MLB Player News

Romero was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left elbow sprain Thursday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Romero's fastball velocity dipped to 94.3 mph Wednesday after averaging 95.7 mph over his previous two appearances, so it's perhaps no surprise to learn that something was wrong with his arm. The severity of the injury and his expected return date are not yet clear. Fellow lefty Ranger Suarez was recalled in a corresponding move.

Quezada is dealing with a lat injury and was placed on the minor-league injured list Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Quezada has begun a throwing program but will be unavailable to begin the Triple-A season. The Cardinals have said that the right-hander is still several weeks away from having a timetable for his return to game action. Quezada made three major-league appearances in 2020, posting a 9.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in three innings.

Flores was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Flores joined the team as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets. He got into a game but failed to record an out, allowing one earned run on a hit and a pair of walks. He'll now head back to the minors to wait for his next opportunity.

Yamamoto was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Yamamoto was recalled by the Mets on Tuesday and earned the win in relief during his season debut against the Cardinals on Wednesday. He allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out one in 2.2 innings. Yamamoto will now head to the minors as part of a shuffle to make room for right-hander Tommy Hunter on the major-league roster.

Manager Joe Maddon said after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Rays that Rodriguez was removed from the contest early due to right shoulder irritation, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

After needing just six pitches to complete a clean sixth inning, Rodriguez was slated to return to the mound for the seventh, but Maddon opted to pull the right-hander early after his shoulder began barking. The skipper indicated Rodriguez will be reevaluated Thursday before the Angels determine his next steps. The 22-year-old rookie has been solid in a setup role this season, posting a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 15.2 innings while scooping up two wins and two holds.

Smeltzer was recalled by the Twins on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Smeltzer was sent down by the Twins in late April, but he'll return to the major-league bullpen after Lewis Thorpe was optioned in a corresponding move. Smeltzer allowed one run (zero earned) on a hit and a walk while striking out three in 4.2 innings during his first relief appearance of the season.

Gsellman gave up a run on two hits in the sixth inning during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Entering the game with the Mets ahead 6-1, the right-hander gave up a leadoff double to Harrison Bader, who eventually came around to score. Gsellman got a late start to the season due to the team's erratic early schedule, not making his first appearance until April 17, but he's posted a 3.12 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings now. That said, his low-leverage role gives him little fantasy value, as Gsellman doesn't have a save, hold or decision so far.

Finnegan struck out the side on only nine pitches in the sixth inning of Wednesday's loss to Atlanta.

Replacing Erick Fedde with the Nats down 5-1, Finnegan got Austin Riley and Dansby Swanson swinging before William Contreras looked at a called strike three. Per Jessica Camerato of MLB.com, it's the fifth immaculate inning in Nationals history, with the right-hander joining Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer (who did it twice) and Jordan Zimmermann in a fairly exclusive club. Finnegan has had a solid start to the season with a 3.55 ERA and 17:5 K:BB through 12.2 innings, but his low-leverage role has limited his fantasy value, as he has only one win and one hold through 13 appearances.

Fleming will serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Collin McHugh in Thursday's game against the Angels, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

For the second time in his five appearances on the season, Fleming will be working out of the bullpen. In his other outing as a primary pitcher April 25 against the Blue Jays, Fleming took the loss while giving up a run over 4.1 innings. Though following McHugh will likely suppress Fleming's innings count, it should increase the lefty's chances of factoring into any possible winning decision.

Manager Kevin Cash said McHugh would serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Thursday's series finale against the Angels, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Before he was activated from the injured list earlier this week after missing time with a lower-back strain, McHugh had been building up for a multi-inning relief role. As such, he should be capable of working at least two frames Thursday before giving way to primary pitcher Josh Fleming, who had served as a traditional starter in three of his prior four appearances.