MLB Player News

Festa hasn't pitched at Triple-A St. Paul since May 6 due to right arm fatigue but is expected to make a start this weekend, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Festa tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball with a 7:0 K:BB in his May 6 outing but evidently came out of the start nursing some fatigue with his pitching arm. The righty has pitched well both in the majors (1.38 ERA, 15:5 K:BB in 13 innings) and minors (3.60 ERA, 22:2 K:BB in 20 innings) this season and could push for another promotion if he shows the arm fatigue is behind him.

The Twins are expected to recall Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul to start Sunday in Milwaukee, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Simeon Woods Richardson was optioned to St. Paul on Thursday and the vacancy he leaves in the rotation will be filled by Matthews. The soon-to-be 25-year-old Matthews has been dominant this season at St. Paul, posting a 1.93 ERA and 38:9 K:BB over 32.2 innings covering seven starts. Matthews held a 6.69 ERA in nine outings last season for the Twins but boasted a 43:11 K:BB in 37.2 frames. He should be picked up in fantasy leagues where he's available.

Bennett gave up three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings in his first start of the year for High-A Wilmington on Sunday.

Bennett, who underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2023, made two rehab starts for Single-A Fredericksburg in early May, logging a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB in six innings. The 6-foot-6 lefty will likely get the bump to Double-A sometime this summer if he's holding his own, as he is already 24.

Barco was removed from Thursday's start at Triple-A Indianapolis in the first inning with an undisclosed injury, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Barco was lifted in the middle of an at-bat after delivering his 23rd pitch of the frame. It's unclear what injury the left-hander is dealing with, but an update on his condition could be available later Thursday. Barco was making just his second start for Indianapolis following a promotion earlier this month from Double-A Altoona. Heading into action Thursday, the southpaw had allowed just one run with a 39:10 K:BB in his first 30 innings this season.

The Orioles optioned McDermott to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

McDermott was up as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Twins, starting the second game and allowing four runs over three innings. The right-hander will rejoin the rotation at Norfolk and wait for another opportunity with the big club.

Strider (hamstring) threw 65 pitches over five innings in a simulated game Wednesday, but after sitting around 95-to-96 miles per hour with his fastball in the first frame, his velocity declined for the rest of the workout, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander hadn't faced hitters in any setting in nearly a month after straining his hamstring while playing catch April 21, and manager Brian Snitker indicated the reduction in velocity was due to that inactivity, not any health concerns. Atlanta has yet to decide if it wants to send Strider for a rehab start before activating him from the 15-day injured list, and rejoining the big-league rotation for a road series against the Nationals early next week remains on the table.

The Twins optioned Woods Richardson to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Rather than sending the 27th man from Wednesday's doubleheader (reliever Kody Funderburk) back to Triple-A, the Twins will instead demote Woods Richardson, who struggled mightily in his start in the second game of the twin bill. Woods Richardson coughed up a season-high six earned runs over four innings in an 8-6 win over Baltimore, leaving him with a 5.02 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 37.2 innings on the season. The 24-year-old righty will presumably get another look in the Minnesota rotation later on in the season, but the Twins will likely turn to David Festa or Zebby Matthews to replace Woods Richardson the next time a fifth starter is needed this weekend in MIlwaukee.

Blackburn (knee) is expected to make two more rehab starts before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Joe Pantorno of AMNY.com reports.

Blackburn reached 60 pitches in his last rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and is aiming for the 75-pitch mark Friday with Double-A Binghamton. He's expected to make an additional rehab start after that. There doesn't appear to currently be room for Blackburn in the Mets' rotation, so he could be slotted into long relief when he's activated later this month. Blackburn has been out all season with right knee inflammation.

Hicks (1-5) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering five runs on seven hits and a walk over two-plus innings as the Giants fell 8-7 to the Diamondbacks. He struck out one.

Three of the hits off Hicks went for extra bases, including a Ketel Marte solo shot in the first inning and a Lourdes Gurriel double to lead off the third that helped chase the right-hander from the game. It was Hicks' shortest outing of the season after he'd given San Francisco at least five innings in five straight trips to the mound, and Marte's blast was the first long ball he'd served up since April 6. Hicks will carry a 6.55 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 41:16 K:BB through 45.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Royals.

Rodriguez came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Giants, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw didn't serve up a homer for the first time since April 17, but there wasn't much else encouraging about this performance from Rodriguez. He tossed 41 of 76 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and he's been tagged for three or more runs in five straight trips to the mound, stumbling to a 9.93 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB through 22.2 innings over that stretch. Rodriguez will try to right the ship in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Dodgers.