MLB Player News
-
Devin Williams RP | NYM
Yankees' Devin Williams: Sliding back into closer role
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in his appearance on Jomboy Media's "Talkin' Yanks" podcast that Williams will be the team's primary closer while Luke Weaver (hamstring) is sidelined.
Weaver is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after straining his hamstring while warming up during Sunday's game against the Dodgers. Williams was removed from the closer role in late April but has pitched well lately, yielding just two runs with a 15:2 K:BB over his last 10 innings.
-
Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Angels' Kenley Jansen: Cleanly works save
Jansen worked a clean ninth inning, striking out one, to pick up the save during Monday's 7-6 win over the Red Sox.
Jansen's ERA might look a bit unsightly, but one bad outing is bringing down the 37-year-old's 4.91 ERA. When there's an opportunity to lock down a game, he has been as reliable as they come, converting a perfect 12-of-12 save chances with 11 strikeouts and only one run allowed in those appearances.
-
Luke Weaver SP | NYM
Yankees' Luke Weaver: Expected to land on injured list
Weaver (hamstring) is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list and could miss the next 4-to-6 weeks, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Weaver tweaked his hamstring while warming up in the bullpen Sunday's win over the Dodgers, and the injury appears to be more significant than initially thought after the Yankees received his MRI results. The team plans to disclose an official timetable for the closer's return Tuesday, per Passan. Weaver's absence will presumably pave the way for Devin Williams to take back full-time closing duties for the Yankees. Williams picked up his last save May 27 against the Angels, despite surrendering two runs on three hits.
-
Elvis Alvarado RP | ATH
Athletics' Elvis Alvarado: Back in big leagues
Alvarado was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Alvarado will return to the major-league roster after being sent down to Las Vegas on May 13. The right-hander made five appearances in Triple-A after his demotion, allowing four runs on five hits and six walks while striking out six batters over five innings. Alvarado will operate as a replacement arm for Gunnar Hoglund (hip) after Hoglund was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.
-
Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Shelved with biceps inflammation
The Angels placed Stephenson on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right biceps inflammation.
Stephenson will be eligible to come off the IL on June 15, though it's not clear if he'll be ready to go by then while he recovers from yet another arm injury. The 32-year-old righty had previously missed the entire 2024 season after getting UCL repair surgery last May, and he didn't make his 2025 debut until last week after completing an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The Angels recalled lefty Sam Aldegheri from Double-A Rocket City to replace Stephenson in the bullpen.
-
Fernando Cruz RP | NYY
Yankees' Fernando Cruz: Expected back Tuesday
Cruz (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Cruz will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the Yankees bullpen after tossing an 18-pitch live batting practice session Saturday. He's missed the last two weeks with right shoulder inflammation. The Yankees plan to place Carlos Carrasco on outright waivers in a corresponding move.
-
Angel Zerpa RP | MIL
Royals' Angel Zerpa: Improving after slow start
Zerpa threw 1.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's 1-0 loss against the Tigers. He lowered his ERA to 5.01
Zerpa has improved after a few rough outings in March and early May, as he has a 1.08 ERA and 0.60 WHIP since May 16. However, he's seen a significant drop in his strikeout rate to 13.6 percent from 20.5 percent in 2024. He still has plus velocity with an average 96.0 mph fastball, so there's hope for a turnaround. He has just two holds as his slow start has limited his high-leverage usage, but he's still a key lefty in the setup corps.
-
Jordan Weems RP | HOU
Astros' Jordan Weems: Lands minor-league deal
Weems agreed to a minor-league deal with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The righty reliever is expected to report to Triple-A Sugar Land as he begins his tenure in the Astros organization. Weems opened the season with Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett, turning in a 5.09 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB in 17.2 innings before he was released May 19.
-
Erik Swanson RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Picks up win in season debut
Swanson (1-0) recorded the win Sunday over the A's, giving up one run on one hit in one inning of relief. He struck out one.
Activated from the 60-day IL earlier in the day after recovering from a forearm issue, Swanson entered the game in the top of the eighth inning with the Blue Jays down 3-2 and had trouble finding the plate. In addition to allowing a leadoff single to Willie MacIver, he uncorked a wild pitch and plunked Denzel Clarke with a 91.1 mph fastball before finally escaping the frame with minimal damage. Swanson then found himself in line for the win when Addison Barger launched a go-ahead, three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth. The right-hander could eventually work his way into a high-leverage role, but Sunday's performance suggests Swanson still has some rust to shake off first.
-
Joe Jacques RP | SEA
Mariners' Joe Jacques: Traded to Mariners
The Mariners acquired Jacques from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for Will Klein, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Jacques has spent the entirety of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he's posted a 6.04 ERA but also a 24:8 K:BB over 22.1 innings. He will provide the Mariners with some experienced left-handed relief depth at Triple-A Tacoma.