MLB Player News

Fulmer will start Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Fulmer had been available out of the bullpen recently, but he'll draw his fourth start of the season in Tuesday's series opener against Boston. The right-hander hasn't lasted longer than five innings in any of his seven appearances this year, and he's posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 21 innings.

The Dodgers claimed Bickford off waivers from the Brewers on Monday.

The 25-year-old right-hander has been hit hard in his two relief appearances at the MLB level, but the Dodgers evidently saw enough talent and potential in the 2015 first-round pick to clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster. Bickford has two minor-league options remaining, so he could report to Triple-A Oklahoma City rather than joining the Los Angeles bullpen.

Puckett (elbow) will report to High-A Rome to begin his tenure with the Atlanta organization.

A 2016 second-round pick of the Royals, Puckett was later traded to the White Sox the following year. He only made five minor-league starts for the organization and hasn't pitched since after developing elbow problems that ultimately required Tommy John surgery in March 2019. Now more than two years removed from the procedure, a healthy Puckett will look to reboot his career in his third organization.

The Red Sox transferred Brasier (calf) to the 60-day injured list Monday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Brandon Brennan, who was claimed off waivers from Seattle and optioned to Triple-A Worcester. Brasier picked up a calf strain late in spring training and recently began a throwing program, but he's not on track to complete his progression until the second half of the month. He should be ready to go around the time he's first eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said McHugh (back) would travel with the team for its seven-game road trip that begins Monday, Jordan Horrobin of MLB.com reports.

Cash wasn't willing to reveal a target date for when McHugh might be activated from the 10-day injured list, but the skipper noted the right-hander is "definitely going in the right direction." Considering McHugh tossed a two-inning simulated game Sunday, the Rays would most likely want to give him at least Monday and Tuesday off for rest before his activation is considered.

Antone was charged with a blown save after giving up four runs on two hits and two walks over 1.1 innings in Sunday's 13-12 win over the Cubs in 10 innings.

After picking up his first career save Friday in the series opener, Antone was summoned with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to protect a one-run lead. He got out of the seventh unscathed and then saw the Reds put up three runs in the top of the eighth, but Antone couldn't hold up to his end of the bargain. He walked two of the first four batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth, then surrendered an RBI single before coughing up a game-tying three-run home run to Ian Happ. The poor outing should do little to diminish what's been an outstanding start to the season for Antone, who still owns excellent ratios (2.93 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 12.3 K/9) across his nine relief appearances.

Manager Jayce Tingler said Lamet (forearm) felt good coming out of his most recent bullpen session Sunday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Both Lamet and Ryan Weathers (arm) were able to throw off a mound Sunday, but neither will be options to start in Monday's series opener against the Pirates. The nod will instead go to reliever Miguel Diaz in what's shaping up to be a bullpen game, but Lamet and Weathers will remain candidates to start Tuesday. Lamet's forearm injury is believed to be more serious than Weathers' arm issue, so it's possible the former will require more build-up time before the Padres are comfortable reinserting him into the rotation. Even if Lamet ends up getting the nod Tuesday, he'll likely be facing a limited pitch count.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler indicated that Weathers (arm) felt good coming out of a bullpen session Sunday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Both Weathers and Dinelson Lamet (forearm) were able to complete their respective side sessions without incident, leaving both in the mix to start Tuesday's game against the Pirates for the time being. The Padres will turn to reliever Miguel Diaz to make a spot start for Chris Paddack (COVID-19 injured list) in Monday's series opener, but he would likely head back to the bullpen or move back to the minors if both Weathers and Lamet are cleared to return Tuesday or at some point later in the week. Weathers experienced arm fatigue in his most recent outing April 28, but Tingler remains optimistic that the rookie will avoid a stint on the IL.

Graveman pitched a scoreless eighth inning while allowing a hit as he earned his third hold of the season in a 2-0 win over the Angels on Sunday.

Graveman was called upon in the eighth rather than the ninth with the Angels having Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Jared Walsh due up in the order. The 30-year-old battled and ended up with a 1-2-3 inning after getting Walsh to ground into a 6-5-3 double play to end the inning. Graveman has not allowed a run and has given up just three hits while sporting a 12:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The resurgence of his career as a reliever has been truly remarkable after he missed the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Montero pitched a clean ninth inning while striking out a hitter en route to his fourth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Angels on Sunday.

Manager Scott Servais brought Kendall Graveman in for the eighth to face Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Jared Walsh so Montero got the call to close out the game instead. The 30-year-old needed just seven pitches to get three outs and struck out Albert Pujols in the process. It was a much-needed bounceback performance after he had allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits over his last 1.2 innings. Montero appears to still have the trust of his manager in late-game scenarios despite having a 4.15 ERA although he's still second-fiddle to Graveman in terms of save opportunities.