MLB Player News

Lucchesi didn't factor into the decision Wednesday in the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Tigers in the first game of a doubleheader after he gave up four runs on five hits over four innings. He struck out one and issued no walks.

Though Lucchesi served up three extra-base hits (including two home runs) on the day, he was relatively efficient in the start, as he needed only 46 pitches to record 12 outs. Under normal circumstances, the Mets would have left Lucchesi in for at least another inning or two, but manager Buck Showalter told Tim Healey of Newsday after the game that the southpaw was pulled early so he could be better preserved for a start Sunday against the Rockies on three days' rest. Because of the doubleheader, the Mets will close the week with six games in five days, and Showalter apparently views Lucchesi on short rest as the team's best option for Sunday rather than delving into the minor-league ranks for a spot starter. The Mets are likely to scale back to a five-man rotation next week and Carlos Carrasco (elbow) also appears to be on track to return from the injured list, so Lucchesi could end up getting optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse immediately following Sunday's outing.

The Nationals recalled Irvin from Triple-A Rochester ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Cubs.

Just as manager Dave Martinez said would be the case following Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cubs, Irvin will step into the rotation Wednesday for what will be his MLB debut. The 26-year-old right-hander supplied a 5.64 ERA and 1.54 WHIP while striking out 20 over 22.1 innings at Rochester, but he could nonetheless have a chance to stick around as the Nationals' No. 5 starter with a solid showing against the Cubs.

Suarez (elbow) will make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

He'll get his pitch count up to the 70-to-75 range in what will likely be his final rehab start before he returns from the 15-day injured list. If Suarez is indeed back with the Phillies following the upcoming rehab start, he would be in line to make his 2023 big-league debut next weekend in Colorado. The left-hander has been sidelined since early March with a left elbow strain.

Syndergaard isn't scheduled to make a start this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

An off day Thursday allows the Dodgers to realign their rotation, which they'll do by setting up Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May and Julio Urias to make starts this weekend in a big divisional series with San Diego. Manager Dave Roberts didn't specify whether Syndergaard will be available out of the bullpen this weekend, as the right-hander is expected to use some of his time out of the rotation to address some mechanical issues. Syndergaard owns a 6.32 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB over 31.1 innings this season, but he managed to pick up his first win his last time out Sunday against the Cardinals.

Perez struck out 11 batters over five innings Tuesday for Double-A Pensacola, and pitching coach Dave Eiland believes the 20-year-old is ready for a promotion to Triple-A, Ben Weinrib of MLB.com reports.

"He had his best fastball command that I've seen out of him in the year-plus that I've had him, and of course, that sets up everything else," Eiland said after the game. "That's saying a lot as well as he pitched last year. Just as far as the way he uses his pitches, the way he's commanding them all, the way they all complement one another. That's what you want to see in a young pitcher, a young prospect." Including his stint with Pensacola in 2022, Perez now sports a 3.69 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 139:32 K:BB through 100 innings at Double-A, and the only benchmark left for him to reach before a bump up to Triple-A could be tied to his workload. He hasn't yet been allowed to take on a regular five-day schedule in the Blue Wahoos' rotation, instead taking the mound every sixth day this season.

The Dodgers selected Stone's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Phillies in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles already had a spot open on the 40-man roster for Stone, but reliever Alex Vesia was optioned to Oklahoma City to clear room on the 26-man active roster for the 24-year-old righty, who is one of the organization's top pitching prospects. The addition of Stone gives the Dodgers six starters for the time being, but a strong debut outing could earn the rookie a more permanent spot in the rotation, given that Noah Syndergaard is on an expiring contract and has mostly struggled through his first six starts (6.32 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 31.1 innings). Stone's numbers at Triple-A weren't eye-popping (4.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 14.3 K-BB% in six starts), though it comes with the caveat that he was pitching in largely hitter-friendly venues in the Pacific Coast League.

The Diamondbacks selected Pfaadt's contract from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

The 24-year-old right-hander will be making his much-anticipated big-league debut in Texas, stepping into a back-end rotation spot for Arizona after the team recently released Madison Bumgarner and optioned Drey Jameson to Triple-A. Pfaadt attracted attention in the minors through his gaudy strikeout rates, as he punched out 218 batters in 167 innings between Reno and Double-A Amarillo in 2022 and has struck out 30 in 25.1 innings thus far in 2023. The strikeout potential Pfaadt brings to the table makes him an intriguing speculative pickup in nearly any league where he might be available on the waiver wire.

Carrasco (elbow) will make a rehab start this weekend and could rejoin the Mets' rotation the following week, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets had some hope that the veteran right-hander would skip a rehab assignment, but the team will instead proceed more cautiously with his recovery. Carrasco threw a multi-inning bullpen session April 30, so he could be able to handle a significant pitch count on his rehab outing. New York remains without an announced starting pitcher for this Sunday's home game against the Rockies.

Cueto (biceps) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

The two-time All-Star has been on the shelf since suffering a right biceps injury in his Marlins and season debut April 3. Cueto reportedly threw 60 pitches in a start at extended spring training last week, so if he can build on that workload when he takes the hill for Jacksonville on Saturday, he may not require any further rehab outings beyond that. Once the Marlins decide that he's ready to return from the IL, Cueto will likely replace Bryan Hoeing in the rotation.

The Mets recalled Butto from Triple-A Syracuse and designated him as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader in Detroit, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Butto previously served as the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta, but he went unused after being called up prior to the second game of the twin bill. After being returned to Triple-A on Tuesday, Butto will be back with the big club a day later as the 27th man once again. He'll be available for both games of the doubleheader this time around before heading back to Syracuse.