MLB Player News

Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after allowing no hits and two walks in 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Piggybacking off opener Paxton Schultz, Lauer delivered his second outing of the season with at least three innings while yielding one hit or less. Lauer hasn't worked as a traditional starter for the Blue Jays, as he's made two starts and four relief appearances, but Toronto will likely need the veteran left-hander to help eat innings one way or another until Max Scherzer (thumb) re-enters the rotation. Lauer owns a strong 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he'll have limited fantasy appeal if he's deployed as a bulk reliever his next time out versus a red-hot Phillies offense that's averaging 5.4 runs over their last 28 games.

Webb (2-3) took the loss in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Toronto after allowing two runs on two hits in the ninth inning.

Webb was tasked with keeping the game tied in the ninth frame but served up a two-run home run to Bo Bichette (back), who came off the bench as a pinch hitter. Robert Garcia was brought on to handle Anthony Santander, Vladimir Guerrero and George Springer in the eighth, which was likely viewed by manager Bruce Bochy as the higher-leverage situation. Webb may have hurt his chances at seeing future ninth-inning work in Texas' bullpen, and he now owns a 5.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB over 24.2 frames.

Hoffman picked up the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Rangers after throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.

It was Hoffman's fourth spotless outing in his last five appearances, as he continues to recover from several implosions in May. His ERA still stands at 13.00 in nine innings this month, but the hard-throwing right-hander does sport a 13:5 K:BB during this stretch and continues to operate as Toronto's clear-cut closer despite his struggles. With Yimi Garcia (shoulder) and Nick Sandlin (lat) both on the injured list, the Blue Jays are depending on Hoffman even more for ninth-inning work.

Estevez notched the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Reds after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

It was just the third time this season that Estevez worked more than one inning, and he was able to turn in his 12th scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander has successfully converted each of his 10 save chances during this span, boasting a 0.68 ERA and 13:1 K:BB over his last 13.1 innings. Estevez continues to solidify his grip on Kansas City's closing job, as he's now second in the American League with 15 saves in 2025.

Erceg was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Reds due to an illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Erceg's illness helps explain why he hasn't pitched since Saturday, especially since the Royals led by only two runs entering the eighth inning of Wednesday's contest but turned to John Schreiber rather than Erceg. The 30-year-old righty will have an extra day to recover during Kansas City's day off Thursday and could be back in action for the start of the weekend series against Detroit.

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.