MLB Player News

Diaz blew the save Monday against Philadelphia, allowing two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batter. He had one strikeout over one inning.

Diaz looked extremely unsettled Monday night, issuing his first free passes since April 20, ending a streak of eight walk-free innings. Even more indicative of his unsteady control, the Mets closer allowed the tying run to score by beaning Alec Bohm with the bases loaded. Despite the ugly outing Monday, Diaz is cemented as the Mets closer with his ERA standing at 3.24 over 16.2 innings.

Bednar struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to earn a save over the Brewers on Monday.

Bednar retired the middle of Milwaukee's lineup in order to finish off the 8-6 win. He's converted eight of his 11 save chances this season, including seven in a row. However, he's registered a 6.94 ERA over his last 12 appearances since blowing a save chance against Detroit on April 9. Bednar has given up just one run over his last five frames and appears to be settling back into his usual groove.

Sanchez did not factor into the decision Monday against the Tigers, allowing three runs (zero earned) on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

An error opened the door for a three-run second that was entirely uncredited to Sanchez, who was generally effective throughout the rest of his outing. It was the 10th appearance and fourth start of the season for Sanchez, who allowed 10 earned runs over 10.2 innings during his previous three starts. Most encouraging for Sanchez is that he was able to work his way up to 81 pitches after tossing no more than 68 in any of his previous outings. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start over the weekend at home when the Mets make the trek to Miami.

The Mets recalled Fujinami from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday and placed him on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain.

Fujinami hadn't pitched for Syracuse since May 3 due to the injury. He had yet to make his 2024 debut for the Mets, but he was likely recalled and placed on the 15-day IL in the event New York needs to move him to the 60-day IL down the road to open up a 40-man roster spot.

Minter worked around a hit and walk allowed to pick up the save Monday against the Cubs. He pitched a scoreless inning with no strikeouts.

For the second straight night, Minter received the call for the save but was able to escape Monday unlike Sunday evening. Minter allowed Cody Bellinger to reach via an infield single and walked Christopher Morel before securing three outs to finish the game. Raisel Iglesias, who threw 48 pitches over back-to-back outings on Thursday and Friday, was likely slated for additional rest and should retain his closer role over Minter in Atlanta.

Avila was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Avila will be available out of the bullpen for Monday's game against the Dodgers. He hasn't been able to settle in so far this season with the big-league club, surrendering at least one run in five of his six relief appearances.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Junk's latest stint in the majors lasted just a few days and he didn't make an appearance. Joel Payamps is back from the bereavement list to absorb Junk's roster spot.

The Brewers activated Payamps (personal) from the bereavement list Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Payamps missed the last three games but will rejoin the rotation for the start of Milwaukee's series against the Pirates. He seems to have fallen behind Trevor Megill in the Brewers' bullpen hierarchy but could still find himself in the mix for saves.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Smith (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Smith's minor-league rehab assignment is considered complete, so the Mets will merely need to decide which player will come off the 26-man active roster to create room for the right-handed reliever. Before hitting the shelf April 27 with shoulder inflammation, Smith logged three holds and one save over his 10 appearances out of the Mets bullpen while pitching to a 2.70 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 10 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Almonte is getting imaging done on his right shoulder Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Almonte had been placed on the the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain, but the Cubs apparently still want to glean more information on the extent of the injury. The right-handed reliever had posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 15.2 innings out of the Chicago bullpen while gathering one win, one save and six holds prior to landing on the IL.