MLB Player News

Hjelle (3-1) allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over 1.1 innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Hjelle gave up a solo home run to Pavin Smith in the fifth inning, but Arizona never made a serious threat at a comeback. Hjelle ended up with the win because Jordan Hicks needed 92 pitches to get through 3.2 innings despite the Giants' strong offensive showing in support of their pitchers. All three of Hjelle's wins have come since May 17, and he's allowed three runs over 12 innings in that span. The right-hander is at a 2.77 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB through 26 innings this season, mainly serving as a long-relief option.

Neris (6-0) worked around a walk to toss a scoreless ninth inning and earn the win in Wednesday's 7-6 victory over the White Sox. He struck out two.

Neris found himself in a similar spot to Tuesday night, when he managed to shut the White Sox down and earn the save. In each game, speedy pinch runner Duke Ellis swiped second base to apply some pressure, but the veteran reliever escaped without allowing any runs both times. Neris isn't missing many bats, as his K/9 is down from 10.1 last season to 7.8 this year, but he's still been effective. Neris should have plenty of fantasy value as long as he remains the closer in Chicago.

Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Turnbull will stay in the bullpen while the Phillies remain committed to Taijuan Walker as their No. 5 starter, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.

While Walker began the season on the injured list, Turnbull secured a spot in the Opening Day rotation and dazzled over his six starts, going 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings. Shortly after Walker returned from the IL in late April, the Phillies opted to move Turnbull to the bullpen rather than expanding the rotation to six men. Though his performance has taken a step back upon his move to the bullpen, Turnbull is coming off an impressive showing against the Cardinals on Saturday, when he struck out six over three scoreless frames. Walker, meanwhile, hasn't pitched into the seventh inning of his last five turns through the rotation and is sitting on a 5.73 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 37.2 innings overall through seven starts on the season. At this point, Walker's exorbitant four-year, $72 million contract may be the main reason he's still in the rotation, but his leash has undoubtedly gotten shorter. Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, but another poor showing could prompt Thomson to change his tune and give Turnbull another look in the rotation.

Alvarado gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Brewers.

The southpaw picked up his first save since May 21 with a dominant effort, as he fired 15 of 21 pitches for strikes. Alvarado is putting together a strong season, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings and blowing only one save chance so far, but the Phillies' tendency to play matchups in high-leverage spots keeps him from being an elite fantasy closer, as Jeff Hoffman (five saves) and Gregory Soto (two saves) are also in the ninth-inning mix.

Helsley earned the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Astros, recording a pair of strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley's now delivered back-to-back scoreless innings, striking out four in that span, after allowing four runs in his previous three appearances. The 29-year-old Helsley is now the first in the majors to reach to 20-save mark. His ERA is down to 2.33 with a 1.07 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 27 innings this season.

Matsui (3-2) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks without retiring a batter.

Adam Mazur gave San Diego six innings of one-run ball in his MLB debut, but Matsui wasn't able to keep the game tied upon entering in the seventh. The lefty reliever issued two walks around an infield single to load the bases, and all three runners came around to score after his departure. The rough outing came two days after Matsui blew a save opportunity against the Royals, giving up three runs while retiring just one batter as the ninth-inning option of choice while regular closer Robert Suarez -- who had pitched on consecutive days -- was unavailable. Prior to the pair of ugly appearances, Matsui held a solid 2.88 ERA, but that mark now sits at 4.97.

Diaz (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Brooklyn on Thursday.

Diaz threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday and has now been cleared to test things out in a game setting. He is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list on June 11 when the Mets return home from London. Barring a setback, Diaz should be ready to go that day. Whether he is used as the closer right away upon his return is unclear, as Diaz's struggles prior to getting hurt had led to him sharing save chances with others.

The Mets transferred Fujinami (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Joe Hudson, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Fujinami has been out all season with a right shoulder strain and is expected to remain out until after the All-Star break.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Pagan (triceps) will be activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He will have missed just over the minimum 15 days with a right triceps issue. Pagan has posted a 4.19 ERA, but also a 25:7 K:BB across 19.1 innings out of the Reds' bullpen in 2024.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Junk was called up from Triple-A on Saturday but didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen before being sent back to Nashville. He's made some starts with Nashville this season and could be thrust into the rotation as he rejoins the affiliate after the Brewers recalled two of Triple-A club's starters (Aaron Ashby and Tobias Myers) on Wednesday.