MLB Player News

Hernandez (biceps) is expected to throw a bullpen session this week, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Hernandez exited his first start of the year with biceps inflammation. He's been out for over three weeks but appears to be making good progress in his throwing program, throwing from 105 feet without issues.

Martin (shoulder) threw a side session Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletice reports.

Martin hasn't pitched in over three weeks due to shoulder inflammation. He appears to be closing in on a return, though Atlanta has yet to specific exactly when that's expected to happen.

Megill's contract was selected by the Cubs on Monday.

Megill was reassigned to minor-league camp in late March, but he'll be in line to make his major-league debut as part of a shuffle after Jason Adam was sent down Monday. Megill made 39 relief appearances in the minors in 2019 and posted a 3.86 ERA and 87:22 K:BB in 60.2 innings. He should mainly work as a low-leverage reliever in the majors.

Adam was optioned to the Cubs' alternate training site Monday.

Adam was roughed up in his relief appearance in Sunday's loss to the Brewers, as he allowed five runs on three hits and two walks while failing to record an out. As a result, he'll be sent to the team's alternate camp for the time being. Right-hander Trevor Megill's contract was selected by the Cubs as part of a shuffle after Jonathan Holder (shoulder) and Rowan Wick (oblique) were transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Howard was optioned to the Phillies' alternate training site Monday.

Howard is expected to stretch out as a starter with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. That's seemingly been the team's plan all along, but they were forced to call the young righty up as a reliever twice already this season. He struggled to an 8.31 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 4.1 innings of work, though he did manage to strike out eight batters. Matt Moore returns from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move.

Moore was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Moore spent a week on the injured list, though the Phillies didn't specify whether or not he'd tested positive for the virus himself. Per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the lefty needs a bit of time before being ready to handle a starter's workload. The Phillies have yet to announce their future rotation plans, but it's possible he follows Vince Velasquez out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Alvarado returned from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Alvarado spent a week away from the team, though it's unclear if he tested positive for the virus himself. He should be a key piece for the Phillies upon his return, as he owns a 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 5.2 innings this season.

Nelson was tagged with a blown save in Sunday's loss to the Padres, pitching two innings and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three.

With usual closer Kenley Jansen unavailable to pitch in the series finale, Nelson was called upon to try for his first career save with Los Angeles clinging to a two-run ninth-inning lead. The veteran couldn't get the job done, giving up a pair of runs on four singles and a walk. He came back out for the 10th inning and did a good job of keeping San Diego off the board, but the Padres eventually won the thriller in 11 frames. Nelson came into the contest having thrown five straight scoreless outings, yielding only one hit and two walks over that stretch. He'll likely return to a less pressure-packed role with Jansen resuming his regular closer duties.

Voth gave up one hit and struck out four over three scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Mets.

The Nats were already down 4-0 when Voth entered the game with a runner on base and nobody out in the fifth inning, but the right-hander turned in his best outing of the season to prevent things from getting worse. Voth has a 2.08 ERA and 10:4 K:BB through 8.2 innings, but as long as he's working low-leverage situations in long relief, his fantasy value will be minimal.

Williams threw a perfect eighth inning and struck out a batter in Sunday's 6-0 victory over the Cubs.

Williams got off to a slow start, being tagged for four earned runs and two homers over his first four appearances and allowing at least one runner to reach in his first seven outings. However, his results have been markedly better of late, as although he gave up another home run Saturday, that was the only run and just one of two hits he allowed over his last four trips to the mound. Manager Craig Counsell briefly removed Williams from the setup role a week or so ago, but with him turning things around and tossing a clean frame in what was a 1-0 game when he entered, there's no doubt he is again the go-to man in front of Josh Hader.