MLB Player News

Hoffman blew his save opportunity during the Blue Jays' 9-7 extra-inning win over the Brewers on Tuesday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

The Blue Jays' bats rallied with three runs at the top of the ninth inning, prompting manager John Schneider to bring out Hoffman to protect a 6-4 lead. However, Hoffman lacked command during Tuesday's outing, recording just 14 strikes on 32 pitches (43.8 percent), and the two runs he yielded tied things up at 6-6. He was pulled after walking Garrett Mitchell to load the bases, but fortunately for Hoffman, he did not take the loss after Louis Varland struck out Joey Ortiz on three pitches. Hoffman has struck out 18 batters across 8.1 innings this season but has blown three of five save opportunities, and his grip on Toronto's closer job might be loosening. If he can't turn things around, then Schneider may turn closing duties over to candidates like Varland, Tyler Rogers and, when he returns from the 15-day injured list, Yimi Garcia (elbow).

Sulser will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Sulser has given up eight runs (six earned) over nine innings to begin the season, but the Rays will look to him to get through the first inning of Wednesday's contest. Jesse Scholtens is expected to work in bulk relief once Sulser is taken out of the game.

The Yankees optioned De Los Santos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

De Los Santos was brought up from Triple-A before Tuesday's game against the Angels, and he'll now head back to the minors after giving up one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two innings. The 28-year-old made 25 appearances for the Yankees last season and could be called upon again later in the year to provide the big club with bullpen depth.

Baker earned the save in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the White Sox after recording the final out of the game.

The Rays held an 8-3 lead heading into the ninth, but the team turned to Baker to record the final out of the game after Yoendrys Gomez gave up a two-run homer to Munetaka Murakami, and Baker successfully closed things out by getting Edgar Quero to fly out to center field. Baker has converted three of his four save opportunities and has allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across 6.1 innings this season.

Kittredge's (shoulder) minor-league rehab assignment has been halted due to paternity leave, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.

Through three outings for Triple-A Norfolk, Kittredge has given up one run on three hits and one walk while fanning five over 2.2 innings. The right-hander is likely to continue his assignment once he's ready to get back on the mound, so his season debut with the Orioles may not come until late April at this point.

Vest (1-2) struck out all three batters he faced in an inning of relief to earn the win in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Royals.

Vest was making his first relief appearance in five days, and he got hit hard his last time out, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while retiring only two batters. The veteran looked much better Tuesday and lowered his ERA from 7.94 to 6.75. Vest has allowed five earned runs across two of his eight outings so far, but he's been spotless in his other six appearances, and better days should be ahead for the typically reliable righty after enduring a few hiccups in the early going.

Jansen worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.

After securing just one save through the first 13 games of the season, Jansen now has two in Detroit's last four contests. The lack of opportunities overall has limited the veteran to only 3.2 innings so far out of the bullpen, though he's looked sharp in the small sample with a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and six strikeouts. The Tigers figure to pick up the pace, and Jansen would stand to benefit as the team's unquestioned closer.

Brieske (groin) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Tuesday marks the first time Brieske has thrown off a mound since he suffered a left adductor strain during spring training. He was placed on the 60-day injured list before the regular season began and isn't eligible to return until late May, but the 28-year-old appears to be progressing as expected.

Pepiot (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Pepiot threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday, and it was assumed that he could be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment if he checked out well. However, it appears the opposite occurred, and he will need extended time on the injured list, which puts his return window no earlier than mid-to-late May. According to manager Kevin Cash, Pepiot's inflammation is "doing better," but he still wasn't "feeling like himself" after medication and down time, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports. The right-hander got a second opinion and received an injection, so he will be shut down a few days before he begins building back up. In a corresponding move Tuesday, the Rays signed Michael Grove (shoulder) and placed him on the 15-day IL.

Joyce (shoulder) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

It's the first time Joyce has thrown against live hitters since he underwent surgery in July 2025 to repair his labrum. The Angels still don't have a firm timeline in place for the right-hander's return, but he will likely require a lengthy rehab assignment before being cleared to return to Los Angeles' bullpen.