MLB Player News

Pauley (oblique) is starting at third base and batting ninth Sunday against the Brewers.

The 25-year-old picked up an oblique injury Friday versus Milwaukee and was held out of Saturday's contest, but he'll return to the lineup Sunday for the series finale. Pauley has yet to get on track at the plate this season with no homers, a 1:13 BB:K and .174/.191/.304 slash line through 68 plate appearances.

Mikolas is scheduled to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher PJ Poulin in Sunday's game against the Giants, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals will pair Mikolas with Poulin for a second straight turn through the rotation, as the former had previously pitched behind the latter in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Pirates. After turning in a 12.41 ERA, 2.35 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB in 12.1 innings over his three starts to begin the season, Mikolas didn't fare dramatically better coming out of the bullpen, as the Pirates tagged him for three earned runs on three hits and two walks across 3.1 innings. Despite the favorable matchup against a weak Giants offense, Mikolas hasn't provided reason for fantasy managers to include him in lineups with any level of confidence.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Giants, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Poulin will draw his third start of the season and will once again be working in front of Miles Mikolas, who is slated to cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen. The Nationals rode the Poulin-Mikolas pairing to a win over the Pirates on Tuesday, though the two pitchers combined to allow four earned runs over 4.1 innings. Poulin is unlikely to pitch more than an inning or two Sunday before turning the game over to Mikolas.

The Marlins reinstated Stowers (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Stowers sustained the hamstring strain during the closing days of spring training -- after dealing with a similar injury earlier in camp -- and is ready to make his 2026 MLB debut after a five-game rehab assignment. The 28-year-old is expected to reclaim the starting job in left field and could also get some reps at first base. Regardless of where he's playing in the field, he should have plenty of RBI opportunities batting in the heart of Miami's lineup.

The Marlins optioned De Los Santos to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

With Kyle Stowers (hamstring) completing his rehab assignment and returning from the injured list Sunday, De Los Santos wouldn't have been in line for many opportunities had he stuck around with Miami, so Miami will send the 22-year-old back to Triple-A in order for him to get regular playing time. Over his two abbreviated stints in the majors this season, De Los Santos has gone 2-for-7 with a double and a 0:3 BB:K.

The Brewers list Harrison (wrist/knee) as their probable starter for Tuesday's series opener in Detroit.

Harrison had been lined up to make a start this weekend in Miami, but the Brewers ended up pushing the southpaw back in their pitching schedule while he continued to tend to a sore left wrist and knee discomfort coming out of his previous outing April 11. Per MLB.com, Harrison completed a bullpen session Saturday, and with the 24-year-old apparently checking out fine following the workout, he'll be cleared to rejoin the rotation. Milwaukee called up Coleman Crow to make a spot start Friday in Harrison's stead, but Crow has since been optioned back to Triple-A Nashville.

Myers went 1-for-1 with an RBI and was hit by a pitch in Saturday's 5-4 win over Minnesota.

Myers delivered the go-ahead and game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning after entering the contest as a pinch hitter. It was the second time he's delivered a game-deciding run off the bench. Myers has mainly served as a pinch hitter or late-game defensive replacement for the Reds. He's 7-for-26 (.269) with a stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored over 19 games played (four starts).

Pagan was not used in a save situation in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Twins.

Pagan, who had been dealing with a hamstring injury, returned to the mound Friday, when he notched a save on 13 pitches. That he wasn't used on back-to-back days with a relatively fresh arm suggests manager Terry Francona was being cautious with the club's closer. Tony Santillan closed out Saturday's win.

Kelly went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run off the bench in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

Kelly initially received the day off with Miguel Amaya starting behind the plate, but the former was called on for a pinch-hitting appearance against lefty Brooks Raley in the sixth inning. Kelly promptly responded with his second home run of the year to break a 1-1 tie and put the Cubs in front 4-1. The veteran catcher has an outstanding .970 OPS through 17 games, which would easily be a new career high. Kelly should remain Chicago's clear top backstop moving forward, with Amaya around to spell him once or twice per week.

Happ went 1-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

Happ went deep for the second consecutive day, pushing his season home run total up to six. The veteran outfielder is only batting .222, but he's walking at a 13 percent clip and delivering extra-base hits when he does connect, which has helped him post a strong .861 OPS so far. That would be Happ's highest OPS since the shortened 2020 campaign, when he had an .866 OPS. In a season in which he's played at least 100 games, his highest career OPS is .842.