MLB Player News

Hoffman (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning Monday. He struck out one, blew a save chance and earned a win over the Phillies.

Hoffman coughed up the 3-1 lead in the ninth inning after Jose Alvarado worked a clean eighth but the Phillies quickly took the lead back in the 10th to get Hoffman the victory. Hoffman had turned in 4.1 scoreless frames prior to Monday's hiccup. As of now, Alvarado still appears to be the team's top ninth-inning option.

Soto allowed one hit in a scoreless frame Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Cardinals.

Soto was in a first-and-third jam with just one out but punched out Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado to close out the 5-3 win in the 10th inning. This came after Jeff Hoffman blew a save chance in the ninth. Soto now has a save and two holds with a 5:0 K:BB through 3.2 shutout frames.

Diaz picked up the save Monday against Milwaukee. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one walk and no hits, with no strikeouts.

Diaz entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead but didn't pitch as cleanly as his line looks. Not only did he walk Christian Yelich in the inning, but he also beaned Sal Frelick before wrapping up the save with a Rhys Hoskins flyball. Diaz remains the main saves option in Cincinnati despite his rocky start with a 7.20 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over his first five appearances.

Merryweather (ribs/back) underwent additional testing Monday and it was determined that he is dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, but manager Craig Counsell announced his updated injury status Monday, stating that the right hander will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Merryweather is now set to be on the shelf well past the minimum stay on the IL and in the meantime, Daniel Palencia will likely stick around the major-league bullpen.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Varland will return to Triple-A after being recalled by the Dodgers on April 6. He pitched against the Cubs on April 7, when he gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit over 0.1 innings. Prior to his call-up, Varland appeared in three games for OKC, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk over 3.2 innings.

Antone will undergo surgery Friday to repair a torn tendon and partially torn ligament in his right elbow, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Antone has already had Tommy John surgery twice, with the second one occurring in 2021. He had numerous setbacks after the latter operation and has made just nine appearances at the major-league level since 2022. Now Antone is facing another season-ending surgery.

Antone was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Reds on Monday with right elbow inflammation.

Antone had to be pulled from an appearance Sunday versus the Mets and was sent for an MRI. It's not clear whether the results of the imaging are in, but at minimum he'll be on the shelf for the next couple weeks. Antone has been plagued by elbow issues over the past three seasons.

Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Mets on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Ramirez has been blasted for seven earned runs over 5.1 innings for the Mets this season. Cole Sulser will absorb his spot in the bullpen.

Walker (1-0) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win Sunday over the Padres.

Walker set down the heart of the Padres' order without problems, and the Giants rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning to make him the pitcher of record. The right-hander allowed a run in his season debut, but he's pitched 4.2 scoreless innings since then. He's allowed four hits and one walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings on the year, and it appears he'll be trusted with some late-inning assignments in close games after serving in a fireman role last season.

Raley walked two in a scoreless seventh inning Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a win over the Reds.

The southpaw has been one of the few bright spots for the Mets to begin the season. Raley has posted a 0.00 ERA and 4:3 K:BB through his first 4.1 innings, picking up holds in all three of his team's wins. The 35-year-old racked up a career-high 25 holds in 2023, and he's well on his way to matching or topping that number this year.