MLB Player News

Atlanta designated Hamilton for assignment Wednesday.

Hamilton was knocked around for three runs in an inning of work Tuesday versus the Nationals in his lone appearance with the big club. The 30-year-old has often been an effective middle reliever in the past, so it's possible there's interest in him via waivers.

Megill struck out one in a perfect sixth inning Tuesday to record his second hold of the season in a 12-4 win over the Tigers.

The Brewers were ahead 3-1 when the right-hander took the mound, but it was still far from the ninth-inning usage Megill is used to seeing. His performance was encouraging, as he fired 10 of 14 pitches for strikes, but his 9.00 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through eight innings on the season remain sketchy. For now, Abner Uribe appears to be the top closing option for manager Pat Murphy, at least until Megill puts together a sustained run of success.

Puk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and provided an update following the activity, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The earliest date Puk can be activated from the 60-day injured list is May 21, and the reliever estimated he'd be "facing batters or starting rehab games" around then. The left-hander is four bullpen sessions in and will throw at least another six before facing hitters.

Walker earned a save against the Dodgers on Tuesday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Walker inherited a two-run lead when he entered in the ninth. He didn't face much resistance, tossing 10 of 15 pitches for strikes while retiring the side in order. This was Walker's first save since March 30 and just his second overall on the campaign. He still appears to the Giants' primary closer, as no other pitcher on the team has more than one save so far this season.

Imanaga (2-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out one over seven innings.

Imanaga turned in his third consecutive quality start Tuesday, limiting Philadelphia to just two hits over his first five innings before Kyle Schwarber's solo homer in the sixth accounted for the only damage. The left-hander continues to excel at run prevention, allowing just three runs across his last four starts (24 innings). Through five outings, he owns a 2.17 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB. Imanaga will face a much tougher challenge in his next scheduled outing against a loaded Dodgers lineup that leads MLB in most offensive categories, including a .293 team batting average.

Williams (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks without recording an out.

Williams was unable to retire any of the five batters he faced, quickly loading the bases in a tied ninth inning before a single from Luke Keaschall broke the tie. Matt Wallner followed with a bases-loaded walk to force in another run before Williams was pulled. The outing continues a troubling stretch for the right-hander, who has now allowed seven runs while recording just four outs over his last three appearances. Williams ERA has ballooned to 9.95 through eight outings, and the loss extended the Mets' skid to 12 straight games.

Lopez (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across one inning.

Lopez allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in a 46-pitch first inning, as the Nationals batted around. James Wood then led off the second inning with a solo shot ahead of a Luis Garcia single, and Lopez's night was done after 58 pitches. It was Lopez's shortest start since he went two-thirds of an inning in July of 2020. The right-hander now owns a 3.74 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 21.2 innings to begin the 2026 campaign. Lopez is tentatively scheduled to next take the mound Sunday at home against the Phillies.

Vasquez (2-0) earned the win against the Rockies on Tuesday, allowing three hits while striking out five across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

Vasquez made easy work out of the Rockies on Tuesday, at Coors Field no less, tossing 56 strikes among his 84 pitches while generating 12 whiffs. It was a nice bounce-back performance from the 27-year-old right-hander, who struggled in his prior outing Wednesday against the Mariners. It was Vasquez's third quality start of the season (in five outings), and he has a 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB across 28.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs next week at home.

Morejon earned the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Rockies, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

Although Mason Miller and the Padres had an off day Monday, manager Craig Stammen opted to go with Morejon to close things out for Tuesday's low-scoring contest. That was likely due to Edouard Julien and Mickey Moniak -- both left-handed batters -- being the first two up to the plate in the frame, and the southpaw Morejon ended up striking out both before getting Hunter Goodman to fly out to center field. Morejon has not yielded a run or a hit in any of his last four outings, striking out seven batters while issuing just one walk over that five-inning span. It's been a nice turnaround from how he opened the season (10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 6.2 innings).

Backhus will work as Philadelphia's opener Wednesday against the Cubs, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Backhus has made seven appearances for the Phillies this season, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out nine batters in 6.2 innings. He'll be making his first start in the majors Wednesday and is likely to pitch an inning or two before handing the game over to Taijuan Walker, who is expected to work in bulk relief.