MLB Player News

Alvarado blew the save Friday against the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits and no walks over one inning while striking out two.

Alvarado looked to be cruising to another save after striking out Jordan Beck and Hunter Goodman to start the bottom of the ninth inning. However, pinch hitter Jacob Stallings and his career .340 slugging percentage had different plans, crushing a 427-foot solo home run to hand Alvarado his first blown save in 2024. The flame-throwing lefty sports a 3.63 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB in 22.1 innings this season.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Smyly (hip) is likely to be activated from the injured list during this weekend's series against the Cardinals, Elise Menaker reports.

Smyly made a rehab start with High-A South Bend on Tuesday, throwing three perfect innings while striking out five. Despite the fact that Kyle Hendricks was moved to the bullpen and Jordan Wicks (forearm) remains on the IL, Counsell noted that he will use Smyly in a multi-inning relief role when he returns, rather than moving him into the rotation. Smyly appeared in nine games before going on the injured list, registering a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 12.2 innings.

Gallegos (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gallegos continues to progress in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement that landed him on the injured list May 6. A successful session Saturday could put the 32-year-old right-hander on track for a rehab assignment and a return to the Cardinals' bullpen shortly thereafter.

Middleton (forearm) reported soreness Friday after pitching in back-to-back games at Double-A Springfield, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Middleton gave up a solo home run and three walks while striking out two batters over those two outings. He will travel to St. Louis on Friday to be re-evaluated by the team. The 30-year-old righty has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season due to a strained right forearm.

Koch was designated for assignment Friday.

Koch will hit waivers and if he goes unclaimed, would likely remain in Colorado's system. He made two appearances with the Rockies, picking up a one-out save in his debut before surrendering four runs without generating an out in his second outing.

Lambert was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

After stumbling to a 7.24 ERA in 27.1 innings with the Rockies, Lambert was demoted to Triple-A. Matt Carasiti and John Curtiss were called up to the big-league roster.

Curtiss' contract was selected from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Curtiss and Matt Carasiti will join the MLB roster to bolster the Rockies' bullpen. Curtiss logged a 4.58 ERA across 19.2 innings with the Mets last season and owns a 6.75 ERA in 21.1 innings this season for Albuquerque.

Carasiti had his contract selected by the Rockies on Friday.

Carasiti will join the big-league roster for the first time this season. He'll bolster the Rockies bullpen after logging a 5.91 ERA over 20 appearances for Triple-A Albuquerque.

Blalock was optioned to Double-A Biloxi on Friday.

Blalock will head back to Biloxi after not making an appearance during his four days with Milwaukee. Enoli Paredes will take his place on the 26-man roster.

Paredes had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Paredes is set to make his Brewers debut after joining the organization in November. He's been outstanding for Nashville with a 1.31 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 20.2 innings this season. He'll replace Bradley Blalock on the 26-man roster.