MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Naughton to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Naughton's stay with the big club lasted just one day after the Cardinals designated him as their 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Mets. He appeared in relief in the Cardinals' 3-1 loss in Game 1, striking out one batter over 1.2 scoreless innings.

The Mets optioned Medina to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Medina was removed from the active roster after he served as the Mets' 27th man in Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals. He tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of long relief behind starter Taijuan Walker in Game 2, striking out two while allowing four baserunners. Prior to his call-up, Medina made two of his four appearances with Syracuse out of the bullpen, but he could step into a more permanent role in the rotation in his return to Triple-A. Syracuse should have an opening with David Peterson expected to be called up this weekend to replace the injured Max Scherzer (oblique) in the big-league rotation.

The Diamondbacks optioned Gilbert to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

The move was expected after Gilbert was designated as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Dodgers. He started the first game of the twin bill, taking the loss after giving up six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings.

Jackson (elbow) will receive a $3.6 million contract for 2022 after losing his arbitration case with Atlanta on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Jackson suffered a torn UCL late in spring training and underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-April. The right-hander will miss the entire 2022 season and should also be unavailable early in 2023.

Chavez (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as Atlanta fell to the Brewers, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit while only recording one out.

Kenley Jansen and Darren O'Day each blew saves in the ninth and 10th innings as Atlanta couldn't put the game away, and after Chavez got the final out of the 10th, he completed the bullpen collapse by serving up a leadoff blast to Keston Hiura in the bottom of the 11th. Chavez remains in a low-leverage role and has yet to record a win, save or hold through 11 appearances, with his 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP offering little fantasy value.

Ottavino struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to record his third hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

The veteran righty got pressed into emergency duty in the sixth inning after Max Scherzer (side) removed himself from the game, and Ottavino was sharp in protecting the Mets' lead. A couple rough outings have left him with a 4.30 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 14.2 innings on the season, but Ottavino has an impressive 34.8 percent strikeout rate -- his best mark since 2018 -- and a 9.1 percent walk rate that would be his lowest since 2016, if he can keep up the pace.

Finnegan struck out one in a perfect eighth inning Wednesday to record his fifth hold of the season in an extra-inning win over the Marlins.

While the right-hander did his job in a setup role, closer Tanner Rainey didn't, coughing up a run that sent the game to extras. Rainey has been tagged for runs in three straight appearances and blown two straight save chances, and if he continues to stumble, Finnegan could get another look in the ninth inning after he rung up 11 saves in 2021. The 30-year-old has had a couple shaky spells himself this season, but he carries a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and career bests in strikeout rate (28.1 percent) and walk rate (8.8 percent) through 14.1 innings.

Martinez scattered two hits and struck out six over four scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Phillies.

The 31-year-old lost his spot in the rotation after Blake Snell returned from a groin injury, but Martinez turned in his best performance of the season in his first relief stint. MacKenzie Gore is also in a similar situation, but if Martinez continues to excel as a long man it might actually hurt his chances of regaining a starting role should one open up, if the Padres decide they don't want to mess with a good thing. On the season, he sports a 3.89 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB through 34.2 innings.

Arano worked a perfect 10th inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander didn't walk or strike out anyone and needed only nine pitches (six strikes) to get through the heart of Miami's order. Arano is having a solid comeback this season after not pitching in the majors since 2019, posting a 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB through 16.2 innings with two holds, and he could begin to see more consistent high-leverage work in a Nationals bullpen that remains unsettled.

Rainey (1-1) was charged with his second blown save of the season but picked up the win in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Marlins, giving up a run on a hit and two walks in one inning of relief. He struck out one.

With the Nationals ahead 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Rainey got the call but quickly loaded the bases with one out before a Jazz Chisholm sacrifice fly tied the game. Rainey has now blown his last two save opportunities and given up runs in three straight appearances after maintaining a 0.00 ERA through his first eight games. On the season, the right-hander now sports a 3.38 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 10.2 innings, and if he continues to struggle, it could open the door for someone like Kyle Finnegan to get a look in the closer role.