MLB Player News

Strop elected free agency Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After being removed from the Cubs' active roster April 17, Strop didn't report to the team's alternate site, instead choosing to return home to his native Dominican Republic. Since Strop didn't have any intention of heading to Triple-A Iowa for the start of the minor-league season, the two sides agreed to part ways while leaving the door open for a reunion down the road. For now, Strop will aim to find work with another organization, presumably one that can present him with a clearer path to a spot in a big-league bullpen.

The Cardinals recalled Flores from Triple-A Memphis ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Mets, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Flores is designated as the 27th man, so he's expected to head back to the minors once the doubleheader is completed. He'll give the Cardinals another left-handed option out of the bullpen for the twin bill while Andrew Miller (toe) remains on the injured list.

The Yankees recalled Abreu from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

New York placed infielder Rougned Odor (knee) on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Abreu is still being developed as a starting pitcher, but with no existing opening in New York's rotation, the 25-year-old will be available as a long-relief option while he's up with the big club.

Castro is scheduled to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets are still making Castro available out of the bullpen behind starter Marcus Stroman for the first game of the twin bill, suggesting that manager Luis Rojas is planning to use Castro as more of an opener for the nightcap than a traditional starter. Castro hasn't topped 31 pitches or recorded more than five outs in any of his 10 appearances this season, so he shouldn't be expected to work more than two innings in the second game before his night is over. Jordan Yamamoto and Sean Reid-Foley represent logical options to serve as a bulk reliever in Game 2, if the Mets decide to go that route.

Luetge (2-0) was credited with the win Tuesday against Houston, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Luetge entered the contest in the sixth inning with the score tied 3-3. He allowed a one-out single to Alex Bregman that was subsequently erased on an inning-ending double play. The Yankees then exploded for four runs in the bottom of the frame, handing the left-hander his second win of the campaign. Luetge has been a solid contributor to the team's bullpen in his first big-league action since 2015, compiling a 3.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB across 16.2 innings.

Almonte (hand) will throw another simulated game in St. Louis this weekend, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Almonte's simulated game Tuesday went well, so he'll complete another throwing session this weekend. If his next simulated game goes well, the right-hander could be in consideration for a rehab assignment in the near future. Almonte has been sidelined since April 29 due to a right hand contusion.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday that Rogers may be in the mix for more work in save situations, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kapler's comments come less than 24 hours after closer Jake McGee was roughed up for four earned runs while recording just two outs in the Giants' loss to the Rockies in the second half of a doubleheader. Rogers, meanwhile, logged a clean inning in front of McGee to reduce his season ERA to a microscopic 1.02. Though Rogers doesn't miss many bats (5.1 K/9), he's been masterful at inducing weak contact and has already been battle tested in the ninth inning with a couple of saves on his ledger this season. With McGee having now given up at least one run in five of his last six appearances, his hold on the closer gig appears to be loosening, so Rogers makes sense as a speculative pickup in the event McGee fails to right the ship in his subsequent outings.

Gomez has a sore arm and will miss the start of the minor-league season, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Callis says the Yankees hope Gomez will join an affiliate (likely High-A) in the near future, but given the nature of the injury, we should consider him out indefinitely.

Wells (oblique) will begin the minor-league season with Triple-A Norfolk, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Wells battled an oblique injury during spring training that he's now recovered from. The southpaw posted a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 105:24 K:BB across 137.1 innings as a starter in 2019 with Double-A Bowie. The 24-year-old could be a candidate for a callup this season if he gets off to a good start in Norfolk.

Mills was recalled by the Mariners on Wednesday.

Mills was sent down Tuesday, but he'll return to the major-league bullpen after right-hander Keynan Middleton (biceps) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Mills has made two relief appearances this year and has recorded a 6.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 2.2 innings.