MLB Player News

Bender worked a perfect ninth inning Tuesday without a walk or strikeout to record his third save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander hadn't pitched since last Wednesday due to hip soreness, but Bender seemed healthy in this one as he needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to nail down the save. The 27-year-old still appears to be manager Don Mattingly's top option as closer for now, but with Dylan Floro (shoulder) closing in on his season debut, that could soon change.

Pallante allowed three hits and struck out one over three scoreless innings in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Mets.

Starter Jordan Hicks was struck in the wrist by a comebacker and had to leave the game with two on and no outs in the third inning. Pallante allowed an inherited runner to score on a Starling Marte single, but he was otherwise effective in a multi-inning assignment. Through 9.1 innings this season, Pallante has a 0.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB. Initial tests on Hicks' wrist were encouraging, so it doesn't seem like the Cardinals will need a spot starter for his turn in the rotation this weekend. That's a role Pallante could fill later in the season if necessary, but he'll likely see most of his work out of the bullpen.

Gonzalez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Gonzalez could be going on a minor-league rehab assignment soon, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Gonzalez went on the 10-day injured list near the end of spring training due to left elbow inflammation, and he has yet to see game action this season. The left-hander has been throwing, however, and his bullpen session Tuesday included both fastballs and sliders. Gonzalez could vie for a big-league bullpen spot when fully healthy and ramped up.

Littell was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday after testing positive for the virus, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Littell officially landed on the shelf without an injury designation prior to Tuesday's win over the A's, but manager Gabe Kapler clarified the right-hander's outlook after the contest. The 26-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms and will remain away from the team until he clears MLB's testing protocols.

Junis is expected to work as the Giants' primary pitcher Wednesday against the A's, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 29-year-old picked up the win in his debut for the Giants on Friday after delivering five scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and it appears he'll fill the bulk role again Wednesday. Sam Long will start the contest and is likely to pitch an inning or two as the opener. Junis should continue seeing plenty of innings for the near future, either as a traditional starter or primary pitcher, until Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) and Alex Cobb (groin) return from the injured list.

Melancon saved Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers, recording a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

After Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the eighth, Melancon was brought in to secure the victory and made quick work of the bottom of Los Angeles order on just seven pitches. The veteran closer has now converted all three of his saves in his last four appearances, but he failed to record a strikeout for the sixth time in seven appearances this season.

Hader earned the save in Tuesday's win over the Pirates, striking out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.

The Pirates brought the tying run to the on-deck circle, which prompted Brewers manager Craig Counsell to bring in his closer. Hader struck out Tucupita Marcano on a called third strike to earn his ninth save of the season. The rate of saves will almost certainly slow down, but the early returns have been greater than even Hader's loudest proponents could have hoped for.

Long will start Wednesday's game against the A's, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Long opened Monday's game in Milwaukee and delivered a scoreless frame, and he'll start again Wednesday versus Oakland. The left-hander should cover an inning or two depending on how he pitches, with Jakob Junis the likely candidate to work behind him in a bulk role.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Treinen (shoulder) hasn't started throwing yet, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Treinen was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort April 22, but he hasn't pitched in a game since April 14. The move to the IL was backdated three days, so the right-hander is eligible to be activated April 29, but it doesn't appear likely that he'll be ready to go by then. Roberts indicated Tuesday that it "shouldn't be too long" before Treinen starts throwing again, but a clear timetable for his return has yet to be established.

Roberts struck out the side in a perfect inning of relief during Tuesday's loss to Atlanta.

Coming on for Marcus Stroman in the seventh inning, Roberts mowed down three Atlanta hitters on 17 pitches. The righty has a 4.50 ERA and seven strikeouts across six innings of work this season, though he also has five walks. If Roberts can cut down on the free passes, he has the swing-and-miss stuff to put up solid numbers, though he's not really in the mix for saves at this point.