year-old has logged a save in each of his 18 appearances this year, and he's yet to give up a run. He's allowed just four hits with a 26:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings as one of the best closers in baseball.

Martinez (2-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

Martinez began the outing with a pair of scoreless frames before Nolan Gorman took him deep for a two-run shot in the third inning. He later allowed an RBI single to Tommy Edman in the fifth. Martinez has given up 10 runs over his last 19 innings (4.74 ERA) but Monday was his first loss since April 22. It's unclear if he'll get another turn in the rotation with Mike Clevinger (triceps) expected to return this week.

Naughton allowed one run on two hits as the opener in Monday's win over the Padres. He struck out four across 2.1 frames.

The 26-year-old southpaw worked through two scoreless frames before he was charged with a run on Jurickson Profar's RBI single off of Andre Pallante in the third. Naughton is sporting a 3.09 ERA with a 12:1 K:BB through 11.2 frames with St. Louis this season. If he gets another turn in the rotation, it would likely be this weekend in a road matchup with the Cubs.

Doval earned a save after he pitched one inning, surrendering an unearned run while striking out a batter in Monday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.

Called upon to protect a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the 10th inning, Doval allowed the inherited runner on second to score via a one-out sacrifice fly by Alec Bohm, but he held on to strike out Mickey Moniak to end the contest immediately after. The right-hander now has eight saves on the season, converting eight consecutive opportunities after blowing a save April 8 versus the Marlins. Doval has been a little shaky lately, giving up five runs (three earned) over his last 3.2 innings, but he still remains the favorite for saves with the Giants moving forward.

Hughes' contract was selected by the Cubs on Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hughes spent 11 days on the roster as a replacement player while the Cubs had players on the COVID-19 injured list, but he was removed from the roster Saturday. He's back again just two days later as a regular member of the roster, and the spot seems deserved given that he recorded a 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB in his seven innings of work earlier in the month.

Gsellman was designated for assignment Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Gsellman made eight appearances during his time on the roster, struggling to a 4.70 ERA while striking out just 14.1 percent of opposing batters. He's been a passable reliever for most of his career, so it's possible he gets claimed off waivers, but he's unlikely to find high-leverage work anywhere.