MLB Player News

Rea will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

After covering 5.1 scoreless innings across his three relief appearances to begin the season, Rea will pick up his first start of the season Sunday and could be in line for an extended stay in the rotation. Manager Craig Counsell announced Sunday that Justin Steele -- who was placed on the injured list earlier in the week -- would require season-ending elbow surgery, creating a permanent opening in the rotation that will at least temporarily fall to Rea until Javier Assad (oblique) completes his rehab assignment and is activated from the IL. Since Rea maxed out at 65 pitches over his three relief appearances and three Cactus League appearances, he'll likely be slightly limited from a workload perspective Sunday, but he should be capable of handling a traditional starting role in any additional outings that follow.

Megill is set to receive a second opinion on his knee this week after recently undergoing an MRI, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Megill got his knee checked out a few days earlier, but he wasn't shut down after the MRI came back clean, and he proceeded to pitch in both of the Brewers' first two games of their series in Arizona this weekend. Though he struck out two and allowed one walk in a scoreless inning in Friday's 7-0 win, Megill unraveled in Saturday's 5-4 loss, blowing a save chance and recording just one out while giving up three earned runs on two hits and three walks. After the disastrous performance, Megill is getting examined again as a precaution, but the right-hander didn't use the injury as an excuse for the blown save while speaking to the media Sunday. He'll presumably remain available for Sunday's series finale, though the Brewers will probably look to stay away from him after he tossed 37 pitches over the past two days.

Faucher struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 7-6 win over the Nationals.

Anthony Bender threw 24 pitches Friday en route to his first loss of the season, so Faucher got his turn to handle closing duties Saturday and had no trouble dispatching Washington's 9-1-2 hitters, ending the game by getting James Wood to offer at a curveball in the dirt for strike three. Faucher's had a bumpy beginning to the season, posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB through his first 5.1 innings, but he remains in the high-leverage mix for Miami along with Bender.

Lee (1-1) picked up the win Saturday against the Rays, giving up two hits and a walk in a scoreless eighth inning.

It wasn't the cleanest outing, but the left-hander helped his own cause by picking off Jose Caballero as he attempted to steal third base. Lee was then in the right place to collect his first win of 2025 when Atlanta completed a late comeback with a two-run homer by Michael Harris in the top of the ninth. Through seven appearances this season, Lee has a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 3:2 K:BB over 6.2 innings with two holds.

Chapman (2-1) was tagged for his first loss Saturday as the Red Sox fell 3-2 to the White Sox. He allowed a run on a walk and a single while striking out one over a third of an inning.

Chapman had not allowed a run over his first six appearances. He gave up a leadoff walk to Luis Robert, who eventually stole second base and scored on a Brooks Baldwin walk-off single. Through six innings this season, Chapman has a 1.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB while converting both his save chances.

The Nationals placed Ribalta on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right biceps strain, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Ribalta made his last appearance Tuesday against the Dodgers, during which he allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three in three innings (58 pitches). According to Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com, Ribalta felt tightness in his arm coming out of the appearance and was diagnosed with a bicep strain. Ribalta underwent an MRI earlier Sunday, but the severity of his injury won't be known until the results of his tests are in. With Ribalta sidelined, the Nationals replenished their bullpen by recalling Cole Henry from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.

The Nationals recalled Henry from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Washington placed reliever Orlando Ribalta (biceps) on the 15-day injured list. Henry will be available out of Washington's bullpen and could make his major-league debut as soon as Sunday's game against Miami. A 2020 second-round draft pick, Henry had spent most of his minor-league career as a starter before shifting to the bullpen this season and tossing a pair of scoreless innings for Rochester prior to his call-up.

Estrada walked one and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning Saturday against Colorado to earn a hold.

Estrada handled the seventh inning after starter Kyle Hart gave San Diego six scoreless frames. The righty reliever walked the first batter he faced but subsequently induced a double-play grounder before ending the frame with a strikeout. Estrada has had an excellent start to the campaign, allowing just one run through 8.1 innings while posting a 10:3 K:BB.

The Royals recalled Sisk from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Sisk will make his MLB debut if/when he gets into a game with the Royals. Kansas City added the lefty reliever to its 40-man roster over the winter after he submitted a 1.56 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 81 batters in 57.2 innings with Omaha in 2024. He had gotten off to a nice start with Omaha this season, having yet to allow a run while striking out four over 4.2 innings.

The Royals placed Long on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to left elbow inflammation.

Long's move to the IL comes after he gave up three earned runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in relief in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians. The elbow issue may have contributed to the left-hander's struggles this season, as he's turned in a 12.86 ERA and 2.43 WHIP across seven appearances. Kansas City called up southpaw Evan Sisk from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.