MLB Player News

Soriano did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing seven hits and no walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out four.

While Soriano failed to come away with a win for the first time in a start this season, the right-hander kept the Blue Jays off the board to lower his ERA to a minuscule 0.24. Through his first six starts, Soriano has given up just one run over 37.2 innings while posting a 0.82 WHIP with 43 strikeouts, the second most in the majors. Soriano will look to keep it rolling in his next outing, currently slated to come on the road against the White Sox next week.

Nunez earned the save in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Royals, striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Ryan Helsley landing on the bereavement list ahead of Wednesday's game, it was Nunez who got the call with Baltimore up by two in the ninth inning. The right-hander made quick work of the Royals, striking out a pair en route to his first major-league save. The 24-year-old Nunez has gotten off to an excellent start in his rookie campaign, earning a high-leverage role in Baltimore's bullpen. His ERA is down to 1.46 with a 0.65 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB across 12.1 innings.

De Los Santos gave up a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Guardians. He struck out one.

The journeyman righty wrapped up the combined shutout on 24 pitches (16 strikes), although De Los Santos did make things interesting by putting the tying runner on base in the ninth inning with two outs. He's converted three straight save chances since April 14, emerging as the preferred closing option for manager Joe Espada while the Astros continue to navigate the absence of Josh Hader (bicep), but De Los Santos' 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings this season don't suggest he'll have a long-term spot in the team's high-leverage crew.

Lambert (1-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The 29-year-old right-hander fanned eight batters for a second straight start since being called up to plug a hole in the Astros' injury-ravaged rotation. Lambert racked up 32 called or swinging strikes among his 96 pitches (61 total strikes) Wednesday, and the former Rockie seems to be enjoying pitching at sea level on a consistent basis. After producing a 1.84 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 14.2 innings for Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season, Lambert's given Houston a 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over his first 11 big-league frames. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Baltimore.

Martinez (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over eight innings in a 6-1 victory over Cincinnati. He struck out six.

Facing the team he spent the last two seasons with in a swingman role, Martinez made a very strong statement about his ability to be a regular member of a big-league rotation. The veteran right-hander fired 71 strikes among his 95 pitches over a career-best eight frames, and Martinez now has three quality starts among his first five trips to the mound for the Rays. He'll take a 2.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB through 30 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Cleveland.

The Tigers selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Smith was off to a terrific start with Toledo, yielding two runs with a 16:0 K:BB over 10 innings. The 36-year-old will give the Tigers a fresh bullpen arm and will be making his first major-league appearance since 2024 when/if he gets into a game.

The Tigers optioned De Jesus to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

De Jesus was hammered for seven runs (five earned) while throwing 49 pitches over 1.1 innings during an ugly relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. He will be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by right-hander Burch Smith, whose contract was selected from Triple-A.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not commit to Hoffman as his closer when asked Wednesday if he would consider using other relievers in the ninth inning, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Schneider said he's "not ready to make a firm comment" on the closer role, noting that he wants to have a discussion with Hoffman before announcing a decision. Hoffman was pulled from a save chance Tuesday versus the Angels with the bases loaded and one run already in. He was relieved by Louis Varland, who closed things out by inducing a game-ending double-play ball on the one and only pitch he threw. Hoffman has struck out 24 in 10.2 innings this season, but he's walked six, blown three saves and posted a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. If Schneider does opt for a change at closer, Varland should be next in line.

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Anderson will cede his spot in the Boston bullpen to left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was summoned from Triple-A and will provide the Red Sox with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings. During his first stint in the majors, Anderson appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Anderson will likely re-enter the rotation once he returns to Worcester.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Espada will provide reinforcement to an Orioles bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Helsley (personal), who was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday in a corresponding move. Though he's unlikely to enter the mix for save chances while Helsley is away from the team, Espada will provide the Orioles with a fresh arm in middle relief. Espada has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB in 10 innings with Norfolk this season.