MLB Player News

McHugh (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, MLB.com reports.

McHugh made a three-inning rehab appearance with High-A Rome this past Friday and has bounced back with no issues. He's been out since early April with right shoulder soreness but is ready to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen.

Minter (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Sunday, coughing up three runs on three hits and a walk in one inning as Atlanta fell 5-2 to the Astros. He struck out three.

It was a tough outing for the southpaw, who entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth inning and promptly allowed a two-run single to Yordan Alvarez to tie the game. Minter then gave up another run himself before getting the hook in the ninth and watching Danny Young allow two of the runners he inherited to cross the plate. Minter has been tagged for five runs over his last two appearances, sending his ERA soaring to 5.73, and he's just 4-for-6 in converting save chances. With Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) set to throw live batting practice Monday before embarking on a rehab assignment, Minter's stint as closer could be ending on a sour note.

Kinley (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The side session marked Kinley's first mound work since he underwent surgery last June to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. Though Kinley is said to be on track in his recovery from surgery, he's still likely to remain on the 60-day injured list for much of the first half of the season while he gradually builds up the intensity of his throwing workouts.

Smith (1-1) took the loss Sunday, giving up one run on one hit, one walk and one HBP in the eighth inning as the Mets fell 5-4 to the Giants. He struck out one.

Called in to keep the game tied at 4-4, Smith instead got tagged for a one-out double by Mike Yastrzemski that brought home the game-winning run. Despite the stumble, the right-hander has been solid in a high-leverage role for the Mets to begin the season, recording six holds in 11 appearances with a 2.79 ERA and 13:6 K:BB through 9.2 innings.

Smith allowed one hit and struck out one to record his second save in Sunday's 5-2 win over Oakland.

With a couple of left-handed batters due up in the ninth inning, Texas manager Bruce Bochy had Smith warming up to close out the game instead of a rested Jose Leclerc. Smith has been reliable in whichever role Bochy wants, so more save chances can be expected. The lefty reliever has allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings.

Fairbanks struck out one and did not allow a hit in a shutout ninth inning to earn the save in a 4-1 win over the White Sox on Sunday.

Fairbanks pitched for the second time in as many days and was able to send the White Sox down with 13 pitches. The 29-year-old has been nearly untouchable in the early going. He currently boasts a 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 5:3 K:BB over seven innings. Saves have been hard to come by with the Rays dominating the competition so far, but Fairbanks has been the team's best reliever and seems to be the ninth-inning guy for manager Kevin Cash.

Duran struck out one and did not give up a hit in a scoreless ninth Sunday against the Nationals to secure his fifth save of the season.

Duran sent all three batters down in 12 pitches in what was his first save since April 14. The 25-year-old flamethrower has held opponents scoreless in six of his eight outings, and now sits at a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and a 10:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

Alexander (2-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Mets.

Alexander got three groundouts to set down the Mets in order in the top of the eighth inning. A Mike Yastrzemski double put the Giants ahead in the bottom of the frame. Through 10 appearances, Alexander has allowed just two runs on eight hits over 9.1 innings, good for a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. He has neither significant strikeout stuff nor a clear high-leverage role, but he's been effective when called upon. With Taylor Rogers shaky early in the season, there's a path for Alexander to serve as a key southpaw in the late innings.

Akin (1-1) issued two intentional walks and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Tigers on Sunday.

Akin issued intentional walks to right-handed hitters in Eric Haase and Spencer Torkelson, and the strategy paid off. The Orioles southpaw was able to get lefty hitters Zach McKinstry and Nick Maton out to end a bases-loaded threat before Baltimore won with Adam Frazier darting home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning. Akin has had his struggles in a low-leverage role, pitching to a 6.75 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings. He also has one hold.

Estevez picked up the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Royals with a perfect inning.

Estevez picked up his third save of the season Sunday, retiring all three batters he faced on just six total pitches. He has allowed just one hit and no runs in his last three appearances combined.