MLB Player News

Finnegan (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Sunday against the Reds. He allowed three runs on three hits and no walks with no strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning.

Finnegan began his outing Sunday by promptly generating two outs via lineouts and looked well on his way to a second save in as many days. However, the Reds lineup had a different idea as the next three batters each produced an extra-base hit. Finnegan yielded a double to Jonathan India, a game-tying homer to Will Benson and a walk-off homer to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Finnegan didn't have the strongest grip on the Nationals' closer job before this game, so keep an eye on this bullpen, as Hunter Harvey could easily enter the discussion for saves in Washington.

Hurt was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hurt opened the 2024 campaign on the major-league roster, appearing in two contests prior to being sent down Sunday. The right hander allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings, and he'll likely earn another shot with the Dodgers relatively soon. In a corresponding move, Nabil Crismatt will replace Hurt in the team's bullpen for the time being.

Crismatt had his contract selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Sunday's series finale with the Cardinals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Crismatt will join the Dodgers' bullpen as the team looks to take three out of four against St. Louis at home. The right-hander appeared in eight major-league contests last season with the Padres and Diamondbacks, producing a disappointing 8.31 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 13 innings. In a pair of corresponding moves, Kyle Hurt was sent down to Oklahoma City while Emmet Sheehan (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create a spot on the 40-man roster.

Payamps earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mets, retiring all three batters he faced with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

The 28-year-old notched a hold with a scoreless eighth inning Opening Day while Abner Uribe secured a save, but Uribe wasn't used Sunday after throwing the previous two days. Uribe already has two saves this season and appears to be manager Pat Murphy's first option for the ninth inning, but Payamps remains firmly in the mix for now, though it is too early to declare this closing situation settled.

Alvarado picked up the save Sunday against Atlanta. He pitched a clean inning with one strikeout.

Alvarado took the mound in the ninth for the Phillies against Atlanta for the first save opportunity of Philadelphia's season. He quickly retired all three batters faced. The save is reassuring after he yielded five runs in two-thirds of an inning Opening Day. Alvarado appears to be the leading saves candidate in a Phillies bullpen loaded with options between him, Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto.

Estevez picked up the save Sunday against the Orioles. He pitched a clean inning with no strikeouts.

Estevez calmly retired all three Orioles batters he faced Sunday to earn his first save of the season and 57th of his career. The 31-year-old reliever entered 2024 on the hot seat following the Angels' signing of Robert Stephenson over the winter. However, with Stephenson (shoulder) slated to be out until late April, Estevez should have no issue being the main saves target in the team's bullpen for now.

The Athletics designated Martinez for assignment on Sunday.

Martinez was reassigned from minor-league camp in early March and has now lost his place on Oakland's 40-man roster. The right-hander pitched in 22 games for the A's last season and posted a 4.75 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB across 55 innings.

Astros GM Dana Brown said Sunday it'll likely be "a few more weeks" before the full scope of Sousa's shoulder injury is determined, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured list Thursday with shoulder inflammation, though the full specifics of the injury aren't yet known. Sousa doesn't have an official timeline for his return but will be sidelined well beyond the 15-day minimum.

The Cardinals recalled King from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

The left-hander missed out on St. Louis' Opening Day roster but will join the big club since Riley O'Brien (forearm) is headed to the injured list. King posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB across 37.1 innings between the Rangers and Cardinals last season.

O'Brien was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a flexor strain in his right forearm.

O'Brien struck out two and allowed a run on a hit and two walks over one inning during his season debut Thursday, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks. John King was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.