MLB Player News

Puk was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left biceps, retroactive to April 7.

Puk had a strong performance in his first relief appearance of the season Monday, as he allowed one hit and three walks while striking out four in 3.1 innings. However, he apparently sustained an injury and will miss time as a result. It's not yet clear when Puk will be able to return to game action, but right-hander Deolis Guerra's contract was selected by Oakland in a corresponding move.

Armstrong gave up a run on two hits over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Yankees. He was charged with a blown save.

Armstrong entered the game to start the bottom of the eighth inning. He retired Clint Frazier and Jay Bruce on groundouts, then allowed Gary Sanchez to reach on a single. Mike Tauchman entered as a pinch runner, and Gio Urshela tagged a double to plate the tying run, handing Armstrong a blown save. The right-handed reliever has struggled in his first two appearances, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk over one inning. He's still seeing high-leverage assignments, but that could change if his poor performance continues.

Betances landed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement Thursday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Shoulder troubles wiped out almost the entirety of Betances' 2019 campaign, as he faced a total of just two batters. He also missed time last year with a lat injury. The severity of his latest injury is not yet clear, but it's hard to have much confidence in the 33-year-old's health given his recent history. Trevor Hildenberger was recalled in a corresponding move.

Hildenberger's contract was selected by the Mets on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Hildenberger served as a non-roster invitee during spring training and posted a 2.70 ERA with nine strikeouts in 3.1 innings. He'll now join the major-league club after Dellin Betances (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday. Hildenberger last appeared in the majors in 2019, when he recorded a 10.47 ERA and 2.27 WHIP in 16.1 innings with the Twins.

Hernandez (biceps) could resume playing catch as early as Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Hernandez was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right biceps tendon inflammation Monday. However, manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Hernandez has been feeling better every day. While the right-hander will still need to build back up and show increased velocity before he's cleared to return, it's encouraging that he'll begin a throwing program in the near future.

Rainey (0-1) allowed two hits -- including the game-winning two-run homer -- and a walk across one inning to take the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

It was a rough 2021 debut for the right-hander, as Rainey needed 28 pitches, the worst of which was a middle fastball that pinch hitter Pablo Sandoval drove over the fence. Rainey's average fastball velocity Wednesday was 95 mph -- a decrease from 97.7 mph in 2019 and 96.6 last season. He consistently touched 100 mph with his heater in the 2019 postseason, and as his primary pitch, it must improve considerably if he's to keep a high-leverage role in Washington's bullpen.

Valdez (1-0) picked up a win after giving up an unearned run on two hits while striking out three over 2.1 innings Wednesday against the Yankees.

Valdez entered the game with two outs in the eighth after the Yankees tied it up and were threatening to take the lead with Gio Urshela in scoring position. He was able to get the game into extra innings by sending down the Yankees' top four hitters in order and was one out away from closing it out in the 10th before Kyle Higashioka ripped a single to right to tie the game up at three apiece. When the O's scored in the following frame and ultimately closed out the victory, Valdez picked up his first win of the season. The 36-year-old is quite the story, as he was out of affiliated baseball entirely between 2011 and 2015 and again from 2017 to 2019 before the Orioles selected his contract late in the 2020 season. Hunter Harvey is expected to be out for a while after suffering an oblique strain in spring training, which has allowed Valdez to take hold of the closer role. He already has two saves and a win to his name in three appearances this season, locking down games for an Orioles squad that has gotten off to a surprising 4-2 start.

Green (0-1) suffered the loss Wednesday against the Orioles after allowing two runs (zero earned) on a hit and a walk with one strikeout over 1.1 innings.

Green was the first pitcher the Yankees sent out as they went to extras, and he actually would've escaped with a clean inning if it weren't for a throwing error by Gleyber Torres that allowed Anthony Santander to score from third. The Yankees were able to tie it back up in the bottom half of the inning, but Green surrendered the game-winning run in the 11th on a blooper that dropped into left field. The 29-year-old right-hander was subsequently removed in favor of Luis Cessa, who was able to get out of the inning, but the Yankees were unable to mount a comeback, leaving Green with his first loss of the young season.

Sborz retired the side in order in the seventh inning to record his first hold of the season in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Toronto.

Sborz was elevated in the bullpen pecking order after Texas suffered several injuries to relievers during the spring. Whether he remains there when Brett Martin (back) and Joely Rodriguez (ankle) are ready to pitch remains to be seen. At least for now, Sborz appears to be part of the late-game crew. He pitched a perfect seventh followed by Matt Bush and Ian Kennedy to finish off a nice start by Kyle Gibson.

Foster (0-1) was charged with the loss Wednesday against Seattle, allowing five runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

It was an ugly outing for the right-hander as he entered the game with Chicago holding a 4-1 lead and left with the Sox down by four runs. Foster's only two outs came via a strikeout and a sacrifice fly, and he exited after allowing three straight baserunners with two outs. The reliever has given up seven runs over his past two appearances after starting the season with a pair of perfect outings.