MLB Player News

Megill picked up his 10th save during Monday's 3-2 victory over the Red Sox, allowing one run on one hit and three walks.

It wasn't pretty, but Megill was able to get the final three outs of the Brewers' Memorial Day victory to cash in on his ninth straight save opportunity and 10th overall this season. He needed 34 pitches and walked three batters along the way -- a shock considering he had walked three batters combined in his 10 other appearances in May. It was the first time the 31-year-old surrendered an earned run since late April, a span of 12 appearances.

Birdsong (2-1) took the loss and surrendered three runs and five hits in 4.1 innings of work during Monday's 3-1 loss to the Tigers. He walked two and struck out six.

Birdsong made 11 appearances in relief to start the season, but the Giants have attempted to stretch him out to a starter's workload mid-season. His second start wasn't quite as sharp as his first when he went five scoreless, but he kept the Giants in the game and set a new benchmark in strikeouts this season with six. Over the last 14.1 innings, the 23-year-old has struck out 16 batters, a 10.2 K/9 rate.

Thomas (elbow) began a rehab assignment Monday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over one inning.

The southpaw has been on the shelf since April 8 with left elbow arthritis and could need close to the full 30-day rehab window to shake off the rust before the Brewers bring him back from the 60-day injured list. Once he's activated, the Rule 5 selection will likely fill a low-leverage role in the Milwaukee bullpen.

Nelson improved to 2-1 on the season in Monday's 5-0 win over the Pirates, covering 6.2 scoreless innings and striking out four batters while allowing four hits and no walks.

Making his second turn through the rotation in place of Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder), Nelson once again came through with an excellent outing after he previously limited the Dodgers to one run over five innings in his last start May 20. Rodriguez isn't expected to be ready to return from the 15-day injured list later this week when first eligible, and manager Torey Lovullo confirmed after Monday's contest that Nelson would pick up at least one more start Sunday versus the Nationals, per Jack Magruder of the Associated Press. The right-hander owns a 3.79 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 38 innings across his 12 appearances (three starts) on the season.

The Pirates optioned Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The move makes room on the 26-man roster for Braxton Ashcraft, who was recalled from Triple-A on Monday. Mattson appeared in three major-league games for the Pirates since being promoted to the majors this past Tuesday and allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four across three innings. He'll head back to Triple-A, where he has a 2.33 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, four saves and a 24:5 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

The Rockies optioned Chivilli to Triple-A Albuquerque following Monday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs.

Chivilli has struggled out of the Rockies' bullpen this season, posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 29.1 innings. He has given up nine runs over his last 4.1 frames, and the 22-year-old right-hander will look to regain his form in Triple-A.

Diaz was transferred from Triple-A Reno to Arizona's training complex Saturday, Michael McDermott of SI.com reports.

The Diamondbacks want Diaz to get right after walking at least five batters in four consecutive starts. In his most recent start against Sugar Land on May 17, Diaz retired the first batter faced and then walked five straight before being pulled. He showed improved strike-throwing ability in 2024 but has taken a huge step backwards this season. In nine combined appearances between Reno (eight starts) and Arizona (one in relief), Diaz has struck out 34 and walked 34 over 33 innings.

Palencia picked up the save in Monday's 3-1 victory over the Rockies, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts.

The 25-year-old righty placed eight of his 13 total pitches in the strike zone to convert his third straight save chance. Palencia appears to have fully overtaken the closer's job in Chicago while Porter Hodge (oblique) is on the injured list. Palencia has been impressive through 18.2 frames this season, pitching to a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB.

Assad (oblique) played catch Monday, Zoe Grossman of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad re-injured his oblique in late April during a rehab start and had been shut down from throwing since. However, he's been cleared to begin a throwing program and played catch Monday for the first time since the injury. Assad remains weeks away from being activated from the 60-day IL.

Cubs' manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Hodge (oblique) was "not making progress" in his recovery, Zoe Grossman of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hodge was placed on the injured list May 18 with a left oblique strain and Counsell said Hodge was "in a good spot" Friday. However, Hodge's recovery has halted for unknown reasons, and he may require more than the minimum stay on the 15-day injured list. If that's the case, expect Daniel Palencia to continue to see ninth-inning work.