MLB Player News

The Blue Jays designated Fleming for assignment Tuesday.

Toronto will continue to churn the final spot in its bullpen, as Fleming was dropped from the 40-man roster just one day after long reliever Austin Voth was DFA'd to clear a spot for him. The veteran lefty was unlikely to be available for at least a couple of days after he worked in long relief in his Blue Jays debut during Monday's 14-2 loss to the Dodgers, covering three innings while yielding four earned runs on six hits and two walks.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Ponce will undergo surgery to repair a torn right ACL, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ponce suffered the injury just over a week ago but had been evaluating his options. The timeline for his recovery from the operation is six months, effectively ending his first season with the Blue Jays after just one abbreviated start. Ponce has a good chance to be ready for the beginning of next season as long as he's able to check off all the necessary boxes during his lengthy rehab process.

The Athletics selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The right-hander delivered two scoreless outings for Las Vegas and will replace Luis Morales on the Athletics' active roster. Kuhnel last pitched in the majors in 2024, when he made 10 regular-season appearances between the Rays and Astros and gave up five earned runs with a 5:0 K:BB over 10 innings.

Garcia retired the side in order in the eighth inning and earned a hold in a 2-1 win over the Mariners on Monday.

The left-handed Garcia, who is part of a committee of closers, entered the eighth inning with a string of lefties due up. He worked a 1-2-3 inning to record his second hold of the season. Jakob Junis followed him in the ninth inning to record his first save. Garcia has a 2.25 ERA through five outings, having allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out three over four innings.

Erceg earned the save Monday against the Guardians, working a clean ninth inning with one strikeout.

It was the first three up, three down inning for Erceg on the season, retiring the Guardians in order to earn his third save of the year. With Carlos Estevez (foot) on the injured list, the 30-year-old has been thrust into closing duties and has been a perfect 3-for-3 on save opportunities. If Erceg continues to have success, it's possible that he could take over closer duties on a full-time basis even when Estevez comes back.

Junis picked up the save in Monday's 2-1 win over Seattle. He allowed no hits or walks with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning.

Junis was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and answered with a flawless frame to collect his first save of the season. Through six innings in 2026, the right-hander has yet to allow a run and has permitted just one baserunner. With Texas opting not to name a defined closer, Junis could continue to see save opportunities and work in high-leverage situations if he can maintain this level of performance.

Romano earned a save against Atlanta on Monday, retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.

The Angels carried a 6-1 lead into the ninth frame, so it looked like Romano wouldn't be needed. However, reliever Chase Silseth ran into some trouble, giving up a solo home run to open the inning and then putting a pair of runners on base. Romano was summoned to put out the fire and did just that, getting Mike Yastrzemski to fly out to end the game. Romano is now 4-for-4 on save chances and has yet to give up a run through five innings, so he seems to have a pretty good hold on the Angels' closer role.

Soriano (3-0) earned the win over Atlanta on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out 10 batters over eight innings.

Soriano entered Monday on a 12-inning scoreless streak to begin the campaign. That ended when Drake Baldwin launched a solo homer off him in the first frame, but Soriano responded in impressive fashion, allowing just two more hits and zero additional runs over the remainder of his eight innings. Soriano racked up 15 swinging strikes and 10 punchouts, giving him 21 strikeouts -- tied for the MLB lead -- through his first 20 frames. Soriano posted a career-worst 4.26 ERA last season along with an 8.1 K/9, so there's reason to be skeptical about how long he can keep dominating opponents, but for now he's emerged as one of fantasy's most valuable early-season successes.

Laweryson picked up the save Monday against the Tigers. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.

Laweryson entered in the eighth inning with a two-run lead that grew to four heading into the ninth, though the margin proved irrelevant as he was flawless en route to earning his first career MLB save. After surrendering four runs (three earned) across 1.1 innings in his season debut, the 27-year-old hasn't allowed a baserunner over his past three scoreless outings.

Baker earned the save Monday against the Cubs, allowing one run on one hit and no walks while striking out two in the ninth inning.

A two-out home run from Matt Shaw spoiled a shutout ninth inning from Baker as he earned his first save of 2026. It was the first hit and run the 31-year-old surrendered on the season. He also added two strikeouts to give him six on the season through four innings and four appearances. With some of the other Rays high-leverage relievers struggling to start the season, Baker's early success might earn him some more save opportunities moving forward.