MLB Player News

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Elder allowed seven runs (six earned) over three innings in a loss to the Padres on Sunday in his last outing. With a bloated 6.46 ERA during his time in the majors, Elder will head back to Gwinnett as he looks to get back on track. Darius Vines has been recalled and is a candidate to take Elder's rotation spot.

Atlanta recalled Vines from Triple-A Gwinnett after Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against San Diego.

The right-hander was sent down in April after he gave up five runs over 9.2 frames in two starts for Atlanta, and he'll rejoin the big club ahead of Game 2 of Monday's twin bill. Vines will immediately be available out of the bullpen, but he could start Thursday against the Cubs if he's not called upon in the next couple days.

Senga (shoulder) did not throw a scheduled bullpen session Sunday due to right triceps tightness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Senga had seemingly been making good progress recently as he works his way back from a right posterior shoulder capsule strain, but he's now encountered another speed bump. The hope is that he'll be ready to throw off the mound later this week, but the Mets will likely wait until the right-hander is pain-free before he resumes a throwing program.

The Brewers recalled Blalock from Double-A Biloxi on Monday.

Blalock will skip over the Triple-A level and go straight to the big leagues after collecting a 2.27 ERA and 29:7 K:BB over 35.2 innings. The 23-year-old has been used as a starter in the minors, but if he makes his major-league debut during this stint, it would appear likely to come in relief.

The Mets activated Megill (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Megill is set to rejoin the Mets' rotation Monday in Cleveland after missing all of April and much of May with a right shoulder strain. He was excellent during his rehab assignment, allowing just one earned run with a 23:1 K:BB over 14 innings. Megill threw 74 pitches in his fourth and final rehab start, so he should be good for 90 or so Monday.

Cavalli (elbow) has been assigned to the Florida Complex League Nationals to begin a rehab assignment, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Cavalli's 30-day rehab clock will begin once he makes his first rehab start. It will be the 25-year-old's first game action since 2022. Cavalli should eventually be an option to join the Nationals' rotation this season, but how soon that will be figures to depend largely on how he looks over the next several weeks.

Freeland (elbow) threw from about 50 feet Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Freeland has been able to play catch for around the last 10 days, and he threw his fastball with a regular pitching motion Sunday. He still doesn't have a date to return throwing from a mound and will need to progress to bullpens and live batting practice sessions before engaging in a rehab assignment. The Rockies have projected Freeland will return in mid-June, though his current pace in recovery suggests that's an optimistic timeline.

Montgomery allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings Sunday against the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Montgomery surrendered a third-inning home run to Spencer Torkelson, and the Tigers got to him for additional runs in the fifth and sixth. He came back out to begin the seventh and allowed a leadoff walk before exiting the game for good, and that runner eventually came around to score. Montgomery managed to reach six innings for the fourth time in six starts but has not struck out more than four batters in any of those four outings. Though a small sample size, Montgomery's strikeout rate this year is on pace to be the lowest of his career, and he's also walked multiple batters in four straight starts. The 31-year-old owns a 4.98 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB in 34.1 innings. He lines up for a home meeting with the Marlins his next time on the mound.

Gonzales (forearm) will be assessed later in May to determine when he can resume throwing, MLB.com reports.

Gonzales has been sidelined since mid-April but is expected to avoid surgery. He's experienced several consecutive symptom-free days, so he could be cleared to resume throwing by the close of the month. Even so, Gonzales is likely to be sidelined until at least mid-July.

Houser is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Guardians at Progressive Field.

Houser had made his last two appearances as a reliever, but he'll slot into the rotation at least temporarily and afford all other five starters some rest while the Mets are in the midst of a stretch of 13 games in 13 days that ends Wednesday. After Thursday's off day, the Mets will have another stretch of 13 games in 13 days, but unless he impresses Tuesday, Houser may not be the top choice to stick around in a starting role if New York expands its rotation to six men. Rather than Houser, Jose Butto -- who posted a 3.08 ERA over seven starts before being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse last Wednesday -- would look to be a more worthy candidate to rejoin the big-league rotation.