MLB Player News

Manager Luis Rojas announced Thursday that there will be discussions regarding Edwin Diaz's usage in high leverage situations moving forward, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Lugo is one option to step into the closer role.

Lugo surrendered a solo home run in his latest outing against the Red Sox, but that marks the right-hander's lone blemish in 4.1 innings pitched on the campaign. If the Mets do indeed decide to move away from Diaz in the ninth, Lugo and Jeurys Familia will be the top candidates to receive the bulk of save opportunities in the coming weeks.

Matz (0-1) allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Red Sox.

All of Matz's earned runs came from the bat of Christian Vazquez, who took him yard twice. While he was hardly dominant otherwise, his line was inflated by allowing four infield hits. Matz was unable to follow up his strong opening start of the season, but has shown the ability to work deep into games early on, throwing 11.1 innings across his two outings. He currently lines up to make his third start of the campaign Tuesday at the Nationals.

Fried (1-0) picked up the win Thursday after holding the Rays to one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven across 6.2 innings.

It was a top-notch performance from Fried, who retired his first 14 batters while holding Tampa Bay scoreless until the seventh. After punching out the side in the first inning, Fried remained perfect until a two-out single by Mike Brosseau in the fifth frame. Luckily the threat was immediately erased as Fried picked Brosseau off at first. He then allowed a single to Manuel Margot and walked Yandy Diaz in the sixth, but avoided any damage once again. The end of his outing came two outs into the seventh after he allowed a double to Willy Adames, who soon scored after reliever Luke Jackson gave up an RBI single to Ji-Man Choi, saddling Fried with the run. Overall, Fried was beyond efficient, pitching deeper into the game than any other Braves pitcher this year. He'll take the mound again Tuesday for a matchup against Toronto.

Darvish will start Friday's game against the Pirates after his scheduled start against the Reds was postponed due to rain Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Darvish was set to face off against Luis Castillo on Thursday evening, but with rain in the forecast in Cincinnati, the right-hander will instead pitch in Chicago against the Pirates on Friday. Darvish will look to bounce back from a less-than-stellar season debut in which he allowed three runs in just four innings of work against Milwaukee.

Castillo will start Friday's game against the Tigers after Thursday's contest against the Cubs was postponed due to rain, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

With rain pushing the right-hander's start back a day, Castillo will have a chance to try and replicate the dominant outing he logged against Detroit in his last start. Castillo punched out 11 Tigers while allowing just one run in six innings of work in his season debut last Saturday.

Gonsolin will start Friday's game on the road against the Diamondbacks, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Although Gonsolin began the season at the Dodgers' alternate training site, he'll fill the team's hole in the rotation after Alex Wood (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. With Clayton Kershaw (back) expected to return Sunday or Monday, Gonsolin's appearance will likely only be a spot start. The right-hander made 11 appearances (six starts) with the Dodgers last season, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 40 innings.

Rea was recalled from the Cubs' alternate camp site Thursday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Rea will replace Dillon Maples on the roster and in the bullpen. The right-hander spent all of last season with Triple-A Iowa, posting a 3.95 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 26 starts (148 innings). He'll likely provide length out of the bullpen for the Cubs.

Mahle is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Tigers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

With Wade Miley (groin) landing on the injured list, Mahle will stick in the big-league rotation for at least one more turn. The right-hander held his own during a start against the Cubs earlier in the week, allowing two earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four batters in four innings.

DeSclafani (shoulder) will start Saturday's game against the Tigers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

DeSclafani was placed on the injured list with a mild right teres major strain just before the season, but he progressed through his recovery quickly and will take the place of Wade Miley (groin) in the rotation since the latter is slated to land on the injured list Friday. DeSclafani pitched four innings in his final appearance in camp, but it's unclear whether he'll be at full strength in his first start back.

Miley will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a groin injury, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Miley struggled in his season debut against the Cubs on Monday, and his injury designation could help provide an explanation for his lack of results. He'll officially be placed on the injured list Friday, which means that he'll miss his scheduled start for the weekend. As a result, Anthony DeSclafani (shoulder) will start Saturday's contest with Tyler Mahle taking the mound Sunday.