MLB Player News

Diaz was ejected from Sunday's game against the Cubs for the use of an illegal substance following an inspection from the crew chief, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.

Diaz failed the "sticky substance" check upon entering the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Mets up 5-2. If MLB concurs with the crew chief's assessment, Diaz will receive an automatic 10-game suspension, so the Mets may be without their closer for some time. Expect a decision on a suspension to be announced before the Mets' next game Tuesday versus the Yankees. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino would likely be first in line for saves should Diaz receive a 10-game ban and choose not to appeal.

Otto (shoulder) has given up three earned runs on one hit and four walks while striking out four across three innings between his two appearances since shifting his rehab assignment to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Otto has 33 big-league starts on his resume, but given that he hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his five rehab appearances between Triple-A and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League thus far, the Padres look to be preparing him for a relief role upon his return from the 15-day injured list. The right-hander has been on the shelf all season with a right teres major strain.

Williams (back) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday in Milwaukee, MLB.com reports.

Williams is poised for the next big milestone in his recovery from multiple stress fractures in his back, which have kept him sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 campaign to this point. If the 29-year-old can avoid any setbacks, he remains on track to return to the Brewers bullpen in late July, likely after the All-Star break. Williams will likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before advancing to facing hitters and then heading out on what will likely be a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment.

Little was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Little will return to the major-league bullpen just one day after being sent to Iowa, replacing Mark Leiter (forearm) on the 26-man roster. Little has compiled a 2.31 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in 13 appearances with the Cubs since May 15.

Leiter was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Leiter last appeared in a game Wednesday versus the Giants, surrendering three runs on a hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He'll now likely be sidelined longer than the minimum stay on the injured list considering it's an injury to his throwing arm. In the meantime, Luke Little was called up from Triple-A Iowa to replace Leiter in the major-league bullpen Sunday.

Iglesias struck out two during a perfect ninth to collect the save Sunday against the Yankees.

Iglesias needed just 10 pitches to close out the game, retiring Aaron Judge on one pitch, then striking out the final two batters he faced. Iglesias has converted 12 consecutive save chances and 20 of 22 opportunities on the season, carrying a 2.51 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 23 strikeouts over 28.2 innings.

Fleming retired the lone batter he faced in relief Friday in the Pirates' 10-3 loss to the Rays.

Fleming was back in the bullpen for the beginning of the Pirates' three-game set with Tampa Bay after he made a four-inning spot start in Colorado in his previous outing this past Sunday. The veteran southpaw has just one save and one hold among his 17 relief appearances on the season and will likely be relegated to lower-leverage spots even after the Pirates placed closer David Bednar (oblique) on the injured list Sunday.

Nunez hasn't pitched since June 15, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated earlier this week that the right-hander was dealing with a sinus infection, SNY reports.

After bouncing between Triple-A and the big-league roster in April and May, Nunez settled in following his latest promotion and is having a breakout campaign in the Mets' bullpen, posting a 2.04 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB through 17.2 innings while generating a 42.2 percent whiff rate with his slider. The 28-year-old has four holds on the season, all of which have come in his last six appearances as he works his way into a high-leverage role. Once he's recovered from the infection, Nunez could emerge as a top set-up man for closer Edwin Diaz.

Turnbull is scheduled to join the rotation and start Wednesday against the Tigers in Detroit, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He'll be taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Taijuan Walker, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with right index finger inflammation after developing what manager Rob Thomson termed as a "hot spot" on his pitching hand. Though an injury of this sort wouldn't seem to portend a lengthy absence for Walker, Turnbull could end up sticking around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter once Walker is healthy, so long as Turnbull comes close to recapturing the excellent form he displayed as a member of the rotation earlier this season. The Phillies have stated that they plan to monitor Turnbull's workload this season after he missed all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a large portion of 2023 due to neck discomfort, but the 31-year-old right-hander has made it difficult for the club to stick to that plan while he's performed so-so as a reliever (4.26 ERA, 14.1 K-BB% in 10 appearances) but exceptionally in his six starts (1.67 ERA, 20.5 K-BB%). His upcoming start against his former Tigers club will be his first since April 30, but Turnbull worked three scoreless innings (49 pitches) in his most recent relief outing Friday and is being targeted for around 70 pitches Wednesday, per Thomson.

The Pirates placed Bednar on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a strained left oblique, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bednar reported feeling tightness in his side during his throwing session before Saturday's contest against the Rays and wasn't available to pitch in the game. His injury was initially believed to be relatively minor, so it's possible the 29-year-old reliever will be able to return after a minimum-length stay on the IL. Until then, Aroldis Chapman will likely see the majority of save opportunities, and Justin Bruihl will come up from Triple-A to replenish the Pirates' bullpen depth.