MLB Player News

The Twins placed Banda on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left lat strain.

Banda logged a hold in Sunday's win over the Rockies but evidently came out of the appearance with an injury. Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Banda's strain is significant, and the reliever will be sidelined for months, not weeks, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers designated Ross for assignment Monday.

Ross made five appearances out of the Texas bullpen, allowing five runs (four earned) with a 5:2 K:BB. The 33-year-old righty is a good bet to clear waivers and could elect free agency at that point.

The Yankees recalled Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

He'll grab the roster spot vacated by David Bednar, who was placed on the paternity leave list. Bird boasts a 27:7 K:BB over 24 innings with the Yankees this season, though that's come with a bloated 4.88 ERA. He could be sent back down later this week when Bednar returns.

The Yankees placed Bednar on the paternity list Monday.

While he welcomes a new addition to his family, Bednar will be away from the Yankees for between one and three days. If Bednar ends up missing the entirety of their three-game series versus the Tigers to begin the week, the Yankees will likely turn to Camilo Doval or Fernando Cruz for any save situations that might arise.

Estevez (shoulder) didn't feel great after throwing a bullpen Saturday and will be re-evaluated in the coming days, MLB.com reports.

Estevez had been making progress in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain, but this marks another potential setback for the right-hander, who has been sidelined since March 29, originally due to a left foot contusion. More clarity on the 33-year-old's outlook will likely come following his pending re-evaluation. With Estevez sidelined for all but one appearance in 2026, Lucas Erceg stepped in as the closer and recorded 12 saves before being removed from the role due to poor performance in favor of Alex Lange, who has converted all seven of his save opportunities in June.

Mears (shoulder) threw a bullpen Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been on the injured list since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement, with his progression halted June 16 after a bullpen session reignited the same soreness and pinching feeling that initially landed him on the shelf. The right-hander is now getting back on track in rehab and came out of Saturday's session feeling good, according to Royals manager Matt Quatraro. Provided no further setbacks ensue, Mears is likely to embark on a rehab assignment in the near future before returning to the big-league club. On the year, he owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Varland (3-3) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, striking out the side in the ninth inning but allowing one run on one hit.

With the score tied 2-2, the Blue Jays turned to their closer in the top of the ninth inning with a potential save situation off the table, but Varland suffered a very fluky loss. Following a two-out double by Josh Jung, Varland saw pinch runner Jarred Kelenic race home from second base after a wild pitch took a strange bounce that left catcher Alejandro Kirk unable to find it in time. Varland has been scored upon in three of 12 appearances in June, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB over 14 innings on the month while going 8-for-8 in converting save chances.

Natera picked up the save Sunday against the Athletics. He allowed a hit and no walks while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Natera entered with two outs in the eighth inning and finished off the game with little resistance, earning the first save of his big-league career. Since having his contract selected June 5, the 26-year-old has posted a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB across 9.1 innings. Natera could continue to see high-leverage opportunities in a suspect Angels bullpen that lacks a defined closer, with Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates and Sam Bachman combining for five saves as part of an informal closer committee.

Gomez picked up the save Sunday against the Rockies. He pitched a perfect inning without recording a strikeout.

Following an Anthony Banda hit-by-pitch to open the ninth inning, Gomez entered and retired the side without any trouble to secure his eighth save of the season. The right-hander has been stellar of late, not allowing a hit across 6.1 scoreless innings over his past six outings while recording three saves during that stretch. The 26-year-old has been great since joining the Twins on May 6, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB with seven saves across 21.2 innings for Minnesota while emerging as the club's top option in the ninth inning.

Chapman allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning to take a blown save in Sunday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Chapman continued a rough patch of performances. He's now allowed six runs (five earned) over his last five innings, a span that includes both of his blown saves and two of his three losses this season. He was able to avoid the loss Sunday, as the Red Sox went on to win in 10 innings. Despite the recent hiccups, Chapman still has a 2.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB across 24.2 innings while converting 16 of 18 save chances this season. He doesn't appear to be at risk of losing the closing job yet, though he has pitched three of the last four days and may be due a rest day soon.