MLB Player News

Mayers was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Mayers is likely unavailable for a couple of days after tossing three innings of relief in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Cubs, so the Cardinals opted to send him back to the minors in order to clear a roster spot for Monday's starter, John Gant. The 26-year-old now owns a 1.86 ERA across 9.2 innings of relief this season, so he'll be one of the top candidates to rejoin the big club when a fresh relief arm is needed.

Dominguez was called up by the Phillies on Monday.

The 23-year-old transitioned to the bullpen this season and took to it immediately. He struck out 18 batters with a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings for Double-A Reading before tossing 3.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He had never pitched above High-A before this season, so expectations shouldn't be too high, but relievers can sometimes develop very quickly and he could be one of them. If he continues his dominance at the major-league level he has a chance to stick with the team the rest of the year and work his way into a higher-leverage role. He certainly has the stuff to be an impact reliever, with a fastball that can touch 99 mph and a plus slider that sits in the high 80s. A corresponding move has not yet been announced.

Leiter (forearm) began a rehab assignment Sunday at High-A Clearwater, tossing a perfect eighth inning and striking out a batter.

The appearance marked Leiter's first game action in a competitive setting since mid-March after a forearm strain suffered in spring training resulted in the right-hander opening the season on the 10-day disabled list. Leiter had been in contention for a rotation spot prior to sustaining the injury, but he'll most likely be deployed in long relief or work as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley once he's activated from the DL. He only threw eight pitches Sunday, so he'll have to build up his count in subsequent rehab outings before an activation can be considered forthcoming.

De Los Santos carries a 3-0 record, 1.07 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB across 25.1 innings through his five starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.

The 22-year-old's 11.8 K/9 is his highest mark at any level during his four seasons in the professional ranks, with his above-average fastball and improved slider in particular making life difficult for opposing hitters. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, De Los Santos' early season performance has put him on the radar for a potential promotion to the Phillies at some point in 2018, though the righty's status as a non-roster player makes his ascent to the big leagues a little more difficult. Even so, if De Los Santos is able to trim down his walk rate while continuing to whiff batters at a prolific rate in his subsequent outings with Lehigh Valley, it may be difficult for the Phillies to justify keeping him on the farm much longer, especially if back-end rotation members like Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin aren't able to consistently provide quality innings.

White (undisclosed) made his first start of the season Sunday for Double-A Tulsa. He threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out four.

He missed the first month of the minor-league season with an undisclosed injury. White needed 66 pitches (41 strikes) to get through three frames, so he was clearly a little rusty, but he also brought his swing-and-miss stuff with him. The 23-year-old righty has now logged 31 total innings at Double-A, so he will likely earn a promotion to Triple-A sometime this summer.

Mayers (1-0) allowed an earned run on three hits over three innings in an extra-innings win over the Cubs on Sunday. He also recorded a strikeout.

Mayers gave manager Mike Matheny some valuable innings to close out the game after five other relievers had taken the mound before him. While he gave up a go-ahead home run to Javier Baez in the visitors' half of the 14th, he was afforded his first win of 2018 when Dexter Fowler pulled out the victory with a two-run home run in the latter portion of the frame. The 26-year-old right-hander had just been called up earlier in the day in the wake of Dominic Leone's placement on the disabled list due to a biceps injury, his third stint with the big-league club this season. Mayers has been effective with the Redbirds over his first four appearances at the Triple-A level, and he's now generated an impressive 1.86 ERA across five trips to the mound with the Cardinals, as well.

Suarez (1-1) got the win over the Braves on Sunday, giving up one unearned run on seven hits over 5.1 innings, striking out six and walking one in the Giants' 4-3 victory.

It was a second straight strong outing for the 25-year-old, who now has an impressive 3.06 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a sterling 18:2 K:BB over his 17.2 innings of work. With Johnny Cueto (elbow) on the disabled list, Suarez should continue to get the work in his absence. He'll head to the mound again in a road matchup against the Pirates next Friday.

Wittgren (1-0) gave up one hit and struck out four across two scoreless innings as he picked up the win Sunday against the Reds.

Wittgren earned his first win of the season after relieving Dan Straily in the fifth inning of Sunday's matchup. He's been stellar out of the bullpen, accruing a 1.00 ERA with two holds and 14 strikeouts across nine innings.

Neris (1-2) blew the save opportunity and took the loss after allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks Sunday against the Nationals.

Neris entered the game with a 4-3 lead but wasn't able to record an out before losing the game. He is now 6-for-8 in save opportunities on the season and has been the only member of the Phillies' bullpen to record a save on the season. Manager Gabe Kapler had mentioned the possibility of using him earlier in games, and if his struggles with command continue -- he has now walked two batters in consecutive appearances -- he could start to lose save opportunities, but there has been no indication that is the case.

Miller (elbow) is scheduled to throw two innings in an extended spring training game Friday, Jack Magruder of The Sports Xchange reports.

Miller has been throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice for the better part of two weeks, and it appears the Diamondbacks are now ready to see how he fares in a game setting. It's expected that Miller will require multiple outings at extended spring training. He'll then gear up for what will likely be an elongated minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to build up his arm following a year-plus layoff from Tommy John surgery. The Diamondbacks don't have a specific timetable for when Miller will be activated from the 60-day disabled list, but the right-hander currently seems to be trending toward a return shortly before the All-Star break.