MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Reyes to Triple-A Syracuse prior to the second game of Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta.

Reyes' demotion comes after he drew the start for the first contest of the twin bill in what amounted to a bullpen game. Though the Mets likely weren't counting on Reyes working deep into the game, he was able to record only three outs before manager Buck Showalter turned to four relievers to cover the remaining eight innings of the 9-8 loss. Reyes took the loss after he was charged with five earned runs on five hits and one walk in the 37-pitch appearance.

The Mets transferred Ridings (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Since Ridings didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games prior to opening the season on the 15-day IL, he'll be eligible to come off the 60-day IL as soon as May 29. It's unclear if he'll be ready to go by that point, however, as the Mets haven't provided any updates regarding where he stands in his recovery from the right lat strain that landed him on the shelf. Whenever he advances to the point of being ready to pitch in games, Ridings will likely need multiple minor-league rehab appearances before the Mets consider activating him.

The Mets selected Muckenhirn's contract from Triple-A Syracuse prior to the second game of Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta.

The Mets will have Muckenhirn and Jose Butto -- who was designated as the 27th man for the twin bill -- available to provide length behind starter Tylor Megill for the second game after New York treated the opening game as a bullpen day, with five relievers covering nine innings in the 9-8 loss. Muckenhirn is in the majors for the first time in his career after he churned out a 0.77 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 11.2 innings at Syracuse, though those ratios were supported by a poor 4:4 K:BB.

The Nationals recalled Abbott from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Abbott posted a 5.25 ERA over 16 appearances (nine starts) with the Nationals last season, and though he maintained a 6.46 ERA in his first five starts with Syracuse in 2023, he struck out 12 over 5.2 innings his last time out Friday. In a corresponding move, the Nationals placed Chad Kuhl (foot) on the 15-day injured list. Kuhl's spot in the rotation is due to come up Wednesday against the Cubs, and manager Dave Martinez acknowledged that Abbott could be called upon to make the start if he isn't needed in relief in the first two games of the series with Chicago, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com.

The Tigers claimed Bristo off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays designated Bristo for assignment over the weekend and he has now latched onto another organization. Bristo, 28, tossed three scoreless relief innings for Tampa Bay in his major-league debut last month. He'll likely report to Triple-A Toledo to begin his tenure with his new organization.

Arizona acquired Pilkington from Cleveland on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Pilkington had been removed from Cleveland's 40-man roster late last week and has now found a new home. The left-hander has a limited ceiling but is a capable depth arm for Arizona. He's posted a 3.75 ERA over 16 appearances (11 starts) at the big-league level and will likely slide into Triple-A Reno's rotation.

Roberts (elbow) progressed to throwing off flat ground from 105 feet before the end of spring training, MLB.com reports.

The Cubs haven't provided any recent updates on Roberts within the past month, but unless he's suffered an unreported setback in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last July, he's presumably increased his throwing distance off flat ground over the last few weeks and could soon be ready to resume mound work. Given the timing of his elbow procedure, Roberts may face an uphill battle to get back in a minor-league rehab game before the end of the season, but he should be fully cleared ahead of next year's spring training.

Jackson (2-1) got the win against the Reds on Sunday, firing a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts.

Jackson labored some to preserve the 4-4 tie he'd entered the game under, allowing a single and double to Kevin Newman and Spencer Steer, respectively, to open the frame. However, he powered himself out of trouble with swinging strikeouts of Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson before inducing an inning-ending groundout from Henry Ramos. Jackson was then rewarded with his resiliency via Esteury Ruiz's game-winning single in the home half of the ninth, giving him both his 2023 wins in addition to his first hold in the last four appearances.

Sewald (2-0) recorded the win in an extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday, firing a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed a hit and a walk.

Tasked with preserving an 8-8 tie when he entered in the ninth, Sewald successfully got the Mariners to extra innings despite having to work around some trouble. The right-hander was pitching on consecutive days for the first time since April 7-8, and he's essentially picked up where he left off during his successful 2022 -- Sewald has seven saves in addition to his two wins, and Sunday's scoreless effort lowered his ERA to an even 3.00 after he'd recently allowed an earned run apiece in back-to-back outings on April 22 and Tuesday.

Iglesias (shoulder) is likely to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen later this week, Grant McAuley of 929 The Game reports.

Iglesias hasn't allowed a baserunner in his two rehab appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett, with his most recent outing coming Sunday. He will have to show he can pitch back-to-back days before Atlanta activates him, but it sounds like that could come his next two times out. A return this weekend when the club is back home would make sense. It's possible Iglesias is eased back into closing duties, but it shouldn't be long before he's the go-to option for saves for Atlanta.