MLB Player News

Ferguson pitched one scoreless inning against Arizona on Monday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter. He was credited with a hold.

Ferguson underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2020 and recently completed a minor-league rehab assignment. He was called up Monday and handled the seventh inning, keeping the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard while protecting a three-run lead. The left-handed hurler was a key piece of the Dodgers' bullpen in 2020, posting a 2.89 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 18.2 innings during the abbreviated campaign. He could stick with the big club if he pitches well.

The Mets recalled Medina from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Medina is being designated as the 27th man for the twin bill and is thus likely to return to Syracuse after the twin bill, though the Mets could opt to keep him around in the big leagues if the team prefers to move another pitcher down to the minors or to the injured list Wednesday. At least for the doubleheader, Medina will give the Mets an option out of the bullpen capable of covering multiple innings behind Trevor Williams and Taijuan Walker, who will start Games 1 and 2, respectively.

The Cardinals recalled Naughton from Triple-A Memphis and designated him as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader with the Mets, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Naughton won't be in line to start either end of the twin bill, but he'll at least provide a multi-inning option out of the bullpen behind Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, who take the hill for Games 1 and 2, respectively. The 26-year-old southpaw has made five appearances (one start) for St. Louis in 2022, working 7.2 innings while giving up three earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven.

With Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) getting placed on the 60-day injured list, it would seem that Junis has a better chance of sticking in the rotation over the next month.

DeSclafani won't be eligible to return until late June, and while the Giants usually have viable options for rotation depth, Junis should be able to stick in the rotation if he continues to pitch well over the next month. He has a 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 20.2 innings over four starts.

Hader struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his 14th save of the season in a 1-0 win over Atlanta.

Atlanta batters were only able to make contact with one of the 15 pitches Hader threw -- a foul ball off the bat of Austin Riley on a 98.3-mph sinker. Hader remains one of the most dominant relievers in the game, and he has yet to be charged with a run this season while giving up only two hits in 13.1 innings with a 21:5 K:BB.

Gilbert will be called up from Triple-A Reno and is listed as the Diamondbacks' starting pitcher for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Dodgers.

Arizona will likely designate Gilbert as the 27th man for the twin bill before sending him back out to Reno immediately after the start, his second of the season and third outing overall at the big-league level in 2022. Between his previous two appearances, Gilbert struck out six and allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks over 8.2 innings. However, he's been much less productive over a larger sample of 14.2 innings at Triple-A this season, logging an 11.60 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB across four starts.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Melancon remains the team's closer, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Recent performances prompted Lovullo to review Melancon's work, which included three losses and a blown save over a one-week stretch. "Melancon's our closer," Lovullo said. "If you look at the full body of work, he's saved seven games for us. He's had some hiccups. Every closer has them." It should be noted that Melancon has converted seven of eight save chances, and the worst of his results have come when pitching in non-save situations.

Kimbrel notched a save against the Diamondbacks on Monday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two batters over one inning.

Kimbrel made things interesting while protecting a three-run lead, serving up a two-run homer to David Peralta that brought Arizona within a run. The veteran nonetheless managed to close the door to notch his sixth save in six chances this season. The homer was the first Kimbrel has given up as a Dodger, and this was the first time he has allowed a run since his first appearance of the campaign.

Doval earned the save against the Rockies on Monday, tossing a scoreless inning during which he allowed one walk and struck out one batter.

After the Giants pulled ahead with a run in the top of the ninth frame, Doval was asked to protect the lead against the heart of the Rockies' order. He walked C.J. Cron with one out but retired the following two batters to close out the contest. Doval extended his streak of appearances with at least one strikeout to 13 games, and he converted his sixth consecutive save opportunity. He appears to be firmly entrenched in his role as San Francisco's closer.

Wilson allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in Monday's loss to the Cubs. He struck out eight and did not factor in the decision.

Wilson entered the game in the first inning with two outs and bases loaded after Dillon Peters was chased early. He didn't fare much better, failing to retire any of the first five batters he faced while also serving up a grand slam to Willson Contreras. The 24-year-old is sporting a 5.67 ERA and a 22:12 K:BB through 27 frames. Wilson is expected to face the Cardinals at home this weekend.