MLB Player News

McGough allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Mariners.

McGough entered the game on short notice in the sixth inning, inheriting one runner after starter Zac Gallen was removed with a hamstring injury. The reliever allowed a single, walk then a grand slam to Mitch Haniger, the second consecutive appearance in which McGough has ceded a home run. It was the fourth time in the last six outings he's allowed earned runs, and his ERA spiked to 7.30 following Friday's effort.

Sewald (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Sewald threw 21 pitches (14 strikes) in a rehab appearance earlier in the week and felt the right kind of soreness a day later. Following Saturday's session and presuming all goes well, the reliever is likely to head out for a second rehab outing.

Bednar (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Giants after he allowed three runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton turned to his closer in the bottom of the ninth of a scoreless tie, but Bednar gave up a walk and a single before serving up a walk-off, three-run homer to Patrick Bailey. Bednar entered the contest with three straight scoreless appearances, but he has now allowed at least three runs in three separate outings and has a 12.00 ERA across nine innings overall. The right-hander is 4-for-7 in save opportunities and has seen his job security decline significantly after beginning the campaign as one of the top closers in MLB with 58 saves and a 2.27 ERA in the previous two seasons.

The Pirates recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Nicolas ended the 2023 season as part of the Pirates' bullpen. He struggled in his four outings, giving up seven runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out seven over 5.1 frames. Nicolas has looked better in Triple-A this season, posting a 0.84 ERA and 2.06 WHIP over 10.2 innings, and he'll get another shot in the majors. The move corresponds with Ryder Ryan being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

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

Estrada was sent down to Triple-A following the two-game Korea Series against the Dodgers. He's appeared in eight games with El Paso, registering a 2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 20:3 K:BB and three saves over 8.2 frames, and the right-hander is set to bolster the Padres' bullpen. Estrada's move to the majors corresponds with right-hander Randy Vasquez being optioned to Triple-A El Paso.

The Marlins recalled Maldonado from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Maldonado will make his major-league debut Friday as the opener against the Nationals. The 26-year-old has a 2.31 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings with Jacksonville this season.

Maldonado will be recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville to serve as the Marlins' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Maldonado will be making his major-league debut after posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings with Jacksonville this season. Since Maldonado hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his eight appearances this season, he's unlikely to stay in the game long. Kyle Tyler could be a candidate for the bulk role behind Maldonado.

Chapman (0-2) allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out one to take the loss Thursday against the Brewers.

Chapman entered the game in the eighth inning to protect a one-run lead. He initially ran into some bad luck when a runner reached base on weak contact that didn't leave the infield, but the veteran lefty then threw a wild pitch and served up a home run to Gary Sanchez. Chapman began the season with 5.1 scoreless innings, but he's since allowed six earned runs across his last 2.2 frames and four appearances.

The Marlins reinstated Brazoban (personal) from the restricted list Thursday.

Brazoban landed on the restricted list prior to Opening Day due to visa issues, which have evidently been resolved. Though he's now back on the Marlins' 40-man roster, it's unclear when the reliever might be ready to join the 26-man active roster. Since he missed all of spring training, Brazoban will presumably need to make several appearances in the minors before being an option for the big-league bullpen.

Payamps pitched a scoreless eighth inning of Thursday's 7-5 win over the Pirates, giving up one hit and one walk en route to claiming his third hold of the season.

Just one day after notching his fourth save of the season, Payamps moved to a setup role Thursday, with Trevor Megill coming on in the ninth inning to nab his first save. Brewers manager Pat Murphy hasn't clarified that Megill will be the team's top option for save chances moving forward, so Payamps could end finding himself as part of a committee at closer with Megill and perhaps Abner Uribe.