MLB Player News

The Mets recalled Reed from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Fellow reliever Stephen Nogosek was optioned to Syracuse in a corresponding move, allowing Reed to rejoin the big club for the first time this season. Over his four relief appearances at Syracuse, Reed gave up five earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings.

Hicks is no longer scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Orioles in St. Louis, with Steven Matz getting the nod instead, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals didn't provide an immediate explanation for the switch from Hicks to Matz, but it's conceivable that the former is dealing with an injury or illness that might have made him unavailable to pitch. Additional details regarding Hicks' absence should come within the next few hours, but for now, the right-hander projects to make his next start over the weekend against the Giants.

Jansen (1-0) earned the win after not allowing a hit across a scoreless ninth inning during Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Red Sox. He struck out two and walked one.

Jansen came on for the top of the ninth inning with the score tied 3-3 and kept it that way with another strong outing. The closer was then credited for his first win of the season after Orlando Arcia blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Jansen is a perfect 8-for-8 in save attempts and sports a 17:3 K:BB.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Melancon is having issues commanding his cutter, but he'll remain the team's closer following Wednesday's 11-3 loss to Miami, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. Melancon (0-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on three hits and one walk over two-thirds of the ninth inning.

The Diamondbacks had just tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to a Jordan Luplow two-run, pinch hit home run, but Melancon was ineffective in the ninth. It was the second time in three outings that Arizona's closer ceded four runs to an opponent. "I just think he's not commanding his cutter as good as we've seen him or as good as he expects," Lovullo said. "And it's putting him in a situation where he's maybe got to back off a bit and put it a little bit more in the middle of the plate. He's close, he's very close, but it all comes down to command with him." Melancon's ERA soared to 6.75 along with a 1.97 WHIP over 10.2 innings. Only four of his 32 outs are due to a strikeout, and Melancon sports an 8.7 K%.

Underwood (hamstring) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday.

Underwood also threw two scoreless innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on May 7, but his rehab assignment was transferred to Altoona given the geographic proximity to Pittsburgh. In total, he's thrown 4.2 innings while working back from the hamstring issue and will likely be activated from the injured list in the coming days. Underwood figures to occupy a high-leverage role in the Pirates' bullpen, but he won't be in the mix for saves without a number of injuries ahead of him.

Kranick allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one across three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Kranick followed Dillon Peters in a piggyback appearance, and he's now turned in five scoreless innings to begin his season. Kranick got a delayed start to the campaign after landing on the injured list with a forearm issue and has shuffled between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis since being activated. Kranick was in the big-league rotation for part of the 2021 season, so it's reasonable to expect he may get the chance to start at some point in the coming months.

Peters allowed two hits and struck out two across three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Peters served as the opener and rebounded from the four-run drubbing he received in his last outing. He served as an opener for the third time this season, and he's turned in 8.1 scoreless innings in the role. Peters has a strong 1.83 ERA across 19.2 frames to begin the campaign, though his 15:9 K:BB provides a less optimistic outlook for his future results.

Bednar did not allow a baserunner and struck out three across two innings to earn the save Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Chris Stratton and Wil Crowe combined to get through the seventh inning, so Bednar entered in the eighth frame. Even with his extended appearance, Bednar needed only 21 pitches to retire six batters and record his fifth save. Bednar appeared to be in line to share the closer role with Stratton, though he has now recorded each of the Pirates' last four saves. His performance this season indicates he's capable of holding the role, as he has a 1.15 ERA and 24:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings.

Martinez tossed four innings, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight in the loss to the Cubs on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Martinez surrendered a solo homer to Willson Contreras in the first inning before giving up four more runs in fourth frame. After allowing two or less runs in his last three starts, Martinez allowed a season-high five runs Wednesday. On a positive note, the eight punchouts were his highest total of 2022. Martinez now holds a 4.40 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 30 strikeouts over 30.2 innings in six starts this season.

Thompson pitched four innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one in Wednesday's win over the Padres. He did not factor into the decision.

Thompson was called upon to make his first start of the season Wednesday, surrendering one run in the first inning and then another one on an Eric Hosmer solo homer in the second frame. The 27-year-old has now allowed five runs over his last four appearances after tossing 13.2 scoreless innings to open the season. Thompson will likely return to his typical bullpen role following the start, and he now holds a 1.67 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 22 strikeouts over 27 innings in 2022.