MLB Player News

Smeltzer is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Royals, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 26-year-old was called up for a spot start last Saturday and will receive another turn through the rotation after giving up one run on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Smeltzer and Josh Winder are in competition for the No. 6 spot in the rotation -- assuming the Twins continue to use six starters -- with Chris Paddack (elbow) out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday.

Valdez was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Valdez's contract was selected by the Angels on Tuesday, and he allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in a relief inning against the Rangers. He'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster after Jose Suarez was called up Wednesday.

King earned a hold against the Orioles on Tuesday, pitching three perfect innings during which he struck out six batters.

Starter Jameson Taillon was lifted after giving up a leadoff double in the sixth inning, and King promptly snuffed out the threat by striking out the next three batters. The righty reliever went two more frames, setting down the side in order in each and collecting three more punchouts. King has been a force as a full-time reliever this season, recording a 1.40 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 37:4 K:BB over 25.2 innings.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Romano (illness) is recovering from a gastrointestinal infection but isn't expected to require a stint on the 15-day injured list, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Romano hasn't appeared out of the bullpen since Saturday on account of the illness, which he's been treating with antibiotics. Though the Blue Jays are labeling Romano as day-to-day and believe he'll avoid the IL, the 28-year-old doesn't sound like he'll be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Mariners. Adam Cimber has secured saves on back-to-back days while Romano was on the mend, but the Blue Jays could go in a different direction if a save situation arises Wednesday.

Cisnero (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing off a mound Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cisnero has been on the shelf all season after he was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain late in spring training. The right-hander has resumed throwing off flat ground in recent weeks, but he looks like he'll soon be able to move on to the next phase of his rehab program by throwing bullpen sessions. Since he currently resides on the 60-day injured list, Cisnero isn't eligible to make his 2022 debut for the Tigers until at least early June.

The Athletics optioned Logue to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Logue's next turn in the rotation was scheduled to come up Sunday against the Angels in Los Angeles, but the Athletics are expected to replace him with Cole Irvin (shoulder), who should be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to take the hill that day after covering five innings Tuesday in his rehab start at Single-A Stockton. Over his four outings (three starts) with Oakland this season, Logue has turned in a 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings.

Snider allowed a run on three hits in one inning, earning a hold in a 2-1 win over the White Sox in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

Snider hasn't been efficient lately, allowing five runs over his last five innings, but he's managed to pick up three holds and only one blown save in that stretch. The right-hander has allowed just one home run in 15 innings this season while posting a 4.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 12:6 K:BB, six holds and a 2-1 record through 17 appearances. He'll likely continue to see some high-leverage work, but Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont have shared the closing duties almost exclusively this year.

Leclerc (elbow) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week and could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list by late June, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc is currently wrapping up his rehab from March 2021 Tommy John surgery at the Rangers' spring training complex in Arizona. He's been pitching in extended spring training games for nearly a week and tossed a scoreless inning in his most recent appearance Tuesday. Though he previously served as a closer for Texas during portions of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Leclerc will likely have to settle for a setup role out of the bullpen whenever he's cleared to return from the 60-day injured list.

Hernandez (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Tuesday in his appearance at an extended spring training game, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Fellow rehabbing reliever Jose Leclerc (elbow) also made an appearance Tuesday, but he's already been pitching in games for about a week and should be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next week. Hernandez doesn't look to be too far behind Leclerc, with both tracking toward returns from the 60-day injured list at some point in June. With Joe Barlow having thus far converted all seven of his save chances, Hernandez isn't likely to challenge for the closing role once activated, but he could fill a key late-inning role for Texas.

Patino (oblique) threw off a mound Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino resumed mound work in late April, and Tuesday's throwing session was the first time he threw off a mound since landing on the 60-day injured list in mid-April. The right-hander isn't eligible to rejoin the Rays until mid-June, but he should be able to start building back up now that he's throwing off a mound.