MLB Player News

Pallante (2-2) allowed three hits and a walk over five scoreless frames Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rockies.

Pallante never found himself in too much trouble as he cruised to a win Sunday. He fired 45 of 68 pitches for strikes, including 13 whiffs. That matched his total swinging strikes generated over his previous 14 MLB innings entering Sunday's start. Since rejoining the MLB roster, Pallante has gone 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA, though all his earned runs came in one appearance. He's currently slated to make his next start on the road against the Cubs.

Diaz (shoulder) pitched a scoreless inning Sunday for High-A Brooklyn and could return from the 15-day injured list as soon as Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

A report from earlier in the week suggested Diaz could return Wednesday or Thursday, so DiComo's report bumps up his potential return by a day. Catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb) is also tracking toward a potential return from the IL on Tuesday.

Neris picked up his ninth save of the season Sunday against the Reds, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner.

Neris was sharp, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a groundout to secure a 4-2 victory for the Cubs. The 34-year-old veteran has enjoyed a nice start to the month of June, notching saves in three of his four appearances and a win in the other. During that stretch, Neris has pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while collecting six strikeouts.

Graterol (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session this week in Arizona, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

As Plunkett notes, this is the first positive news regarding Graterol in a while, as he has been out all season due to right shoulder inflammation/pain. The hard-throwing righty would likely need to throw several bullpen sessions before advancing to face live hitters.

Smith earned his second save Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies.

Smith entered the game with two on and one out attempting to preserve a two-run lead after Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett had gotten seven outs between them beginning in the seventh inning. A base hit allowed an inherited runner to score, but Smith then benefitted from a great defensive play by Mets catcher Luis Torrens, who started a 2-3 double play to end the game. It was far from a clean outing for Smith, who was making just his second appearance since returning from an IL stint of more than a month due to shoulder inflammation. The right-hander will continue to hold a high-leverage spot in the Mets' bullpen and get occasional save chances while the team awaits the return to health and form of Edwin Diaz (shoulder).

Alvarado (1-3) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Mets. He struck out two.

Alvarado entered the game with a one-run lead looking to preserve his 12th save, but things went downhill quickly. After allowing a walk and a single to start the inning, an infield single by Mark Vientos tied the game. Then with the bases loaded and one out, a hit-by-pitch followed by a passed ball allowed two more runners to score, saddling Alvarado with his second blown save and third loss of the season. Sunday's outing came on the heels of five consecutive scoreless appearances since his last blown save, which came May 24 in Colorado. The outing lifted Alvarado's ERA to 3.54 with a 1.14 WHIP and 31 strikeouts through 28 innings this season.

Spiers pitched 5.2 scoreless innings of relief Sunday against the Cubs, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out seven.

Spiers got called up Sunday morning and immediately saw game action, relieving Frankie Montas in the second inning. The long reliever made his fifth appearance of the season for the Reds, replacing Emilio Pagan (lat) in the bullpen. The 26-year-old dominated the Cubs, punching out seven batters and lowering his ERA from 3.29 to 2.33. It remains to be seen if Spiers will be used as a starter, but he should continue to work in a multi-inning role -- Spiers has pitched three or more innings in all of his appearances this season.

Junis (shoulder) will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday in Arizona and will pitch in either a simulated game or in a rookie-level Arizona Complex League game, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The right-hander made his second rehab outing with Triple-A Nashville on Saturday and allowed one run on two hits and one walk over 2.1 innings. Depending how Wednesday's outing goes, Junis could then be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list, but it's unclear whether the Brewers plan to have him serve in a starting role or as a multi-inning reliever.

Wilson (3-3) took the loss Sunday against Detroit, surrendering seven earned runs on six hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Wilson uncharacteristically got shelled Sunday, allowing more than three earned runs for the first time this season. The 26-year-old did not allow a home run for the first time since May 6, but Wilson has been struggling after a hot start to the season. Over his past six appearances, Wilson has allowed five or more hits in all of them, pitching to a 6.11 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP over 28 innings. He will look to rebound in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend versus Cincinnati.

Triple-A Albuquerque reinstated Justice (undisclosed) from its 7-day injured list Friday.

Justice made his first appearance for Albuquerque since April 13 on Saturday, giving up one earned run on three walks while retiring one batter in Albuquerque's 7-4 win over Sacramento. The reliever was cleared to rejoin Albuquerque after making three rehab appearances, two in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and one with Single-A Fresno.