MLB Player News

The Blue Jays placed Cimber on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right rhomboid strain.

Right-hander Nate Pearson was summoned from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Cimber on the 26-man active roster and in the Toronto bullpen. Cimber opened the season with four scoreless innings and scooped up a save across his first four appearances, but he's logged a 7.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over his subsequent seven relief outings. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Cimber is expected to resume throwing later this week and could be in line for a "minimal stay" on the IL, per Mitch Bannon of SI.com.

The Blue Jays recalled Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

As anticipated, the flamethrowing right-hander will move into the Toronto bullpen on the heels of a spectacular start to the season at Buffalo, with whom he posted a 2.16 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Though he has prior starting experience, Pearson wasn't asked to record more than four outs in any of his eight appearances with Buffalo, so he could be deployed as more of a traditional reliever than a multi-inning option out of the Blue Jays bullpen. If he can continue make bats miss at a prolific clip while keeping his walks in check, Pearson could quickly move into a high-leverage role in front of closer Jordan Romano.

Bernardino was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Boston claimed Bernardino off waivers from the Mariners last week. The 31-year-old has permitted eight runs over eight innings at the Triple-A level this season but also boasts a 13:1 K:BB. He'll operate in low-leverage spots as a left-handed weapon out of the bullpen.

The White Sox reinstated Kelly (groin) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Kelly was cleared to return after a minimum-length stay on the shelf due to the right groin strain and didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand. With the White Sox apparently coming away satisfied with his health following side sessions and pitching in live batting practice, Kelly should be available as a late-inning option for Monday's series opener in Toronto.

Pearson is set to join the Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday and could be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of the big club's series opener versus the White Sox, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The Blue Jays appear to have abandoned developing Pearson as a starter due to injuries having cost him extensive time in each of the previous three seasons, but the power right-hander still possesses the type of premium velocity that could make him a major weapon near the back end of the bullpen. He's flashed that potential thus far at Buffalo, pitching to a 2.16 ERA and 16:5 K:BB across 8.1 innings over his eight appearances. Once he's formally activated, Pearson could start out in a lower-leverage role out of the bullpen, but it's not difficult to envision him emerging as one of the top setup men for closer Jordan Romano if he can stay healthy and keep his free passes in check.

Smith allowed one hit and struck out one to record his second save in Sunday's 5-2 win over Oakland.

With a couple of left-handed batters due up in the ninth inning, Texas manager Bruce Bochy had Smith warming up to close out the game instead of a rested Jose Leclerc. Smith has been reliable in whichever role Bochy wants, so more save chances can be expected. The lefty reliever has allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings.

Fairbanks struck out one and did not allow a hit in a shutout ninth inning to earn the save in a 4-1 win over the White Sox on Sunday.

Fairbanks pitched for the second time in as many days and was able to send the White Sox down with 13 pitches. The 29-year-old has been nearly untouchable in the early going. He currently boasts a 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 5:3 K:BB over seven innings. Saves have been hard to come by with the Rays dominating the competition so far, but Fairbanks has been the team's best reliever and seems to be the ninth-inning guy for manager Kevin Cash.

Duran struck out one and did not give up a hit in a scoreless ninth Sunday against the Nationals to secure his fifth save of the season.

Duran sent all three batters down in 12 pitches in what was his first save since April 14. The 25-year-old flamethrower has held opponents scoreless in six of his eight outings, and now sits at a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and a 10:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

Akin (1-1) issued two intentional walks and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Tigers on Sunday.

Akin issued intentional walks to right-handed hitters in Eric Haase and Spencer Torkelson, and the strategy paid off. The Orioles southpaw was able to get lefty hitters Zach McKinstry and Nick Maton out to end a bases-loaded threat before Baltimore won with Adam Frazier darting home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning. Akin has had his struggles in a low-leverage role, pitching to a 6.75 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings. He also has one hold.

Estevez picked up the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Royals with a perfect inning.

Estevez picked up his third save of the season Sunday, retiring all three batters he faced on just six total pitches. He has allowed just one hit and no runs in his last three appearances combined.