MLB Player News

Stratton (2-1) did not allow a baserunner and struck out one batter over 1.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday versus the Blue Jays.

Stratton allowed an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly after relieving starter Michael Wacha in the fifth inning. The Royals rallied ahead in the bottom of the fifth and Stratton delivered a perfect sixth en route to the win. He hasn't been charged with a run over his last five innings and now has a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB over 11 innings on the year. Stratton's history as a starter makes him an option for multi-inning assignments. He can also work in the late innings, though James McArthur (five) has the advantage for save chances so far, while Stratton and Will Smith (one each) are the only other Royals to pick up a save this season.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Sewald (oblique) is meeting with the Diamondbacks medical team to determine whether he needs another rehab appearance or if he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sewald allowed one unearned run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in his first rehab outing at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. That outing might be the only rehab appearance that Sewald needs, as Lovullo noted that the right-hander is "getting extremely close" to a return to the Arizona bullpen. Sewald has been out all season with a strained left oblique, but he should take over as the team's closer once he's activated.

Sanchez is scheduled to start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander will be making his first MLB start since Oct. 8, 2020, when he faced Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. After missing most of the ensuing three seasons while recovering from shoulder problems, Sanchez has been healthy thus far in 2024 while operating in a relief role for Miami, producing a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 7.1 innings. He hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his seven appearances, so Sanchez shouldn't be expected to work more than two or three innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. If Miami doesn't add another pitcher to its active roster ahead of Wednesday's contest, Kyle Tyler -- who has yet to make his 2024 MLB debut but covered 3.1 innings in his last appearance for Triple-A Jacksonville on April 14 -- would appear to be the most logical option to work behind Sanchez in bulk relief.

Gibaut (forearm) will resume his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Gibaut experienced renewed discomfort in his forearm following his most recent rehab appearance April 16, but fortunately for the right-hander, a week off was seemingly all he needed to bounce back from the setback. Since opening the season on the 15-day injured list, Gibaut has made five rehab appearances between Louisville and High-A Dayton, giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven over 4.1 innings.

The Cardinals recalled King from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

King will provide the St. Louis bullpen with a fresh arm after Zack Thompson -- who gave up seven earned runs over two innings of relief in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to the Diamondbacks -- was optioned to Memphis in a corresponding move. Acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline last summer, King has previously made 22 total appearances as a member of the Cardinals, logging a 1.71 ERA while collecting 10 holds and one win over 21 innings.

The Cardinals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Thompson broke camp with the Cardinals in a starting role, but he was moved to the bullpen upon Sonny Gray's return from the injured list earlier this month after giving up eight earned runs over 10.1 innings between his first two turns through the rotation. The left-hander didn't adapt well to the shift to a relief role, as he produced a 13.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in 6.2 innings across his three appearances out of the bullpen before St. Louis opted to send him to the minors. Thompson will likely slot into the rotation as he heads to Memphis.

Alexander is no longer scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers, but he's likely to pitch in bulk relief while Shawn Armstrong serves as the Rays' opening pitcher.

Though Alexander operated as a starter his last time out Friday against the Yankees and struck out four over 5.1 scoreless innings, he looks set to appear out of the bullpen for his upcoming turn through the rotation. Working in bulk relief isn't anything out of the ordinary for Alexander, who previously tossed six innings of two-run ball behind Armstrong in an April 14 win over the Giants. The arrangement should put Alexander in better position to be credited with a win, if the Rays are able to come away with a victory in the series finale versus Detroit.

Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Armstrong will draw his third "start" of the season, but he hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his eight appearances and is unlikely to work more than once through the batting order, if that. Manager Kevin Cash hasn't outlined his plans for once Armstrong exits the game, but Tyler Alexander is available on his standard four days' rest and will presumably operate as a bulk reliever after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in his last start Friday against the Yankees.

Wilson is slated to serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Wilson will take the hill for his second start in his last three appearances, with his most recent outing coming in relief Saturday, when he tossed 1.1 innings against the Cardinals en route to scooping up a win. Since he'll be taking the hill Wednesday on three days' rest and hasn't recorded more than 11 outs in any of his seven appearances on the season, Wilson likely won't reach the five innings he'll need to hit to qualify for a win. The Brewers aren't expected to have a designated bulk reliever work behind Wilson, but unless the team calls up another pitcher from the minors prior to Wednesday's contest, Bryan Hudson -- who tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in his last appearance Sunday -- represents the most logical option to fill multiple innings once Wilson exits the game, if needed.

Holmes struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the A's.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to carve up the bottom of the Oakland order. Holmes has been brilliant to begin the season, converting nine of 10 save chances with a 0.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB through 12 innings, and he sits one ahead of the Padres' Robert Suarez for the MLB saves lead.