MLB Player News

Pearson allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five across five scoreless innings Wednesday against the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.

Pearson made his much anticipated major-league debut and did not disappoint, routinely hitting 98 mph with his fastball. He relied on his heater and slider almost exclusively, generating 13 called strikes and 14 swinging strikes across 75 total pitches. While his ability to generate whiffs came as advertised, Pearson also showed the ability to harness his pitches, beginning 13 of the 19 batters he faced with a strike. He'll be further tested in his next start, currently projected for Tuesday at Atlanta.

Leclerc missed out on Wednesday's save opportunity against the Diamondbacks after experiencing right shoulder tightness while warming up, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 26-year-old was expected to have a chance to earn his second save of the season, but his shoulder tightened up and Nick Goody was called upon instead. Leclerc should be considered day-to-day until the team has more information on the injury. He'll be reevaluated on Thursday's scheduled off day.

Pearson's contract was selected by the Blue Jays on Wednesday ahead of his major-league debut against the Nationals.

Pearson failed to make Toronto's Opening Day roster but is evidently now considered big-league ready less than a week later, making his big-league debut on the first possible date in which he can be called up while being denied a well-deserved year of service time. Pearson pairs an electric fastball with a plus breaking ball and has a good chance to start strong despite making just three Triple-A starts last season, as his 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 30.7 percent strikeout rate across the three highest levels of the minors last season bode quite well for his ability to get major-league hitters out.

The Blue Jays aren't ruling out moving to a six-man rotation, but for now Hatch, Anthony Kay and Ryan Borucki are on the outside looking in, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

With Nate Pearson joining the rotation Wednesday, that makes five, so it's unclear when Hatch's next start will come. He looked pretty excellent in his first MLB start last week in Tampa Bay, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out three. For now he will be available for length out of the bullpen or as a spot starter.

Devenski (arm) will travel with the team this weekend but is unavailable to pitch Wednesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

The only public diagnosis is arm soreness for Devenski, and the Astros are operating as though he could avoid a stint on the injured list. For now they have been leaning on some youngsters to get things done in the middle innings.

Pressly (elbow) will travel with the team this weekend but is unavailable to pitch Wednesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

The team continues to operate as though Pressly can avoid a stint on the injured list, but considering he is dealing with elbow soreness, we can't rule anything out. Roberto Osuna recorded his first save Monday and has a firm hold on the closer's role.

Foster was recalled by the White Sox on Wednesday.

Foster will take the bullpen spot that had belonged to Jimmy Lambert, who hit the injured list with a forearm strain in a corresponding move. Foster is yet to make his big-league debut but recorded a solid 3.76 ERA and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate in 55 innings of relief for Triple-A Charlotte last season.

Lambert landed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right forearm Wednesday.

A forearm strain is sometimes the initial diagnosis of an injury which leads to a very lengthy absence, though it's not clear whether or not this is one of those cases. Matt Foster was recalled to take Lambert's place in the bullpen.

Weems allowed two earned runs on four hits over three innings while recording three strikeouts in a loss to the Rockies on Tuesday.

The converted backstop made his major-league debut, which came after a position switch four years ago and 10 separate minor-league stints spanning seven different seasons. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Weems hit 97 mph with his fastball on a strikeout of Trevor Story to start his outing, and he was able to impressively settle down after allowing two runs in his first inning of work by retiring the final eight batters he faced. The hard-throwing right-hander threw 33 pitches overall and was also able to feature his changeup, slider and curve alongside the high-90s fastball.

Fairbanks (1-0) was credited with the victory in a win over the Braves on Tuesday, allowing a hit while recording three strikeouts over a scoreless fifth inning.

Starter Yonny Chirinos was able to provide manager Kevin Cash with four quality innings, setting the stage for Fairbanks to get the call in the fifth. The hard-throwing right-hander had a rather memorable frame, as he rang up swinging strikeouts of Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman after allowing a leadoff single to Alex Jackson. The dominance over three of the most formidable bats in the Braves lineup underscores the upside of Fairbanks, who bounced back in fine form from having allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning to the Blue Jays in his first appearance of the season Saturday.