MLB Player News

Megill blew the save in Monday's loss to the Marlins. He allowed one run on two hits and no walks over one inning while striking out one.

Megill gathered the first two outs of the ninth inning on three pitches before yielding a single to Nick Gordon. Gordon promptly stole second and then was subsequently driven home via an Otto Lopez single to tie the game. This is Megill's first blown save of the season, so he should maintain his role as the Milwaukee closer.

Salazar was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, and he'll now be placed on waivers after being dropped from the Dodgers' 40-man roster. If he goes unclaimed, he'll likely remain with Oklahoma City. The Dodgers acquired reliever Yohan Ramirez via trade from the Mets on Monday, and he'll replace Salazar on the 40-man roster and join the Dodgers ahead of their three-game series with the Diamondbacks.

Kelly (shoulder) is set to begin his throwing program Monday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Kelly has been on the 15-day injured list since May 6 with a right shoulder strain, and he will now take the first step toward making his return. The right-hander will likely need to build up his workload and even potentially make a trip to the minors for a rehab assignment. Kelly will receive a timetable for his return, which currently appears to be at least a week away, based on how his shoulder responds to the beginning of his throwing program.

Phillips (hamstring) is expected to make 2-to-3 rehab appearances before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Stephen estimates that Phillips is about a week away from a return, though how the right-hander fares during his rehab outings will ultimately dictate his exact return date. He's been shut down since May 3 after suffering a right hamstring strain.

Middleton (forearm) will be evaluated for potential activation from the injured list following back-to-back rehab appearances with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday and Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Middleton hasn't allowed a hit or a run in two scoreless rehab innings so far, although he's also walked three and has not recorded a strikeout. He's been out all season with a right forearm strain.

Gallegos (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It will be his third since going on the injured list two weeks ago with a right shoulder impingement. Gallegos could continue with his mound work after that or perhaps will be cleared to begin a rehab assignment. It sounds like he might be ready to rejoin the Cardinals' bullpen in late May or early June.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Thompson is a candidate to start Saturday versus the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It sounds like the decision will come down to either Thompson or Andre Pallante, although the team doesn't appear close to making that call. Thompson was sent down last month after posting a 9.53 ERA over five appearances (two starts). He's managed to put up a 1.84 ERA in 14.2 frames with Triple-A Memphis, although that's come with a 14:13 K:BB.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Pallante could be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to start Saturday against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals are moving Matthew Liberatore back to the bullpen after trying him out for a few starts, but the team still has an opening in the rotation while Steven Matz (back) remains on the injured list. Pallante hasn't started a game in the majors since 2022 but has been getting stretched back out at Memphis. His results have been mixed, as he's managed a 2.20 ERA but also an ugly 9:13 K:BB over 16.1 frames. Zack Thompson is the other main candidate to draw Saturday's start.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Liberatore is unlikely to start Saturday versus the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The Cards have gone back and forth on the best role for Liberatore, and the team's brain trust seems to have now settled on deploying the young left-hander out of the bullpen, where he had some success early on in the season. Andre Pallante and Zack Thompson are considered the leading candidates to start Saturday.

Banda (1-0) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Reds, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of relief.

After being acquired in a trade with Cleveland on Friday, Banda was brought up to Los Angeles on Sunday and was asked to keep the Reds offense at bay in the top of the 10th inning. The southpaw was successful in doing so, keeping the automatic runner from coming home in a nine-pitch frame. Banda bounced between six teams over the past four campaigns and hasn't yet shown an extended run of MLB success, so he's likely to work primarily in lower-leverage spots with the Dodgers for the time being.