MLB Player News

Bednar (1-1) was charged with the loss and blown save Tuesday after he retired just one of the seven batters he faced during a 5-3 loss to the Tigers. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk.

The right-hander also plunked a pair of batters as he threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes. It's an exclamation point on a worrying start to the season for Bednar, who is 1-for-4 in save chances and has already surrendered six earned runs after giving up exactly 15 in each of the previous three seasons. Manager Derek Shelton admitted that Bednar's lack of spring reps due to a lat injury has likely played a role in the struggles, per Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but there's been no indication at this point that a change at closer is coming.

Holderman (illness) could be activated from the injured list Thursday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Holderman rejoined the Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday as a member of the taxi squad and appears slated for activation when the team heads out on its road trip. The setup man has gotten off to a late start this season because of an illness.

Ryan was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates on Tuesday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ryan has permitted four runs over 5.1 relief innings with Pittsburgh this season. The Pirates have not announced a corresponding move, but it could be Colin Holderman (illness) returning from the injured list.

The Brewers transferred Williams (back) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move doesn't change Williams' timetable, as he is slated to be out until at least mid-June while recovering from two stress fractures in his back. Kevin Herget will take Williams' spot on the 40-man roster.

King was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The left-hander will move off the major-league roster to make room for Sonny Gray (hamstring), who is returning from the injured list to make his season debut Tuesday. King appeared in two games for the Cardinals and allowed a run on three hits with a 4:0 K:BB over 2.1 innings.

Borucki (triceps) is expected to begin a throwing program soon, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Borucki landed on the injured list over the weekend with left triceps inflammation, but he's already feeling better and it sounds like he could require only a minimum stay on the IL. The left-hander collected a 2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 33:4 K:BB over 40.1 innings with Pittsburgh in 2023.

Diekman (1-0) picked up the win Monday against Atlanta, allowing one run on zero hits and one walk in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

After shutting down Atlanta in the seventh inning, the southpaw came back out for the eighth and walked Michael Harris before exiting, only to see Drew Smith eventually issue a bases-loaded walk that stuck Diekman with a run on his ledger. He still got credit for the win after the Mets took the lead for good in the top of the eighth. Diekman's 8.10 ERA on the season is a bit deceptive, as he has a 1.20 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB through 3.1 innings, and he's picked up two holds in his four appearances in addition to Monday's win.

Covey (shoulder) was cleared to resume throwing bullpen sessions at extended spring training in Florida over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

Covey was able to get back on the mound for the first time since making his final Grapefruit League appearance March 1 before being shut down with a right shoulder strain. As a reliever, Covey won't require as extensive of a buildup program as a starting pitcher would, but the right-hander is still likely at least a couple weeks away from being ready to return from the 15-day injured list.

Mears allowed one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Mears entered the game in the ninth inning with Colorado up by three and the chance to earn the first save of his career. He allowed only one ball out of the infield -- it was caught for an out -- but he struggled significantly with his control and was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs. Jake Bird relieved Mears and tallied the final out of the game to earn the save. Meanwhile, Justin Lawrence was used in a setup role, but Tyler Kinley -- who was unavailable Monday -- will likely be next in for saves over both Bird or Mears.

Kerkering (forearm/illness) will make two more rehab appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and Thursday before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Luke Arcaini of 102.5 FM Philadelphia reports.

Assuming he comes out of those outings with no issues, Kerkering should rejoin the Phillies bullpen when they return home this weekend for the start of a 10-game homestand. Kerkering has been out all season with a right forearm strain and an illness. He'll eventually be in line for high-leverage appearances, but it's possible the Phillies will ease him into those situations.