MLB Player News

The Cardinals are likely to use a spot starter at times in June but appear to be leaning toward keeping Matz in a traditional bullpen role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz operated in a hybrid role in April but was used exclusively in relief in May. While the Cardinals are likely to incorporate a spot starter during a stretch of 28 games in 29 days this month, Matz appears set to remain in the bullpen since he's no longer stretched out sufficiently to start. Instead, Michael McGreevy is the top candidate to draw a spot start or two with the big club.

The Cardinals could use McGreevy as a spot starter during their stretch of 28 games in 29 days during June, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

McGreevy is scheduled to start Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis, but it's possible his next turn after that will come with the big club. The right-hander tossed 5.2 scoreless frames in an extended relief outing with the Cardinals in early May and has posted a 3.02 ERA and 54:11 K:BB across 50.2 frames this season with Memphis. Steven Matz is also an option for a spot start or two this month, but the Cardinals appear to be leaning toward keeping him in the bullpen since he's no longer stretched out enough to provide significant length as a starter.

Sandlin (lat) reported to the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Sandlin was given the green light to begin a rehab assignment after he tossed a live batting practice session Friday without incident. The right-hander has been on the shelf since April 20 with a right lat strain and will likely make multiple appearances in the minors before returning from the 15-day injured list. He could be ready to rejoin the Toronto bullpen around the middle of June.

The Reds selected La Sorsa's contract on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville.

La Sorsa had an upward mobility clause in his minor-league contract, and the Reds have decided to keep him around rather than risk losing him to another organization. The left-handed reliever has posted a 3.92 ERA and 14:14 K:BB over 20.2 innings this season with Louisville.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in his appearance on Jomboy Media's "Talkin' Yanks" podcast that Williams will be the team's primary closer while Luke Weaver (hamstring) is sidelined.

Weaver is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after straining his hamstring while warming up during Sunday's game against the Dodgers. Williams was removed from the closer role in late April but has pitched well lately, yielding just two runs with a 15:2 K:BB over his last 10 innings.

Kranick recorded his fifth hold of the season in Monday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers, striking out two and giving up a solo home run in the seventh inning.

The right-hander couldn't sneak a first-pitch curveball past Shohei Ohtani with two outs in the seventh of a 2-0 game, but he otherwise had little trouble. Kranick's numbers have taken a step back since the beginning of May -- over his last 15.2 innings he's posted a 4.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB -- and he remains on the periphery of the Mets' high-leverage crew. Kranick's five holds is tied for third on the team among healthy relievers, behind Reed Garrett's 13 and Huascar Brazoban's eight.

Butto earned a save against the Dodgers on Monday, retiring both batters he faced in the 10th inning.

Mets closer Edwin Diaz blew a save in the ninth frame, so New York needed to go to a different reliever after scoring twice in the top of the 10th. Manager Carlos Mendoza initially called upon Jose Castillo, but he retired just one batter while allowing two Dodgers to reach base. Mendoza then turned to Butto, who got pinch hitter Will Smith to fly out before retiring Tommy Edman on a groundout with the tying run on third base. Butto came into Monday having given up four runs over four innings across his previous four outings, and he's not a threat to Diaz's role as closer, especially since the latter has been great this season -- Monday marked Diaz's first blown save of the campaign.

Diaz (3-0) blew a save but earned the win over the Dodgers on Monday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two batters over one inning.

Diaz came into Monday 13-for-13 in save opportunities on the season, but he wasn't able to hold a 2-1 Mets lead in the ninth inning. The right-hander gave up the tying run on a Shohei Ohtani sacrifice fly after two of the first three batters he faced reached base on singles, though Diaz was able to strike out Teoscar Hernandez with the winning run on second base. The closer then earned the victory as a result of the Mets scoring twice in the 10th inning. The run allowed by Diaz was the first earned run charged to him over his past 14 outings, and he still holds an excellent 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB through 25.1 innings this season.

Jansen worked a clean ninth inning, striking out one, to pick up the save during Monday's 7-6 win over the Red Sox.

Jansen's ERA might look a bit unsightly, but one bad outing is bringing down the 37-year-old's 4.91 ERA. When there's an opportunity to lock down a game, he has been as reliable as they come, converting a perfect 12-of-12 save chances with 11 strikeouts and only one run allowed in those appearances.

Agnos allowed one hit in the ninth inning on the way to picking up his fourth save during Monday's 6-4 win over the Marlins.

Being the closer on a 10-50 team doesn't afford you too many opportunities, but Agnos stayed perfect with his fourth save in his four opportunities. The 24-year-old has been a bright spot this season for the Rockies, sporting a 1.50 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP in his 16 appearances. The right-hander will be looking to start a new scoreless streak after he allowed a run in his last appearance that snapped a streak of five consecutive scoreless outings.