MLB Player News

Hernandez was recalled Sunday from Triple-A Indianapolis, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hernandez will be brought up to the Pirates roster with pitcher Ryan Borucki being placed on the 15-day IL with left triceps inflammation. The second-year reliever pitched two games in late March, logging two innings and one save before getting sent down to Triple-A. Though he was called up concurrently with Borucki's injury, Hernandez could keep his spot if able to perform well when called from the bullpen.

Antone was removed from Sunday's game against the Mets with an apparent elbow injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The right-hander entered for the sixth inning but threw just one pitch before departing with the injury. It's a potentially ominous development for Antone, who finished last season on the injured list with elbow tendinitis after spending most of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Merryweather has seen the mound in four games this year, posting a 1.93 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 4.2 innings for the Cubs, and the injury likely occurred in his most recent outing Friday against the Dodgers, when he struck out three while recording a hold. Due to the fifth-year pitcher's injury hiatus, Chicago has brought up Daniel Palencia from Triple-A Iowa. Merryweather will be eligible to return before the end of April but has no official timeline for his return.

Borucki was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left triceps inflammation, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The left-hander presumably picked up the injury during his last outing Friday versus Baltimore, when he allowed two runs on three hits over one-third of an inning. Borucki doesn't have an official timeline for his return but will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks.

Arizona designated Martin for assignment Sunday.

The Diamondbacks selected infielder Kevin Newman's contract from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move, with Arizona making room for him on the 26-man active roster by placing shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) on the 15-day injured list. Once one of the more prized young arms in Arizona's organization, Martin is now 28 years old and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and required another major operation last spring, when he had a procedure to address a right lat tendon avulsion. Martin ended up missing the entire 2023 season, and though he's been healthy to begin the 2024 campaign, he's been lit up for three earned runs on three hits and three walks over three innings between his first two relief appearances at Triple-A Reno.

Alvarez picked up a save against the Nationals on Saturday, striking out one over one scoreless inning while issuing one walk.

Alvarado entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and retired three of the four batters he faced to record his second save of the season. The left-hander has now made four scoreless appearances since his five-run meltdown to open the season, recording two saves over that stretch. On the downside, it took the left-hander 28 pitches to get the job done Saturday, and he's now issued at least one walk in four of five appearances this season.

Pagan (1-0) picked up the win in a 9-6 comeback victory over the Mets on Saturday. He allowed one hit over a scoreless eighth inning.

Pagan benefitted from Cincinnati's five-run uprising in the bottom of the eighth to earn his first win of the season. It's been a rocky start for Pagan, who is expected to serve as the primary setup reliever. He's still working off the impact of giving up two runs on Opening Day and has allowed two home runs through 4.2 innings. Pagan allowed just five homers in 69.1 innings last season for Minnesota.

Bednar was charged with the blown save Saturday against the Orioles after allowing one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He struck out one batter.

Bednar struck out the first batter he faced but then allowed back-to-back singles and uncorked a wild pitch to put the tying run at third base. Cedric Mullins then tied the game on a fielder's choice. While it wasn't a disastrous outing, and the Pirates would go on to win the game in extras, it was Bednar's second blown save already this season and there are some lingering questions about his health after the right-hander battled a lat injury in spring training. Aroldis Chapman has been pitching the eighth and is still throwing in the upper 90s, so he's presumably next in line behind Bednar for closing duties.

Iglesias didn't allow a hit or a walk in a scoreless inning Saturday to notch his first save of the season in a 9-8 win over the Diamondbacks.

Iglesias put the tying run on with one out when he hit Eugenio Suarez with a pitch, and a pinch runner moved up to second base with two outs on a sac bunt. However, Iglesias escaped the threat by getting Gabriel Moreno to ground out to end it. Though he has managed just the one save on a five-win Atlanta team, Iglesias has been sharp in the early going with three scoreless outings.

Helsley gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander needed only six pitches (five strikes) to breeze through the middle of Miami's order. Helsley has blown one save chance already, but he has a 5:0 K:BB through five innings and has reeled off four straight scoreless appearances. If he can stay healthy in 2024, he should be able to top the career-high 19 saves he produced in 2022.