MLB Player News

Jax is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After making his first 11 appearances of the season as a reliever and recording no more than six outs in any of those contests, Jax has gradually gotten more stretched out while starting in his last three outings. He built up to 59 pitches and four innings in his most recent start Thursday in Boston, and if he's able to tack on another inning to his workload Wednesday, Jax will have a shot at qualifying for a win. The Rays haven't indicated whether Jax will remain in a starting role for the long haul, though the team will have a spot in the rotation available to him while both Steven Matz (elbow) and Joe Boyle (elbow) are stuck on the injured list.

Baker earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox, working around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Baker found himself in trouble Sunday after giving up a double and a walk to open the ninth, but he managed to get through the inning unscathed, extending his scoreless streak to 7.1 innings while converting his 10th save this season. Baker's ERA is down to 2.30 across 15.2 innings with a 0.89 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB.

Martinez (4-1) earned the win Sunday over the Red Sox, allowing a run on seven hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Martinez was sharp again Sunday, as he held the Red Sox scoreless until the sixth inning. The veteran right-hander still hasn't allowed more than two runs in a start this season and he's held opponents to just three runs over 25.2 innings in his last four outings. Martinez's ERA is down to 1.70 through eight starts (47.2 innings) this season with a 1.06 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB. He's tentatively lined up to face the Marlins at home his next time out.

Garcia earned the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Athletics, allowing one walk and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Garcia was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a two-out walk to slam the door on 17 pitches. It marked the second straight converted save for the 32-year-old, and he's now held opponents scoreless in 18 of 19 appearances to open the campaign. Overall, he owns a 0.50 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB across 18 frames and should remain Baltimore's preferred option for saves until Ryan Helsley (elbow) returns.

Joyce (shoulder) is slated to make a fifth rehab appearance Sunday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The hard-throwing righty has had uneven results through his first four outings for Rancho Cucamonga, striking out five batters and surrendering just three hits over four innings but yielding two runs (one earned) while issuing three walks and hitting two batters. Joyce is working his way back from labral repair surgery performed last May and may need close to the entirety of his 30-day rehab window before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Once he's reinstated, Joyce should step into a high-leverage role in an Angels bullpen that remains unsettled at the back end.

Akin will start Sunday's game against the Athletics, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Akin served as an opener three times last season will do so again Sunday for the first time in 2026. He's surrendered seven earned runs with a 5:0 K:BB across his first 5.2 innings of the season. Chris Bassitt is expected to follow as the primary pitcher.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Though he's been one of six Twins pitchers to record a save this season and leads the club with six holds, Funderburk will wind up losing his spot in the bullpen as his control continued to slip. He has a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings but a more unsightly 1.38 WHIP and 10:13 K:BB on the season. The Twins recalled left-hander Kendry Rojas from Triple-A to bolster the bullpen.

Bradford (elbow) began throwing from 60 feet during the Rangers' most recent homestand, MLB.com reports

Bradford made one rehab start early in April but was shut down soon after. Now that he's throwing again, the Rangers are estimating he could return by late June.

Baumler (intercostal) has been shut down from his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Baumler made three appearances while on his rehab assignment but experienced a setback and hasn't pitched since April 28. It's unclear when the right-hander will restart a throwing program.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

The 28-year-old fired a scoreless inning while briefly up with the Orioles in April and will now take the roster spot of Lou Trivino, who was designated for assignment Sunday. Espada has struggled at Norfolk early this year with a 5.68 ERA and 9:12 K:BB over 12.2 innings, so he's likely to be limited to low-leverage work for Baltimore.