MLB Player News

Weigel was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Weigel had been with the team since the start of May for his second stint on the big-league roster. In three total relief appearances, he's allowed two runs on four hits in four innings of work, striking out nine but also walking four. He's likely to continue bouncing between the majors and Triple-A depending on the team's needs but is unlikely to find his way into a high-leverage role. Josh Lindblom (knee) returned from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Davidson tossed seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out eight.

The southpaw has been fantastic through his first two outings this year, posting a 0.64 ERA and 14:3 K:BB through 14 innings. Davidson stumbled in his brief big-league debut last season, but if the 25-year-old keeps dealing at Triple-A, he should get another look in the Atlanta rotation before long.

Jackson (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one in the seventh inning as Atlanta fell 4-1 to the Blue Jays.

Entering the game with the score tied 1-1, Jackson's first pitch was launched over the center-field fence by Teoscar Hernandez. The right-hander has a strong 1.93 ERA through 14 innings to begin the season, but his 12:8 K:BB indicates he's been more lucky than good.

Staumont allowed a walk and struck out three in one inning of Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Detroit.

Staumont emerged as Kansas City's top closing option in late April, but he's allowed four runs over his last 3.1 innings to open May. To make matters worse, Kansas City is mired in a 10-game losing streak, which has removed any save opportunities recently. Staumont will look to build off Wednesday's scoreless inning. He owns a 2.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB with three saves and two holds in 16.2 innings this season.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) has been assigned to Triple-A Memphis to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Ponce de Leon has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation for two weeks, but his rehab assignment signals that he's nearing his return to the major-league roster. Since Ponce de Leon has moved to the bullpen following his start in his season debut, he's unlikely to require much time to build up with Triple-A Memphis.

Chapman pitched a clean ninth while striking out a batter en route to earning his ninth save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Chapman was reported to have been pitching through a fingernail issue after he picked up a save in Tuesday's win over the Rays but did not appear to be bothered by it at all after manager Aaron Boone confirmed he was "fine." The hard-throwing lefty has looked as dominant as ever in his age-33 season, as he's third in Major League Baseball with nine saves and has yet to allow a run while sporting a 31:5 K:BB over 15 innings.

McHugh did not allow a hit over two scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Wednesday. He walked one batter and struck out two.

McHugh was deployed as an opener again Wednesday after appearing out of the bullpen in his first four outings this year. He faced the minimum six hitters after he walked Luke Voit in the second but got Aaron Hicks to ground into an inning-ending 3-5-3 double play. The 34-year-old has had a pair of shaky outings but has otherwise been pretty reliable in multi-inning scenarios. His 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP isn't a pretty sight, but McHugh does own a respectable 12:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings.

Garcia earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Garcia entered in the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He allowed a one-out single but escaped with the save after getting Eduardo Escobar to line into a game-ending double play. Garcia has now converted six of seven save opportunities while registering a 1.76 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Diekman struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

Lou Trivino worked the eighth inning against the heart of Boston's order, including right-handed hitters J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts, leaving the ninth -- and the 7-8-9 hitters -- to Diekman. The duo will likely continue trading closing duties back and forth between them depending on matchups, but Diekman has been the more effective pitcher overall, posting a 2.12 ERA and 25:7 K:BB through 17 innings.

Hand (2-2) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 5-2 to the Phillies in 10 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits over one inning while striking out three.

Called up to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Hand instead served up a solo shot to Odubel Herrera. Nats manager Dave Martinez elected to leave the lefty on the mound to begin the 10th with Bryce Harper due up for the Phillies, but after Harper singled, Hand got the hook and Kyle Finnegan allowed the inherited runner to score. While his 2.92 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.1 innings are solid, Hand has walked seven batters, blown his last two save chances and been tagged for runs in his last three appearances, putting his spot as Washington's closer in some jeopardy if he can't turn things around quickly.