MLB Player News

Nunez struck out one in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Tuesday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.

Making his eighth career MLB appearance, the right-hander provided the Mets' beleaguered bullpen with some crucial high-leverage help. Nunez is in his third stint this year on the big-league roster, but he might stick around for good this time around -- through 11.2 innings he sports a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB. With Edwin Diaz (shoulder) still sidelined and Reed Garrett, Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman all struggling, it's not out of the question that Nunez will get added to the saves mix in the short term.

Walston did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings.

Walston didn't have his best stuff, evidenced by his four walks, but was able to keep the Giants at bay after the Diamondbacks got out to a 3-0 lead. Walston had a full count on six of the first nine hitters he faced and needed 50 pitches to get through two scoreless frames. The Giants eventually got a run across in the fourth and another in the fifth after Kevin Ginkel was unable to strand one of the two runners he inherited. Walston now owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The 23-year-old figures to get at least another look in the rotation while Zac Gallen (hamstring) makes his way back from injury. Walston lines up to face the Padres on the road this weekend.

Sewald earned the save Tuesday against the Giants. He plunked a batter but struck out two and did not allow a hit in the ninth inning.

Sewald was presented with a save opportunity after Mike Yastrzemski made it a three-run ballgame with his home run in the eighth. He began by hitting Thairo Estrada but faced no threat after that. He has not given up a run since his first appearance of the season and has allowed just three hits total while converting all six save chances. For the year, the 34-year-old boasts an 0.96 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB in 9.1 innings.

Ginkel (4-1) returned from a leg injury and picked up Tuesday's win over the Giants. He allowed two hits and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Ginkel made his first appearance since taking a comebacker off the leg Saturday. He was the first reliever up after starter Blake Walston -- 88 pitches, 47 strikes -- labored through 4.1 innings and left with Arizona leading. Pitching this early in games or getting more than three outs are not typically Ginkel's roles, but he had thrown just 14 pitches over the last five days and had the bullets to go a little longer than normal.

Pallante (1-2) allowed six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one over three innings to take the loss versus the Astros on Tuesday.

Pallante dazzled in his first start of the season with six scoreless innings versus the Reds, but the Astros were able to hit him harder. They put up a pair of runs on groundouts in the first inning before rallying for four more runs -- including a three-run blast by Yainer Diaz -- in the third. Pallante is now at a 6.16 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 11:11 K:BB over 19 innings across 11 appearances (two starts) this season. The Cardinals continue to struggle to fill the No. 5 spot in their rotation while Steven Matz (back) is out, though Pallante has perhaps been their best option so far. If he stays in the rotation, Pallante is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rockies.

Neris worked around a walk to toss a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

Neris ceded a one-out walk, then watched pinch runner Duke Ellis swipe second. However, the veteran reliever picked off Ellis to shut down any chance of a rally by the White Sox. Neris now has eight saves in 10 chances this season to go with a solid 2.86 ERA. He's earned a little job security as the Cubs' closer given his strong play, particularly with Opening Day closer Adbert Alzolay (forearm) on the 60-day IL.

Bednar delivered a perfect ninth inning against the Dodgers on Tuesday to earn the save in a 1-0 victory.

It's the seventh straight scoreless appearance for Bednar, who's allowed just one run over his last 10.1 innings. After a rocky start to the year, Bednar's lowered his ERA to 5.92 with a 1.23 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB across 24.1 innings while going 12-for-15 in save opportunities.

Middleton (forearm) will undergo surgery next week to repair his right flexor tendon and will miss the rest of the season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The timing of Middleton's surgery will allow him to return at some point during the 2025 campaign. He signed a one-year deal with St. Louis in February with a $6 million club option for 2025, though the Cardinals' decision on whether or not to bring him back will likely depend on how much of the next season he's expected to miss.

The Padres sent Otto (shoulder) to the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

A right teres major strain has kept Otto on the shelf since spring training, though he now seems ready to test his shoulder in a competitive environment. The Padres have not specified how long the 28-year-old reliever's assignment might last, but an extended stay may be necessary after he's been shut down for more than two months.

The Padres optioned Gillaspie to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Gillasplie was called up by San Diego over the weekend and will return to El Paso without appearing in a game. The right-hander has a 5.17 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over 15.2 innings at Triple-A this season.