MLB Player News

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.

The Cubs list Brown as their probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in San Diego.

Brown pitched out of the bullpen in his first two appearances with the Cubs, so Tuesday's start will be the first of his major-league career. The 24-year-old struggled mightily in his MLB debut, allowing six runs in 1.2 innings against the Rangers, but he bounced back with four innings of one-run ball against the Rockies last week. Brown impressed in spring training and looks promising in the long term, but he will be a high-risk option against a Padres team that ranks second in scoring offense so far this season behind only the Dodgers.

Phillips earned the save Monday, firing a scoreless, hitless inning during which he recorded one strikeout.

Phillips notched a clean inning for his fourth save of 2024, placing him in a four-way tie for the most saves in MLB. Outside of a hiccup in his appearance Saturday, Phillips has been near perfect this season, having allowed just one hit and no runs in his other five outings combined.

Lawrence allowed one walk and no hits while striking out two across a scoreless inning Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Lawrence entered the game in the eighth inning to face the fourth, fifth and sixth batters in the Arizona lineup with the Rockies up by two. While he was effective, the team opted not to use him for two innings and thus bypassed him for a save chance. Lawrence has now turned in scoreless efforts in three of his four appearances this season, and he could continue to appear in the most high-leverage scenarios rather than exclusively in save situations.

Lopez gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in an 8-7 victory over Atlanta.

Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had indicated Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley were all getting the night off due to their heavy workload early in the season, which pushed the team's other bullpen arms into high-leverage spots. Lopez got the call in the ninth to protect a two-run lead, and while his ability to close things out looked dicey when Matt Olson led off the frame with a double, the right-hander was able to escape the jam. Lopez did record 23 saves with a 2.54 ERA in a breakout 2022 before crashing back to earth last season, but he's had a solid start to the current campaign, picking up a hold as well as Monday's save over six appearances with a 3.18 ERA and 4:3 K:BB in 5.2 innings. He's unlikely to see many more save chances, but as a bridge to the Mets' usual late-inning crew, the 31-year-old could rack up double-digit holds for the second straight season.

The Dodgers outrighted Lamet to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday after he cleared waivers.

Lamet was removed from the 40-man roster after making three appearances for the Dodgers, but he will remain in the organization. The righty will presumably be used in relief at OKC.

McGough (0-3) was charged with the loss in Monday's game against the Rockies. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

McGough entered to start the sixth inning and walked the first batter, who came around to score the tying run. He was out of the game by the time Joe Mantiply allowed two inherited runners to score, which saddled McGough with a third loss in his last three outings. McGough has a 6.35 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 5.2 innings thus far in 2024.

Alzolay (1-1) was tagged with a blown save and a loss against the Padres on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Chicago built what looked to be an insurmountable 8-0 lead by the midpoint of the fourth inning, but San Diego came storming back with seven runs in the sixth. The Cubs' bullpen was able to hold onto the one-run lead until the eighth, and Alzolay was brought in with one out and one runner on base in that frame, possibly to try to complete a multi-inning save. He struck out Xander Bogaerts to begin his outing before surrendering a two-run homer to Fernando Tatis that provided the winning margin for San Diego. The blown save was the second of the season for Alzolay, who also failed to convert a save chance Opening Day.