MLB Player News

The Mets released Alzolay on Wednesday.

Alzolay is back pitching again after completing a long rehab from August 2024 Tommy John surgery, but he struggled while at Triple-A Syracuse, posting a 10.38 ERA and 7:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings. The Mets have elected to move on now rather than give Alzolay more time to find a groove. The 31-year-old reliever hasn't pitched in the majors since May of 2024.

Rangel did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three hits and four walks over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Rangel had trouble with his command Thursday, throwing only 54 of his 90 pitches for strikes, though he was able to tiptoe his way through danger to hold the Pirates off the board. The outing was the first traditional start of the season for Rangel, whose previous three appearances came in bulk relief. Overall, the right-hander sports a 3.38 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 16 innings this season. Should he remain in the rotation, Rangel would line up for a road matchup with the Reds in his next outing.

The Nationals signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Pilkington had been at Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers organization, where he held a 5.40 ERA and 30:28 K:BB over 33.1 innings. The lefty made 32 appearances out of the Nationals' bullpen in 2025, collecting a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB in 28.1 frames.

The Giants outrighted Ramos to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Ramos was recently designated for assignment and will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 25-year-old has allowed five runs with a 1:4 K:BB in his two innings with the Giants this season and has posted a 4.13 ERA and 32:12 K:BB in 32.2 frames with Sacramento.

Romero leads all of baseball with 20 holds this season.

While the left-handed reliever has been valuable for leagues that have holds as a category, he's trended in the wrong direction since the beginning of June in yielding eight runs over 10.1 innings. Romero is the only trusted lefty reliever the Cardinals have, so he should continue to stay busy, though the impending free agent will be a trade candidate this month.

Rodriguez (shoulder) struck out a batter and allowed three earned runs on two hits and one walk across 1.1 innings Wednesday in a rehab start for the Brewers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiiate.

Milwaukee optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on May 31, but he didn't make an appearance in the minors before reverting to the Brewers' injured list June 8 after being diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement. While pitching in his first game in a month Wednesday, Rodriguez retired just four of the eight batters he faced. He'll likely get stretched out as a starter over the course of his rehab assignment but is expected to be optioned to Nashville once the Brewers are ready to activate him from the 15-day IL.

Estevez (shoulder) received an injection Wednesday and will be shut down for the rest of the week before being re-evaluated, MLB.com reports.

Estevez had been making progress in recovery from a right rotator cuff strain, but he suffered a setback during Saturday's bullpen session. The Royals will allow the right-hander to rest following the injection before re-evaluating him and determining the next steps. Estevez made just one appearance this season before landing on the injured list due to a left foot contusion, eventually picking up the shoulder injury during a rehab appearance May 6.

Blanco (elbow) struck out four and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk across 4.1 innings Wednesday in a rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Blanco pushed his pitch count up to 60 (45 strikes) in his third rehab start as he works his way back from the Tommy John surgery with an internal brace that he underwent last June. The right-hander will likely need to get stretched out to around 70-to-80 pitches before becoming a viable option for the Houston rotation, likely at some point shortly after the All-Star break. Before going under the knife last summer, Blanco turned in a 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 48:20 K:BB in 48.1 innings over nine starts with Houston.

The Yankees activated Bednar from the paternity leave list Thursday.

Bednar missed all three games of the series against the Tigers as he welcomed a new baby to the family. The Yankees are idle Thursday, but they will have their closer available for this weekend's series versus the Twins.

Walker allowed four earned runs on four hits while failing to record an out in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Walker entered in the eighth inning and gave up three singles and a double before being pulled. The right-hander has surrendered six runs over 1.2 innings in his last three appearances, totaling 42 pitches during that span. He now owns a 7.06 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB across 21.2 innings in 24 outings this season.