Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar blew Tuesday's save in the 5-3 loss to the visiting Detroit Tigers, imploding for four runs on three hits and one walk while recording only one out. Summoned in the ninth inning to protect a 3-1 lead, Bednar spoiled a gem by starter Martin Perez after allowing a leadoff walk to Riley Greene, three RBI singles, and two hit by pitches before Roansy Contreras took over to retire the next two batters. After taking the loss, Bednar's ERA ballooned to 12.46 to go with a 1.62 WHIP over his 4 1/3 innings of work this year. The 29-year-old All-Star right-hander should have a considerable leash as Pittsburgh's closer after leading the National League with 39 saves a year ago, but it can't help his cause that setup man Aroldis Chapman has rattled off 4 1/3 scoreless frames with eight strikeouts to begin the campaign. It wouldn't hurt fantasy managers to see if Chapman is available on waiver wires.

The San Diego Padres optioned infielder Graham Pauley to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday and recalled catcher Brett Sullivan from El Paso in a corresponding move. Tyler Wade has taken most of the playing time in San Diego at the hot corner to open the season with Manny Machado still recovering from last year's elbow surgery, as the 23-year-old Pauley has been afforded only 15 plate appearances. In those 15 trips to the plate, the former 13th-round selection in 2022 out of Duke has just two hits, although one of them went for a home run. Meanwhile, he hasn't drawn a walk and has struck out seven times in his first seven MLB games. Sending Pauley down will allow him to get regular at-bats on the farm for when he's needed next in San Diego. Sullivan will give the Friars more catching depth for the time being behind Luis Campusano and Kyle Higashioka.

It appears likely that right-hander Jose Butto will be called up from the minors to make another spot start on Saturday for the New York Mets against the Kansas City Royals after they designated veteran Julio Teheran for assignment on Tuesday. In his first spot start for New York on April 4 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers last week, Butto looked good, allowing just one earned run on three hits while walking three and striking out six in six innings for a quality start. If the 26-year-old has another solid showing this weekend against KC, he could stick in the Mets' rotation, at least until one of Kodai Senga (shoulder) or Tylor Megill (shoulder) are able to return from the injured list. Fantasy baseball managers in NL-only leagues in need of pitching depth should take notice.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan (shoulder), who is ranked as the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is currently on the 60-day injured list at Triple-A Oklahoma City due to right-shoulder fatigue and isn't expected to make his 2024 debut until late May or early June. Ryan suffered from shoulder fatigue in spring training, and the Dodgers are being extra cautious with one of their top pitching prospects. MLB's Jim Callis writes that the 25-year-old might have the deepest repertoire in LA's farm system despite being old for a prospect with just two starts at the Triple-A level. The former infielder was originally an 11th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2021 out of North Carolina at Pembroke. He had a 3.33 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 44 walks and 98 K's in 97 1/3 innings at Double-A Tulsa last year. Ryan is strictly a dynasty/keeper stash for now.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias was charged with five misdemeanors stemming from his arrest in 2023 on suspicion of domestic violence last September, according to a spokesperson from the LA City Attorney's office. The charges include one count of spousal battery, two counts of domestic battery involving dating relationship, one count of false imprisonment and one count of assault. An arraignment is scheduled for May 2. The 27-year-old southpaw spent the rest of last year on administrative leave with the Dodgers before his contract expired in early November. Urias was not signed by a team this past offseason and could face discipline eventually from the league. He was suspended for 20 games in 2019 after being arrested but not charged on misdemeanor suspicion of domestic violence. It's very possible we won't ever see him pitch in the big leagues again.