MLB Player News

Little allowed five runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters in Saturday's 17-0 loss to the Red Sox.

Chicago starter Ben Brown allowed three runs over just 3.2 innings, then gave way to Little, who struggled mightily. The lefty's ERA went from 2.16 to 7.00 in the process, and it may take Little some time to get that figure back into a more acceptable range. He's not a great fantasy target at the moment due to his middle-relief role.

Rogers (0-1) took the extra-inning loss Saturday versus the Pirates, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out two over one inning.

Rogers gave up back-to-back home runs to Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes in the 10th inning. Jorge Soler got two of those runs back in the bottom half of the frame, but the Giants couldn't come up with consecutive walk-off wins. Rogers hadn't given up a run over his previous six outings before Saturday. He's at a 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings this season, and he's added two holds but remains unlikely to challenge Camilo Doval for save chances.

The Marlins selected Ramirez's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old will receive his first taste of the big leagues, taking the roster spot of Kent Emanuel, who was designated for assignment. Ramirez has a 3.86 ERA and 16:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings at Jacksonville this season and should fill a low-leverage bullpen role for Miami.

The Marlins designated Emanuel for assignment on Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old had his contract selected by Miami on Saturday but spent just one day with the big club. Emanuel has surrendered seven earned runs over six frames in his two major-league appearances this season.

Grove is slated to start Sunday's series finale in Toronto in what's expected to a bullpen game for the Dodgers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Grove made 12 starts for the big club in 2023, but he was dismissed from the competition for a rotation spot late in spring training and has served as a multi-inning reliever for the Dodgers through the first month of the regular season. The right-hander hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his nine relief appearances to date, so the Dodgers may not ask him to work much longer than that while he picks up his first start of 2024. Fellow multi-inning reliever Ryan Yarbrough is available on three days' rest and could be the Dodgers pitcher who's most likely to factor into any decision.

Bednar earned the save against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over one inning.

Bednar entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and surrendered a two-run shot to Jorge Soler in the leadoff at-bat to make it 4-3. The reliever also allowed an infield single in the frame but managed to work his way through it, getting all his outs by way of strikeout. Bednar has now converted each of his last four save attempts, though he's also allowed at least one run in back-to-back appearances, leaving him with a dreadful 13.50 ERA in April.

Romero struck out two in a perfect inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.

Romero had some control issues in spring training, but they disappeared when the games started to count. He's pitched to a 1.23 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings this season. Romero is part of the Cardinals' high-leverage mix with 10 holds -- matching his total from his previous four seasons combined. He is unlikely to challenge Ryan Helsley for closing duties, but Romero is providing quality innings when called upon.

Kittredge allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn his 10th hold of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets.

Kittredge has been excellent in a high-leverage role for the Cardinals. He's been scored on just once in 13 appearances, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 12 innings. Manager Oliver Marmol has gone with more clearly defined roles in the bullpen this year than in previous seasons, and Kittredge has slotted in as a strong setup man in his first year with the team.

Wesneski will start Sunday in Boston in place of the injured Jordan Wicks (forearm), Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wesneski went 2.1 innings and threw 20 pitches in a relief appearance Thursday against the Astros. He hasn't started a game since taking the hill April 12 for Triple-A Iowa, so Wesneski may be on a restricted pitch count Sunday and could struggle to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for the win. The Cubs haven't yet indicated that Wicks will need to miss any additional turns beyond Sunday, but if the lefty is forced to the injured list, Wesneski could end up becoming a fixture in the rotation.

Brown (0-1) was saddled with the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out four.

Tyler O'Neill clubbed a two-run homer in the first inning to getting the scoring started in what turned out to be a blowout victory for Boston. Brown threw an inning of relief on Tuesday, which likely contributed to him being pulled after 61 pitches. The rookie's usage has been erratic and unusual, but the results had been pretty good prior to this outing. If Brown gets another start -- which wouldn't appear to be guaranteed -- it will likely come either on the road against the Mets or at home versus the Brewers.