MLB Player News

The Astros announced Friday that Sousa (elbow) has begun a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Sousa was placed on the 15-day injured list May 9 due to left elbow inflammation and was shut down from activity for nearly three weeks before receiving clearance to start playing catch. The left-handed reliever isn't expected to require a lengthy buildup period, but he'll presumably need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

The Red Sox selected Kahnle's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Kahnle exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract earlier this week, and the Red Sox have decided to add him to the big-league roster rather than let him reach free agency. The veteran reliever has collected a 1.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 19.1 innings at Worcester and will fill a middle-relief role in Boston.

Harris (3-0) earned the win in relief in Wednesday's extra-inning victory over the Cubs. He tossed a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

Harris tossed 11 strikes in a 17-pitch inning, and with the A's grabbing the lead in the 10th, he ended up getting his third win of the season. Harris has been excellent in recent weeks and has 12 scoreless outings over his last 13 appearances, with the lone exception a May 19 outing in which he allowed two runs over an inning against the Angels. Over that 13-appearance stretch, Harris owns a 1.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 across 10.1 innings.

Fluharty will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Thursday's game in Atlanta, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The southpaw hasn't recorded more than four outs in any of his 32 appearances on the season, so the Blue Jays aren't likely to ask him to work past the first inning Thursday in what will be his third start of the season. Toronto hasn't named a designated bulk reliever to enter the game behind Fluharty, but Chad Dallas was added to the Blue Jays' taxi squad and could be formally called up from Triple-A Buffalo prior to the contest. The Blue Jays also acquired Simeon Woods Richardson from the Twins on Wednesday, and he could be an option to pitch in bulk relief if he's able to join the team in Atlanta ahead of the game's 7:15 p.m. ET start time.

Sterner earned his first save of the season in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Cubs. He tossed a perfect inning while striking out one.

Scott Barlow pitched two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs, so the A's turned to Justin Sterner for the save in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday. This was Sterner's first save of the season, and he needed just 14 pitches (10 strikes) to get the job done. The 29-year-old has been on a roll of late and hasn't allowed a run in any of his last five outings (5.1 innings). He's now 1-for-2 in save chances, but he's not expected to take the closer role any time soon.

The White Sox optioned Murphy to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

He's being cleared from the roster ahead of Tyler Gilbert's return from the bereavement list prior to Friday's game in Philadelphia. Murphy has made eight appearances out of the White Sox's bullpen this season, permitting seven runs with a 9:8 K:BB over 9.1 frames.

Hader walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Pirates.

Hader missed more than two months due to left biceps tendinitis before being activated from the IL on Tuesdayand he was able to convert the save while throwing 17 pitches (11 strikes) in his season debut Wednesday. Hader's 2025 campaign was interrupted by a left shoulder strain, preventing him from earning his sixth 30-save campaign. He'll likely fall short of that mark again in 2026 due to the time he's already missed, but he looks ready to take full control of closing duties for the Astros.

Lange secured the save Wednesday against the Reds, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

After closer Lucas Erceg blew his sixth save of the season Tuesday, Lange converted his first save chance Wednesday but did allow the potential tying run to get to the plate. The Royals figure to continue exploring their ninth-inning options, at least until Carlos Estevez (shoulder) makes his way back into the bullpen mix. Lange has a lackluster 4.33 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB over 27 innings.

The Blue Jays transferred Mantipky (knee) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mantiply is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, so the Blue Jays will stash him away on the 60-day IL and give his spot on the 40-man roster to Simeon Woods Richardson, who was acquired from the Twins on Wednesday.

Smith secured the save Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

While Smith gave up a run and allowed the possible tying run to get to the plate, he got Jose Caballero to pop out and seal a one-run win for Cleveland. The right-hander has mostly excelled as the Guardians' closer in 2026, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB over 28.2 innings with just two blown saves. Smith ranks first in the major leagues with 21 saves and has converted 18 consecutive chances, though he's given up a run in two of his past three outings.