MLB Player News

O'Brien gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander topped 100 mph three times in 17 pitches (11 strikes) as he converted his seventh save in eight chances to begin the season. O'Brien also has three wins and two holds in his 13 appearances, but he's seized control of the closer job for the Cardinals with a dominant start to 2026, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.45 WHIP and 15:0 K:BB over 13.1 innings.

Perez is slated to start Thursday's game against the Nationals in Washington, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

After being re-signed last week, Perez slotted back into the Atlanta rotation for his third start of the season and delivered a gem in last Friday's 9-0 win over the Phillies, tossing six scoreless frames. The veteran lefty is now holding down a 2.21 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 20.1 innings on the season, but he could soon be moved out of the rotation with Spencer Strider (oblique) trending toward a potential return from the injured list next weekend. How Perez fares Thursday could decide whether he receives another start before Strider returns or shifts into a long-relief role.

Walker is absent from the lineup for Wednesday game in Miami.

He'll receive a day off after seeing his 15-game hitting streak come to an end in Tuesday's win over the Marlins. Nathan Church will play right field and bat sixth for the Cardinals in Walker's stead.

May (3-2) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He struck out five.

The right-hander served up a solo shot to Jakob Marsee to lead off the bottom of the first inning, but May cruised from there, eventually getting lifted after 97 pitches (59 strikes). He saw his quality start streak end at two, but after a shaky beginning to his St. Louis tenure he's delivered a 1.56 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 17.1 innings in his last three trips to the mound. May will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Pittsburgh.

Montero (1-2) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings as the Tigers fell 12-4 to the Brewers. He struck out three.

Montero was lifted after 88 pitches (55 strikes), coming up just short of his second quality start in four trips to the mound since joining the Detroit rotation. The 25-year-old right-hander has delivered a strong 3.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB through 22 innings, and with Justin Verlander (hip) not being rushed back into action, Montero should keep his current role into May. He's set to make his next start on the road this weekend in Cincinnati.

Winn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

With Winn having recently recovered from left shin bruise that kept him out of the lineup for two contests, he'll get a breather Wednesday as the Cardinals wrap up their series in Miami with a day game after a night game. Thomas Saggese will fill in for Winn at shortstop and will bat seventh.

Burleson is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Miami.

It's a rare day off for Burleson, who had started each of the previous nine games. The Cardinals will turn to Ramon Urias at first base and in the cleanup spot in Wednesday's rubber match.

Atlanta designated Hamilton for assignment Wednesday.

Hamilton was knocked around for three runs in an inning of work Tuesday versus the Nationals in his lone appearance with the big club. The 30-year-old has often been an effective middle reliever in the past, so it's possible there's interest in him via waivers.

Hamilton went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in Tuesday's 12-4 rout of the Tigers.

The 28-year-old infielder kept the line moving, racking up a career-high four hits from the eighth spot in the order. It was Hamilton's first multi-hit performance of 2026, and through 63 plate appearances he's slashing .240/.377/.240 with five steals, three RBI and 11 runs while seeing action at third base (11 games), shortstop (eight) and second base (two).

Atlanta recalled Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett and will have him start Wednesday in Washington.

Wednesday had been Martin Perez's turn in the Atlanta rotation, but he will be pushed back a day. Fuentes was due for another chance at the major-league level, having tossed four innings of one-run ball in a long-relief outing earlier this season and boasting a 2.16 ERA and 20:6 K:BB in 16.2 frames with Gwinnett. With Spencer Strider (oblique) due back from the injured list soon, Fuentes could be in line for just one start with Atlanta, though he could make that decision difficult if he pitches well Wednesday.