MLB Player News

Joyce (shoulder) said Friday that he's no longer throwing but will try again next week, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The fireballing reliever indicated that he has paused his throwing program because he didn't feel right while recently playing catch. Joyce was placed on the injured list April 11, and given his continued shoulder discomfort, he's likely at least a few weeks away from a potential return. Per Fletcher, tests on Joyce's shoulder haven't revealed anything beyond his original diagnosis of inflammation.

Phillips picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta after working around one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

In a somewhat interesting development, left-handed closer Tanner Scott was called upon to retire the bottom part of Atlanta's lineup, which included two right-handed batters, in the eighth inning for a hold. Phillips then replaced him in the ninth after a rain delay with the daunting task of putting out Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson, with Olson drawing a walk to get the possible tying run aboard before Phillips got Sean Murphy to ground out. It was the first save opportunity of the season for Phillips, who is now up to 4.2 scoreless innings with a 6:2 K:BB in six appearances this year.

Alexander (1-3) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Friday versus the Cubs.

The Brewers looked to shield Quinn Priester a bit in this contest, but Alexander's poor performance in the first inning ruined that plan. Alexander has allowed six runs over his last 7.2 innings across five relief appearances, including one scoreless three-inning effort that earned him a save. The southpaw looks to be a swingman at this point of the season, but he's pitched to an ugly 5.18 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings. He's typically a long reliever and has struggled in a variety of roles so far.

Lawrence cleared waivers Friday and elected free agency, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Lawrence was cast off Toronto's 40-man roster Wednesday, already marking the fourth time he's been designated for assignment this season. He'll elect to enter the open market this time around -- perhaps in search of a landing spot that might provide a bit more stability. He owns a 4.97 ERA and 1.66 WHIP with a 5:1 K:BB through 12.2 innings.

Bautista logged his sixth save of the season in Friday's 3-0 win over the Royals, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Bautista was tasked with preserving the Orioles' three-run lead and needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to get through the inning, inducing two groundouts with a strikeout in between. Bautista has converted all six of his save opportunities this season and has yielded just three walks and two hits over his last eight appearances (all scoreless), striking out nine batters.

Weaver earned the save against the Rays on Friday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Weaver came in for the ninth inning to preserve a three-run lead, and he did so with ease. He needed only 11 pitches (nine strikes) to close things out and finished the frame with back-to-back punchouts. Weaver has yet to yield a run over his 13 outings this season and has a 16:5 K:BB across 15 innings. He's taken over as the Yankees' go-to closer due to Devin Williams' poor start the season.

The Rockies recalled Blalock from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Blalock has appeared in three games (one start) for the Rockies this season, allowing eight runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out three over seven innings. He was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, but he'll return to the majors to give the Rockies another arm in the rotation after Ryan Feltner (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Kittredge (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kittredge has progressed swiftly after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during spring training. He will need several rehab outings before joining the Orioles' active roster, but the veteran reliever should be back before the end of May if all goes well.

Alexander is now listed as Milwaukee's starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Cubs, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Quinn Priester had originally been listed as Friday's probable starter, but the Brewers are turning to the left-handed Alexander as the opener ahead of Priester. Alexander started three games in April, but his last four appearances have come out of the bullpen. On the season, Alexander has a 4.56 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 23.2 innings. Expect Priester to still handle the bulk of the innings.

The Royals transferred Marsh (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Luke Maile. Marsh re-started a throwing program last week after being shut down for a bit, but he will need several weeks to ramp up, so the move to the 60-day IL doesn't alter his timetable.