MLB Player News
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Andrew Alvarez RP | WAS
Nationals' Andrew Alvarez: Drawing start Friday
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.
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Wen-Hui Pan RP | PHI
Phillies' Wen-Hui Pan: Pitching out of bullpen at High-A
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.
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Keaton Winn RP | SF
Giants' Keaton Winn: Allows two hits Tuesday
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.
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Mitchell Parker RP | WAS
Nationals' Mitchell Parker: Collects multi-inning save
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.
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A.J. Minter RP | NYM
Mets' A.J. Minter: Sharp in season debut
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.
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Sean Manaea RP | NYM
Mets' Sean Manaea: Fans six in relief outing
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.
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Didier Fuentes RP | ATL
Braves' Didier Fuentes: Still viewed as future starter
Fuentes will likely remain in a long-relief role this season unless Atlanta endures further injuries in the rotation, but his long-term future is still as a starting pitcher, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports. "Developing starters in the bullpen used to be the blueprint in this game," manager Walt Weiss said Monday. "I think you have to identify the guys that can benefit, and (Fuentes) is one of those guys."
The right-hander doesn't turn 21 years old for another few weeks, but Fuentes has been impressive in the big-league bullpen this season, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings over 13 appearances (one start) with three wins and two holds. He had been almost exclusively a starter in the minors, but he's adjusted well to his new role. "It's thanks to the veterans in the bullpen and rotation," Fuentes said Monday via a translator. "They've taught me so much about preparation and sequencing, but at the same time, they've helped me mature as a person."
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Chad Patrick RP | MIL
Brewers' Chad Patrick: Drawing start Wednesday
Patrick is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals in Milwaukee, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Patrick will be making his sixth start of the season but his first since May 4, with each of his last five appearances having come out of the bullpen. He's thrived in the new role, collecting two holds and two saves while striking out nine and allowing just four baserunners over 9.2 scoreless frames. Though he likely won't be counted on to handle a typical starter's workload Wednesday, Patrick should still be able to provide the Brewers with a decent amount of length to begin the game after having completed four- and three-inning outings since shifting to relief. Patrick's move back to the rotation is unlikely to be a long-term arrangement; Quinn Priester (shoulder) is being targeted for around 80-to-85 pitches in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville and could be ready to come off the injured list the next time the Brewers are in need of a fifth starter.
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PJ Poulin RP | WAS
Nationals' PJ Poulin: Another opener assignment
Poulin will serve as the opening pitcher for the Nationals in Wednesday's game versus the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Poulin opened the series opener Monday, too, allowing one run on a solo home run in his two innings of work. Miles Mikolas is slated to absorb the bulk of the innings for the Nationals on Wednesday.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: MRI coming Friday
Pagan (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Friday to check on his healing, MLB.com reports.
Pagan has been doing what he can without stressing the hamstring, including throwing from his knees. Friday's imaging could determine if the reliever can handle more activity and make clearer the timeline for Pagan's return. At the time of his injury in early May, the estimate was between four and eight weeks.