MLB Player News

Megill gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Cardinals.

The right-hander fired nine of 13 pitches for strikes to convert his second save chance in the last two weeks, although a Masyn Winn single and stolen base made things interesting. After a bumpy start to the season, Megill has been tagged for earned runs in only two of his last 14 appearances, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB over 14 innings during that stretch while producing three saves and six holds. Despite the turnaround, manager Pat Murphy appears content to let Megill share the closing load with Abner Uribe for the time being rather than reclaim the role on a full-time basis.

Patrick didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander got tagged for his first run since May 4 on a fourth-inning triple by rookie Bryan Torres, and that would have been enough to stick Patrick with the loss had the Brewers' offense not spoiled a no-hit bid by Dustin May in the eighth inning and eventually scored twice in the frame. Patrick was lifted after 61 pitches (44 strikes), his biggest workload since that May 4 outing, and it's not yet clear whether he'll remain in the rotation or return to a versatile fireman role in the bullpen. He's been effective no matter how he's been deployed, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB through 45 innings over 13 appearances (six starts) with two wins, two saves and two holds.

Sewald earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Giants, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Sewald's now converted his last five save chances, allowing just one run on one hit in that span (six innings). Overall, the veteran closer has logged 14 saves while posting a 3.80 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year.

The Nationals optioned Poulin to Triple-A Rochester following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians.

For the seventh time this season, Poulin served as an opener for Washington during Wednesday's contest. The lefty struck out a batter and gave up no hits and one walk over a scoreless frame before Miles Mikolas took over in bulk relief. Washington didn't announce a corresponding transaction but will add another player to the active roster as a replacement for Poulin prior to Friday's game against the Padres.

Alvarez will start Friday's game against the Padres, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

He's taking the rotation spot vacated by the injured Jake Irvin (shoulder). Alvarez has been terrific in a long-relief role so far for the Nationals, contributing a 2.84 ERA and 16:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The left-hander hasn't thrown more than 56 pitches in any of his relief outings this month but exceeded 90 pitches on two occasions at Triple-A Rochester in early May, so Alvarez should be capable of providing some length.

Double-A Reading reinstated Pan (elbow) from its 7-day injured list May 19 and assigned him to High-A Jersey Shore.

Pan has completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in November 2024. The right-hander could eventually move up to Reading, but he'll stick around for the time being at Jersey Shore, with whom he's struck out four over five scoreless frames in four appearances.

Winn allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out one across one inning in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Winn entered in the sixth inning and surrendered back-to-back singles to begin the frame, and the first runner eventually scored after reaching third on a throwing error. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his last eight appearances, giving up six hits and two walks while striking out nine in nine innings during that span. He now owns a 1.85 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 24.1 innings in 24 outings this season.

Parker gave up two runs on three hits and a walk over three relief innings Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Guardians. He struck out five.

The 26-year-old southpaw actually fulfilled two separate requirements for a save, as he entered the game with the Nationals ahead 4-1 and stayed in the game the rest of the way after they tacked on a couple insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Parker has worked more than one inning in five of seven May appearances, posting a 5.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 15.2 innings with two holds in addition to Tuesday's save, but a lack of reliable bullpen options for Washington could keep him in the high-leverage mix.

Minter gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday during a loss to the Reds.

Seeing his first big-league action in over a year due to a lat injury that required surgery last May, Minter fired 10 of 16 pitches for strikes. The southpaw's velocity was down -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball after averaging 94.5 mph the prior two seasons -- but that could come around as he shakes off the last of his rust. Minter should quickly slot back into a high-leverage role in the Mets' bullpen, sharing setup duties with Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley.

Manaea worked three innings of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six.

The veteran lefty tossed 68 pitches (46 strikes) and helped steady the ship after a rocky start by David Peterson. Manaea has put together a semi-respectable May, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over five appearances and 12 innings. With the Mets running out of rotation options, he could be the next man up if Peterson gets removed from his current role, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.