MLB Player News

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.

Kaprielian started Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sacramento on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out four and didn't factor into the decision.

Kaprielian's location wasn't exactly at its sharpest -- he got just 43 of his 72 pitches into the strike zone -- but the outing seemingly served as a solid starting point overall to his attempted reset at the Triple-A level. Kaprielian's earned himself a trip down to the farm after opening the season by pitching to an array of concerning numbers that included a 12.94 ERA, 2.38 WHIP, 7.9 BB/9 and 2.8 HR/9 across six outings (three starts). The right-hander is likely due for an extended stint in Las Vegas that will allow him to build confidence and sharpen up his game before a return to the major-league club is considered.

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.

Minnesota placed Mahle (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

The Twins recalled Louie Varland from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move, and he'll slot into Mahle's spot in the rotation for the foreseeable future. Mahle was diagnosed last week with a right arm posterior impingement and flexor pronator strain and won't be cleared to resume a throwing program for another four weeks. Even if Mahle experiences no setbacks and is cleared to start throwing again by the end of the month, he'll still likely need another two weeks beyond that to get his arm reconditioned for a starting role.

Minnesota recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the White Sox.

The right-hander is sliding into the rotation spot vacated by Tyler Mahle (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a flexor pronator strain. Varland registered a 4.20 ERA and 25:4 K:BB over 15 innings with St. Paul prior to the promotion, and he's worth consideration for those looking for a streaming option for Wednesday.

Lynch (shoulder) covered 2.1 innings and struck out six while allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk in his first rehab start Tuesday for Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Lynch has resided on the Royals' 15-day injured list all season with a left shoulder strain, so his appearance Tuesday was his first at any level during the 2023 campaign. Aside from serving up a two-run, two-out home run in the second inning, Lynch was generally sharp while tossing 59 pitches (37 strikes) in the outing. He'll likely need one or two more rehab starts to build his pitch count up to the 75-to-90 range before he's cleared to rejoin the big-league rotation.

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.