MLB Player News

Alcala (elbow) was transferred to 60-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

A sleeper pick for saves this spring, Alcala won't be earning any until mid-June at the absolute earliest. He hit the injured list with right elbow inflammation after just his second appearance this season, and while he resumed throwing just four days later, he was shut down again shortly after that with his elbow still not feeling right. He'll now get an extended period to rest. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the Twins to select Jose Godoy's contract.

Snead (undisclosed) was activated from the injured list Saturday.

Snead missed eight days of action and spent time on the COVID-19-related IL, but he is ready to reclaim a spot in Oakland's bullpen. Expect him to work in middle relief for the club moving forward.

Duarte (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

A timeline for Duarte's return from an elbow injury has not been revealed, but with him moving to the longer of the two injured lists, he will miss at least a couple months of action.

Mayza (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Astros, striking out two over a perfect inning of relief.

He breezed through the heart of the Houston lineup on 14 pitches (10 strikes) in the bottom of the eighth inning with the score tied 3-3, and the Blue Jays rewarded the lefty by plating the winning run in the top of the ninth. Mayza has established himself as a key late-inning reliever for Toronto so far, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 6:0 K:BB with three holds in addition to Friday's win over seven appearances and 5.2 innings.

Matzek collected his third hold of the season Friday, walking one and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings in a win over the Marlins.

The 31-year-old southpaw has looked good to begin the campaign as he fills a setup spot in front of closer Kenley Jansen. Over five appearances and 5.1 innings, Matzek has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB.

Smith walked one and struck out one in one-third of an inning Friday to pick up his fourth hold of the season in an extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks.

With a runner on second and two outs in the sixth inning, Smith relieved David Peterson and issued a free pass to Matt Davidson before fanning Christian Walker. Smith has already tied his career high in holds, and he's been a valuable middle-relief arm so far for the 11-4 Mets with a 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB through seven appearances and seven innings.

Neris (1-1) allowed one earned run on two hits across one inning to take the loss Friday against Toronto.

Neris entered the game with the score tied in the ninth inning, a situation traditionally handled by the closer. He allowed a leadoff single to Vladimir Guerrero and then a two-out double to Matt Chapman to account for the game-winning run. Though he was tagged with the loss, it was the first run Neris has allowed this season across 6.1 frames. While Ryan Pressly (knee) remains sidelined, Neris appears to be in the best position to pick up save chances.

Floro (shoulder) is expected to begin his rehab assignment at Low-A Jupiter on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Floro joined the Hammerheads on Friday but won't actually start pitching until Saturday. His return is being watched closely in light of Anthony Bender blowing a save Wednesday and raising his ERA to 8.31 over 4.1 innings.

Robles did not allow a runner and struck out one over a scoreless 1.1 innings in Friday's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay.

Robles got the final out of the seventh inning then dispatched the Rays in order in the eighth to preserve Boston's lead heading into the ninth. It was yet another dominant performance for Robles, who hasn't allowed a baserunner over his last 4.1 innings and is unscored upon over 6.1 IP. Despite entering in the seventh inning, the right-hander remains in the mix to save games.

Diekman allowed three walks and struck out one over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

Diekman started the ninth inning of a one-run game attempting to close out the Rays for his second save of the season, but the left-hander was unable to finish the frame. He walked three of the first four batters he faced before getting Brandon Lowe on strikes. That was it for Diekman. Enter Matt Barnes, who retired Wander Franco on a 100.9 mph groundout to second baseman Trevor Story. Diekman has been an important high-leverage piece in Boston's bullpen and should continue to be an option to close games despite Friday's command issues (12 strikes in 28 pitches).