MLB Player News

Cruz (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cruz said afterward that his mound session went well, and he's expected to begin facing live hitters Saturday. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks over the next several days, he seems to be on track to return when eligible Tuesday.

Kahnle struck out two in two perfect innings Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Giants.

With Will Vest having picked up saves in the first two games of the series Monday and Tuesday, Kahnle was brought in to bail out John Brebbia with runners on second and third and nobody out in the eighth inning. After escaping that jam, Kahnle stayed on the mound and dispatched San Francisco's 2-3-4 hitters in the ninth to earn his second save in May. Vest appears to be the preferred closing option for Detroit right now, but Kahnle remains in the ninth-inning mix thanks to a 1.52 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB through 23.2 innings.

Clase struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

The Cleveland closer needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to carve up the Dodgers' 6-7-8 hitters, fanning Enrique Hernandez to end the afternoon contest. After an uneven beginning to the campaign, Clase has been charged with an earned run in only one of his 10 appearances in May, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB on the month while converting all six of his save chances.

Allard didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers, giving up two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances, Allard threw 44 of 62 pitches for strikes but left the mound in line for the loss, only for the Guardians' offense to rally late against Tanner Scott and the Dodgers' bullpen. Allard has been effective as a long reliever and swingman this year, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB through 22 innings, but that lack of dominance -- not to mention a 5.71 career ERA in the majors -- makes him a risky fantasy option even in AL-only formats.

The Mariners reinstated Kowar (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Kowar will return to the majors after missing the entire 2024 season following Tommy John surgery last March. The 28-year-old right hander posted a 2.57 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across seven innings during his rehab assignment and did not yield a run in each of his last three outings. Kowar will be available to make his 2025 debut out of the Mariners' bullpen against the Nationals on Wednesday. Logan Evans was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move.

Hader earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the A's, working around a walk while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hader is now a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances this season. He's been nearly untouchable of late, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out 15 in his last nine innings. Hader's ERA is down to 1.50 through 24 innings this year with a stellar 0.79 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB.

The Angels optioned Eder to Triple-A Salt Lake following Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Eder was recalled by the Angels on Saturday and made two appearances out of the bullpen, during which he issued three walks, struck out three batters and did not allow a hit across three scoreless innings. He has a 4.78 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across six starts in Triple-A this season but could be brought back to the majors if the Angels require a spot starter or another bullpen arm. Robert Stephenson (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Angels reinstated Stephenson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Stephenson has been on the shelf since undergoing UCL repair surgery on his right elbow in May of 2024. He made five rehab appearances between Single-A Inland Empire and Triple-A Salt Lake and allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out five across five innings. Stephenson has been given the green light to return to the majors and will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees. In a corresponding move, Jake Eder was optioned to Triple-A following Tuesday's game.

Castro was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mets due to right knee soreness.

Castro slipped after making an out at first base and was helped off the field by trainers. He allowed one run on no hits and a walk with a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning before exiting. The White Sox have a scheduled day off Thursday before starting a three-game set against Baltimore.

The Royals optioned Sisk to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Sisk appeared in three games out of the Royals' bullpen during his MLB stint, allowing one run with a 6:3 K:BB over three innings. Andrew Hoffmann's contract was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move.