MLB Player News

Shuster struck out two across three scoreless innings of relief Monday in the White Sox's 4-0 loss to the Guardians. He struck out two.

Shuster was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday and threw the most innings in a bullpen day for the White Sox. He didn't show overwhelming stuff -- he generated four swinging strikes on 45 total pitches -- but he managed to keep the ball on the ground to avoid any damage. Shuster may not immediately stick on the big-league roster as the team tries to cover innings when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up until Mike Clevinger is ready to make his season debut in May, but the White Sox have plenty of incentive to see if Shuster has the potential to stick in the big-league rotation at some point this summer.

Diekman (1-0) picked up the win Monday against Atlanta, allowing one run on zero hits and one walk in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

After shutting down Atlanta in the seventh inning, the southpaw came back out for the eighth and walked Michael Harris before exiting, only to see Drew Smith eventually issue a bases-loaded walk that stuck Diekman with a run on his ledger. He still got credit for the win after the Mets took the lead for good in the top of the eighth. Diekman's 8.10 ERA on the season is a bit deceptive, as he has a 1.20 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB through 3.1 innings, and he's picked up two holds in his four appearances in addition to Monday's win.

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.

Romano (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Mitchell writes that Romano "should be active soon after that if all goes well." Romano has had a late start to the season because of right elbow inflammation, but it sounds like he should be back closing games for the Blue Jays within the next week or so.

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.

Martinez (1-0) allowed one hit and no walks while striking out two across 3.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Monday against the Rangers.

The Astros pitching staff was put in a tough position after Framber Valdez (elbow) was scratched. That was exacerbated after Blair Henley managed only one out while allowing five runs, but Martinez followed him into the game and managed to tally his 11 outs on just 32 pitches. Martinez is capable of working multiple innings in relief but has never started a big-league game, so he'll almost certainly return to a more traditional role out of the bullpen moving forward.