MLB Player News

Smith allowed two hits and one unearned run in two innings, striking out three hitters and not factoring into the decision of Saturday's 12-5 loss to the Rays.

The righty proved effective in the opener role, holding the Rays to just a run before the Mets' bullpen allowed the game to get out of hand. Smith has now pitched three innings this season and has yet to yield an earned run. Given Saturday's success, Smith figures to serve as the opener again in the future.

Gonzalez struck out one batter and hit one batter in a scoreless one-third of an inning Friday to pick up a hold against Miami.

Los Angeles jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the second inning, but the Marlins gradually clawed their way back into the contest. They loaded the bases and sent the tying run to the plate in the top of the eighth, prompting Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to turn to Gonzalez. The lefty hit the first batter he faced to force in a run but then struck out Jon Berti to finish the inning. Gonzalez has emerged as one of the team's most trusted late-inning relievers, registering a 1.38 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB across 13 innings. He is tied for the MLB lead with 10 holds.

Hildenberger was designated for assignment by the Mets on Saturday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Hildenberger threw 2.1 innings with the Mets earlier this season and surrendered four earned runs. The move creates room on the 40-man roster for Jake Hager.

Smith will serve as the opener Saturday against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Smith has appeared in one game with the Mets this season, throwing a clean inning against Baltimore on May 12. He'll likely only throw only one or two innings, with Joey Lucchesi expected to throw the bulk of the innings after Smith.

Melancon shut down a 5-4 win over St. Louis to pick up his 13th save Friday, allowing a home run with one strikeout in the process.

Melancon surrendered a two-out home run to Nolan Arenado that brought the Cardinals to within one run but was able to induce a Yadier Molina groundout to end the game. Melancon's league-leading 13 saves for a strong team shows he's one of the best relief options in the game.

Jansen pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to save Friday's 9-6 win against the Marlins.

Jansen retired all three Marlins he faced in securing an easy save for Los Angeles. He now has seven saves and a 1.65 ERA on the season and remains among the game's top closers. Jansen hasn't allowed an earned run in his last six appearances.

Bard worked around a walk to throw a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save against the Reds on Friday.

Eugenio Suarez's two-run homer in the eighth inning created a save situation for Bard and the right-hander got the job done on 12 pitches. He has shut the door four times for Colorado, but he also has three blown saves and owns a 6.59 ERA. Clearly, he's still the No. 1 closer option, but Bard should be considered on thin ice in the role.

Alexander (shoulder) won't be ready to return for 2-3 more weeks, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

Alexander went on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation in early May. His stay on the IL was originally expected to be brief, but the left-hander appears to have hit a roadblock in his recovery. in 11.2 innings this season, Alexander has allowed three earned runs while registering a 5:1 K:BB.

Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Tigers.

The veteran closer's renaissance continued as he fired 10 of 12 pitches for strikes. Kimbrel is 7-for-8 in save chances to begin the year, but more impressively he's posted a 0.60 ERA through 15 innings, along with a 24:7 K:BB, after failing to get his ERA below 5.00 in either of the prior two seasons.

Brogdon (4-1) retired the only batter he faced and earned the win Friday versus Toronto.

The right-hander relieved starter Vince Velasquez with two outs in the sixth inning. Brogdon got Cavan Biggio to fly out to end the inning, and Philadelphia took the lead with a five-run rally in the top of the seventh. The 26-year-old has a 5.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB across 15.1 innings this year. He's given up three runs (two earned) in in 5.1 innings in May, and he typically hasn't seen much high-leverage work.