MLB Player News

The Cardinals are likely to use a spot starter at times in June but appear to be leaning toward keeping Matz in a traditional bullpen role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz operated in a hybrid role in April but was used exclusively in relief in May. While the Cardinals are likely to incorporate a spot starter during a stretch of 28 games in 29 days this month, Matz appears set to remain in the bullpen since he's no longer stretched out sufficiently to start. Instead, Michael McGreevy is the top candidate to draw a spot start or two with the big club.

The Cardinals could use McGreevy as a spot starter during their stretch of 28 games in 29 days during June, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

McGreevy is scheduled to start Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis, but it's possible his next turn after that will come with the big club. The right-hander tossed 5.2 scoreless frames in an extended relief outing with the Cardinals in early May and has posted a 3.02 ERA and 54:11 K:BB across 50.2 frames this season with Memphis. Steven Matz is also an option for a spot start or two this month, but the Cardinals appear to be leaning toward keeping him in the bullpen since he's no longer stretched out enough to provide significant length as a starter.

The Reds selected La Sorsa's contract on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville.

La Sorsa had an upward mobility clause in his minor-league contract, and the Reds have decided to keep him around rather than risk losing him to another organization. The left-handed reliever has posted a 3.92 ERA and 14:14 K:BB over 20.2 innings this season with Louisville.

Clemmey has posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 67:38 K:BB through 11 starts and 45.2 innings for High-A Wilmington this season.

The 67 Ks leads the South Atlantic League, and they've been coming in bunches -- the 19-year-old has fanned exactly nine batters in three of his last five starts, and he had a 10-strikeout performance back on April 10. Clemmey's control remains erratic, as he's issued multiple walks in every start so far in 2025, but his mid-90s fastball and slider both grade out as potential plus pitches. If the 6-foot-6 southpaw can find some consistency in his mechanics, he could still have a future as a starter, but in the long run his most likely path to the majors is as a high-leverage reliever in the Tanner Scott mold.

Kranick recorded his fifth hold of the season in Monday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers, striking out two and giving up a solo home run in the seventh inning.

The right-hander couldn't sneak a first-pitch curveball past Shohei Ohtani with two outs in the seventh of a 2-0 game, but he otherwise had little trouble. Kranick's numbers have taken a step back since the beginning of May -- over his last 15.2 innings he's posted a 4.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB -- and he remains on the periphery of the Mets' high-leverage crew. Kranick's five holds is tied for third on the team among healthy relievers, behind Reed Garrett's 13 and Huascar Brazoban's eight.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Blackburn is likely to move into a relief role after the right-hander started in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Dodgers, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

The Mets opted to go with a six-man rotation this week featuring Blackburn, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Monday's contest to make his 2025 debut with the big club. Despite missing more than two months of action due to right knee inflammation, Blackburn was effective in his start, striking out three batters while scattering three hits and one walk over five scoreless innings. The performance apparently won't be enough to compel the Mets to keep Blackburn around in the rotation, as off days the next two Mondays will create a built-in rest day for each for the team's five starters and will lessen the need for a sixth starter. The Mets have a stretch of 13 games in 13 days from June 17 through June 29 in which they could look to add a sixth starter back into the mix, but Frankie Montas (lat) could be ready to return from the 60-day IL by then and may be prioritized over Blackburn.

Hicks made his season debut at first base Sunday, and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough hinted that he's likely to see more action at the position, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. ""It was good that he got his feet wet, and his comfort level will continue [to increase] if he gets more opportunities over there," McCullough said after the contest.

Hicks has experience at first base in the minors, playing 61 games at the position last year at Double-A, and with Matt Mervis removed from the 26-man roster, Miami has a lot of available at-bats there. Hicks' bat is what's forcing the team to find ways to get him into the lineup -- including a 2-for-4 performance as the DH on Monday against the Rockies, he's slashing .316/.381/.658 over 42 plate appearances since the beginning of May with six of his 12 hits going for extra bases (two doubles, a triple and three homers). Agustin Ramirez and Nick Fortes may wind up seeing the bulk of the playing time behind the plate, but Hicks should still get plenty of work against right-handed pitching between catcher, first base and designated hitter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed after Monday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Mets that Betts (toe) is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

A fracture on the tip of a toe on his left foot has kept Betts from playing since last Wednesday, but he demonstrated notable progress Monday, despite being held out of the lineup for a fourth game in a row. He was able to take part in pregame fielding and baserunning drills and was reportedly available to pinch hit if needed, but the Dodgers ultimately stayed away from him. Assuming Betts isn't dealing with any unexpected soreness when he reports to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, he should step back into his usual roles at shortstop and as the team's No. 2 hitter.

The Mets are expected to recall Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Mauricio's imminent promotion seems to suggest that Mark Vientos is headed to the 10-day injured list after exiting Monday's 4-3 win with a hamstring injury. The Mets have been careful with Mauricio's workload at Syracuse this season as he gets eased back in following multiple knee surgeries, but the 24-year-old has been productive at Triple-A, going 17-for-33 (.515 average) with three home runs and four stolen bases. Mauricio has yet to play more than two days in a row this season, and it's unlikely he'll see consistent at-bats right away with the Mets.

Friedl went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Brewers.

Friedl got the Reds going early, leading off the bottom of the first inning with a double and scoring on a single. He's been rolling the last two weeks with multiple hits in 10 of the last 13 games. Friedl is batting .426 with six walks, five extra-base hits, three RBI, one steal and 11 runs during that stretch.