Randy Wolf opts out of deal with Diamondbacks, signs with Marlins

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UPDATE: Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that Wolf has immediately signed with the Marlins and will presumably step into Jose Fernandez’s vacant rotation spot.

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For the second time this season veteran left-hander Randy Wolf has opted out of a minor-league contract, asking for his release from the Diamondbacks after signing with Arizona a month ago.

Wolf previously asked to be released by the Mariners at the end of spring training despite securing a spot in their Opening Day rotation because he balked at agreeing to a 45-day release waiver request. And now the 37-year-old is a free agent again while trying to make a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery that knocked him out for all of 2013.

Wolf started six games at Triple-A for the Diamondbacks and struck out 35 batters in 34 innings, but he also walked 18 and posted a 4.50 ERA. His best shot to get back to the majors might be shifting to the bullpen.

MLB homer leader Pete Alonso to IL with bone bruise, sprain in wrist

pete alonso
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
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PITTSBURGH — The New York Mets will have to dig out of an early-season hole without star first baseman Pete Alonso.

The leading home run hitter in the majors will miss three-to-four weeks with a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist.

The Mets placed Alonso on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 8. Alonso was hit in the wrist by a 96 mph fastball from Charlie Morton in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Alonso traveled to New York for testing on Thursday. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the Mets will be missing one of the premier power hitters in the game as they try to work their way back into contention in the NL East.

“We got better news than it could have been,” New York manager Buck Showalter said. “So we take that as a positive. It could have been worse.”

New York had lost six straight heading into a three-game series at Pittsburgh that began Friday. Mark Canha started at first for the Mets in the opener. Mark Vientos could also be an option, though Showalter said the coaching staff may have to use its “imagination” in thinking of ways to get by without Alonso.

“I’m not going to say someone has to step up and all that stuff,” Showalter said. “You’ve just got to be who you are.”

Even with Alonso in the lineup, the Mets have struggled to score consistently. New York is 16th in the majors in runs scored.

The team also said Friday that reliever Edwin Uceta had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Uceta initially went on the IL in April with what the team called a sprained left ankle. He is expected to be out for at least an additional eight weeks.

New York recalled infielder Luis Guillorme and left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn from Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets sent catcher Tomás Nido to Triple-A and designated reliever Stephen Nogosek for assignment.

Nogosek is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 games this season.