MLB Player News

Mears was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Mears was recalled from Indianapolis on May 26, but ultimately never made an appearance for Pittsburgh. Chad Kuhl (shoulder), who is slated to start Monday's game against the Royals, will be activated to take his roster spot.

Patino will continue to work as a starter at Triple-A Durham, according to manager Kevin Cash, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Patino will continue to stay stretched out in Durham, indicating that he could be next in line for a major-league start should the Rays come across an issue in their rotation. Patino posted a 3.60 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 15 major-league innings before suffering a finger injury May 19 and eventually being sent down May 30.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Perez was called up by Cincinnati on Thursday, but he'll return to the minors to make room on the active roster for Wade Miley (foot), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday. Perez made two relief appearances during his most recent stint in the majors and allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Holmes pitched a scoreless inning Sunday in a 4-3 loss to Colorado, giving up one hit and a walk while striking out two.

Holmes collected his second hold of the season Sunday and first since Opening Day. The 28-year-old has not allowed a run in his last 14 outings covering 14.1 innings, lowering his earned run average to below 3.00 (2.96) for the first time since his April 6 blow-up (five runs in one-third inning). The righty entered 2021 with a career 5.91 ERA and 1.75 WHIP (in 77.2 innings) but has posted a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP (in 24.1 innings). He could move into a more high-leverage role if the team trades Richard Rodriguez and Kyle Crick at the trade deadline.

Hernandez (biceps) could return from the 60-day injured list when he's first eligible Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Manager Don Mattingly recently named Miami's starters for Tuesday and Wednesday, but he hasn't yet announced who will take the mound Thursday. Hernandez made his third rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday and allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out five in 4.2 innings. Even though he struggled to limit offensive production, he still threw 54 of his 79 pitches for strikes during the outing.

Crochet pitched a perfect eighth inning to pick up the hold in Sunday's 3-1 win over Baltimore.

Crochet shut down the Orioles after the White Sox took the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was his ninth consecutive appearance (8.1 innings) without allowing a run, although he's walked seven during that stretch. The left-hander's walked nine over 13.2 innings this season, which is alarming, but Crochet has made good situational pitches to avoid damage.

Stephan struck out two in a perfect inning in a 6-5 win over Toronto in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Stephan worked the sixth inning, and he kept the deficit at 4-0. Cleveland rallied to tie in the bottom half of the inning before walking it off in the seventh. Through 7.1 innings in May, Stephan has allowed only two runs. The right-hander has a 4.50 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB across 18 innings overall, so he should be expected to remain in a low-leverage role.

Wittgren pitched a perfect inning and struck out one in a 6-5 win over Toronto in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Wittgren allowed two runs in an inning in his last appearance, but he's kept runs off the board in eight of his 10 outings in May. The right-hander has a 4.96 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 16.1 innings this year. He's posted a save, four holds and a 2-1 record, and his recent success could lead to more work in close games.

Littell allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two in one inning of Sunday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.

Sunday's outing was just the second time in 15 appearances the right-hander has allowed runs this season. He gave up a two-run home run to Max Muncy in the eighth inning. Littell has been an effective part of San Francisco's bullpen with a 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's added four holds -- he's in the mix for high-leverage work, although Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers are expected to handle the vast majority of the closing duties.

Iglesias allowed a hit and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday to earn a save over the Athletics.

Iglesias came in with a runner on second and two outs in the eighth but finished off the game with relative ease. He's now converted seven straight save opportunities and has nine saves on the year. The 31-year-old owns a 4.29 ERA and a 30:3 K:BB this season.