MLB Player News

Harvey (hand) struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday.

The right-hander was removed from his last appearance Tuesday after being struck by a comebacker on his glove hand, but Harvey looked 100 percent Friday as he fired 16 of 20 pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old has been the Nationals' best reliever to begin the season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB through 6.1 innings with a win and four holds in six appearances, but manager Dave Martinez has so far preferred using Harvey as his high-leverage relief ace while leaving Kyle Finnegan in the closer role.

Finnegan (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up an unearned run on a hit and a walk in the 10th inning against the A's. He struck out one.

The right-hander couldn't prevent the phantom runner from crossing the plate, even after intentionally walking Shea Langeliers to lead off the 10th to set up a potential double play. Finnegan has been shaky to start the season, posting a 6.75 ERA and 5:5 K:BB through 5.1 innings, but he's converted four of five save chances and his spot as the Nats' closer doesn't seem to be at risk for now.

The Reds optioned Spiers to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Spiers will be squeezed off the MLB roster following the return of Nick Lodolo (calf) from the injured list Saturday. Spiers allowed four runs (three earned) in his lone appearance during his stint in the majors and could return to Cincinnati later this season to give the Reds' bullpen a fresh arm.

Thompson tossed two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Mariners.

Thompson was called up from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day with Jose Cuas getting sent down, and he immediately had a positive impact. The righty can give the Cubs some length out of the bullpen, as he's a former rotation member who made 23 starts for the team between 2021 and 2022. While he could vulture a win here and there, Thompson is unlikely to have a huge fantasy impact in his current role.

Bednar earned a save in Friday's 5-2 win over Philadelphia, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Bednar turned in a much-needed strong performance Friday after giving up four runs and recording his third blown save of the year during Tuesday's loss to Detroit. He looked much more like his All-Star self against the Phillies, throwing 11 of 16 pitches for strikes and striking out Nick Castellanos on three pitches to begin the ninth. It's still too early to tell if Bednar has fully gotten past his early-season struggles, but Friday was certainly a step in the right direction.

Helsley struck out two batters in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Helsley worked quickly Friday, needing just 11 pitches to finish off the 9-6 win. He's now converted five of his six save chances through eight appearances. He lowered his ERA to 3.38 with a strong 9:1 K:BB. Helsley has punched out four batters in two perfect frames since taking a loss against the Phillies on April 8.

Megill (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Megill has been sidelined due to a concussion since April 3. He threw a bullpen session earlier in the week without any issues and doesn't project to spend much time on his rehab assignment, making it likely he returns to the Brewers' bullpen within a few days. Megill threw two scoreless innings and struck out three batters during Milwaukee's season-opening series against the Mets.

Sewald (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Saturday's bullpen session will mark Sewald's first opportunity to throw off a mound since he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain in late March. He will likely require additional bullpen sessions before progressing to facing live hitters and potentially a rehab assignment in the minors, but the right-hander seems to be trending toward a return in late April. Until then, Kevin Ginkel will continue serving as Arizona's closer.

The Padres recalled Morejon from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Morejon pitched two-thirds of an inning during San Diego's series in South Korea but was optioned to Triple-A ahead of its domestic opener. He's given up two runs across 6.1 minor-league frames and will now return to the Padres to provide additional bullpen depth. Pedro Avila was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Padres designated Avila for assignment Friday.

Avila has struggled in his four outings this season, allowing eight runs on five hits and six walks while striking out nine in eight innings over that span. In a corresponding move, the Padres recalled left-hander Adrian Morejon from Triple-A El Paso.