MLB Player News

Smith (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Smith is working his way through a throwing progression after being placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to right shoulder inflammation. He'll likely need to complete another side session or two before advancing to facing live hitters and then heading out on a rehab assignment. Smith is without a definitive timeline for a return, but if he steers clear of any setbacks, he'll have a shot at rejoining the Detroit bullpen before the end of June.

The Mets recalled Duarte from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Duarte made one appearance for the Mets earlier this season, during which he pitched 2.1 scoreless frames. The 29-year-old will provide manager Carlos Mendoza with a fresh arm out of the bullpen for Thursday's series finale with the Cardinals.

The Mets optioned Pintaro to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Pintaro helped save the bullpen in his lone day with the big club, allowing one run over three innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals. He wasn't going to be available for at least a day or two, however, so the Mets will replace him with a fresh bullpen arm in Daniel Duarte.

Kempner (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday, walking two and striking out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings of relief in a victory over the Diamondbacks.

The rookie right-hander took the mound in the seventh inning, the third of four Miami pitchers in a combined shutout, and he wound up being credited with the win. Kempner has yet to allow a run in his first five big-league appearances, posting a 0.75 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB over 6.2 innings, but he doesn't yet appear to be part of the high-leverage picture for manager Clayton McCullough -- he entered Wednesday's contest with the Marlins already up 8-0.

Slaten allowed two runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 7-5 loss to Tampa Bay.

Slaten's performance didn't result in him taking the loss, but it did take the starch out of a comeback bid. Boston had just closed the gap to 5-4 with four runs in the top of eighth inning before Slaten gave two of those runs back in the bottom of the frame. This was the right-hander's third harsh outing in the last five, during which he's allowed 10 runs on 11 hits and three walks over 4.1 innings (20.77 ERA). Until this stretch, Slaten could have been viewed as a closer candidate if the 27-39 Red Sox eventually trade Aroldis Chapman.

The Rockies outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being booted from the Rockies' 40-man roster. The righty has been outrighted previously, which means he could decline the assignment and elect free agency, but it's unclear whether Thompson will exercise that right. He's yielded 11 runs over 12 innings in the majors this season.

Varland gave up three runs on two hits and a walk while failing to record an out during Wednesday's 11-10 loss to the Giants.

The right-hander entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning to protect a 10-6 lead after Paxton Schultz and Orlando Ribalta had combined to allow five runs in the eighth, and Varland continued the meltdown before handing the ball off to Mitchell Parker, who took the blown save when he served up a walk-off grand slam to Bryce Eldridge. It's the first time Varland has been tagged for multiple runs since May 10, but he has been scored upon in four of his last seven appearances, stumbling to a 10.80 ERA, 2.80 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB over five innings during that rough stretch. He does have a save and a hold in that time, but he only has a spot in the Nats' high-leverage crew because the team lacks better options.

Mears (shoulder) began a throwing progression this week and could progress to a bullpen by the end of the week, MLB.com reports.

Mears was placed on the injured list May 29 with a right shoulder impingement, and this marks the first notable update on his status since then. The right-hander appears to be trending in a positive direction, and if his progression remains on track, he likely won't require much more time on the injured list. Prior to being sidelined, Mears pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Latz earned the save Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless 10th inning.

Working on five days of rest, Latz was tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the 10th inning and quickly found himself in serious trouble. With the automatic runner already on second base, he allowed a leadoff single to Jac Caglianone and then walked the next batter to load the bases with nobody out. The left-hander responded brilliantly, striking out the next hitter before inducing a game-ending double-play grounder to escape unscathed and secure his 10th save. Latz has now converted a save in each of his last five appearances and owns a 1.80 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and a 30:10 K:BB across 30 innings this season.

Hudson earned the save Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing a walk and no hits with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Chicago leaned heavily on its bullpen Tuesday, Hudson was asked to handle the ninth inning Wednesday and protect a one-run lead. The left-hander worked around a one-out walk to Eli White and successfully closed out the victory for his third save of the season. The save comes on the heels of a rare rough patch, as Hudson had allowed multiple runs in back-to-back appearances after holding opponents scoreless in 26 of his previous 27 outings. Despite those recent hiccups, he still owns a strong 2.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 31 innings and should continue to operate as a setup man for Chicago.