MLB Player News

Burke allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Astros.

The Rangers' bats took a holiday Tuesday -- just three hits -- but manager Chris Woodward got strong work from the bullpen. This was the fourth time in six outings that Burke has thrown multiple innings, and the 25-year-old lefty is thriving. He's allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out 16 over 9.2 innings.

Pallante allowed three hits and struck out one over three scoreless innings in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Mets.

Starter Jordan Hicks was struck in the wrist by a comebacker and had to leave the game with two on and no outs in the third inning. Pallante allowed an inherited runner to score on a Starling Marte single, but he was otherwise effective in a multi-inning assignment. Through 9.1 innings this season, Pallante has a 0.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB. Initial tests on Hicks' wrist were encouraging, so it doesn't seem like the Cardinals will need a spot starter for his turn in the rotation this weekend. That's a role Pallante could fill later in the season if necessary, but he'll likely see most of his work out of the bullpen.

Gonzalez (elbow) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Gonzalez could be going on a minor-league rehab assignment soon, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Gonzalez went on the 10-day injured list near the end of spring training due to left elbow inflammation, and he has yet to see game action this season. The left-hander has been throwing, however, and his bullpen session Tuesday included both fastballs and sliders. Gonzalez could vie for a big-league bullpen spot when fully healthy and ramped up.

Littell was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday after testing positive for the virus, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Littell officially landed on the shelf without an injury designation prior to Tuesday's win over the A's, but manager Gabe Kapler clarified the right-hander's outlook after the contest. The 26-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms and will remain away from the team until he clears MLB's testing protocols.

Junis is expected to work as the Giants' primary pitcher Wednesday against the A's, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 29-year-old picked up the win in his debut for the Giants on Friday after delivering five scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and it appears he'll fill the bulk role again Wednesday. Sam Long will start the contest and is likely to pitch an inning or two as the opener. Junis should continue seeing plenty of innings for the near future, either as a traditional starter or primary pitcher, until Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) and Alex Cobb (groin) return from the injured list.

Melancon saved Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers, recording a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

After Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the eighth, Melancon was brought in to secure the victory and made quick work of the bottom of Los Angeles order on just seven pitches. The veteran closer has now converted all three of his saves in his last four appearances, but he failed to record a strikeout for the sixth time in seven appearances this season.

Iglesias saved Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Guardians, striking out both batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Los Angeles entered the ninth with a 4-0 lead, but a one-out Jose Ramirez RBI double prompted manager Joe Maddon to call in his closer with the game now a save situation. Iglesias stuck out Franmil Reyes and Owen Miller on nine pitches to record his fourth save in what is already his eighth appearance. The 32-year-old has now retired 23 of the 25 batters he's faced on the season.

Hader earned the save in Tuesday's win over the Pirates, striking out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.

The Pirates brought the tying run to the on-deck circle, which prompted Brewers manager Craig Counsell to bring in his closer. Hader struck out Tucupita Marcano on a called third strike to earn his ninth save of the season. The rate of saves will almost certainly slow down, but the early returns have been greater than even Hader's loudest proponents could have hoped for.

Long will start Wednesday's game against the A's, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Long opened Monday's game in Milwaukee and delivered a scoreless frame, and he'll start again Wednesday versus Oakland. The left-hander should cover an inning or two depending on how he pitches, with Jakob Junis the likely candidate to work behind him in a bulk role.

Hearn (0-2) picked up a loss after he pitched five innings, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four against the Astros on Tuesday.

Hearn put together his longest outing of the season, tossing five innings for the first time this year. Overall though, it was another difficult outing for the 27-year-old as he gave up one run in the second inning on a Jeremy Pena single and three more in the fourth inning after Alex Bregman scored on a groundout and Kyle Tucker launched a two-run homer. He now has a 0-2 record with a 7.47 ERA and 1.98 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in four starts. Hearn will look to get his first win of the campaign when he takes on the Braves in his next expected start Sunday.