MLB Player News

The Yankees placed Williams on the paternity list Tuesday.

Williams will be away from the Yankees for anywhere between one and three games while he welcomes a new addition to his family. He made his Yankees debut over the weekend against his former Brewers squad, notching a save Thursday during a rocky ninth inning in which he yielded one earned run on two hits and one walk wile striking out two batters. Luke Weaver could step in as the Yankees' interim closer during the team's three-game home series versus the Diamondbacks if Williams ends up missing all of those games.

Garcia struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Nationals.

Jeff Hoffman had pitched Saturday and Sunday, so Garcia got the call to protect a three-run lead Monday. The 34-year-old righty has been busy himself to begin the year, appearing in three of the Jays' first five games and posting a 4:0 K:BB over three scoreless innings. Garcia is locked into a high-leverage role and should see a handful of save opportunities the rest of the season when Hoffman is unavailable.

Bautista gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning during Monday's 8-5 win over the Red Sox.

Bautista labored Monday, needing 26 pitches to finish off the game. A Romy Gonzalez double and Jarren Duran single plated two runs to make this one interesting, but Alex Bregman popped out while representing the tying run to end the contest. Bautista is still working his way back into form after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery and likely won't work back-to-back days early on, but he'll have a day off before Wednesday's meeting with Boston.

Newcomb (0-1) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Baltimore.

All four runs against Newcomb came during an ugly first inning, but he still allowed five more baserunners over the next three frames. He threw 40 of 64 pitches for strikes and forced four whiffs on just five swings against his slurve. Newcomb has not made more than four starts at the MLB level since the 2018 season with Atlanta. He's currently projected to face the Cardinals at home this weekend, but will likely lose his rotation spot once Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are ready to return sometime this month.

The Athletics optioned Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Harris was sent to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man roster for reliever Angel Perdomo, whom the Athletics claimed off waivers from the Angels. After he was unable to win a spot in the Athletics' season-opening rotation during spring training, Harris headed to the bullpen and collected a hold in his lone relief appearance Saturday against the Mariners prior to being demoted. Harris could get stretched back out as a starter with Las Vegas.

The Blue Jays could start Lucas on Wednesday versus the Nationals, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Kevin Gausman is currently penciled in for Wednesday, but they could push him back to Friday if Lucas isn't needed in relief prior to Wednesday. The Blue Jays are in need of a fill-in starter for Max Scherzer (thumb), and it seems they're leaning toward Lucas over Yariel Rodriguez.

Burr (shoulder) is throwing on flat ground but is not ready to throw off a mound yet, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Burr missed all of spring training and landed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. While it's certainly a good sign he's able to play catch, the reliever does not appear to be close to returning.

The Angels designated Petersen for assignment Monday.

The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for Jake Eder, who was acquired via trade Monday. Petersen, 30, has made 16 relief appearances at the major-league level, collecting a 5.95 ERA and 14:11 K:BB over 19.2 innings.

Little worked a perfect seventh inning Sunday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Orioles.

The 28-year-old left Friday's appearance with cramping in his left lat, but Little looked just fine a couple days later. He's been deployed as the top left-hander in the Blue Jays bullpen in the early going, a role which could lead to a significant holds total after he picked up eight over 49 appearances in 2024.

Gilbert (knee) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Gilbert began the season on the injured list with left knee bursitis but is ready to pitch in games again. He is eligible for activation April 11 and should be ready to serve in a long relief role at that time, barring setbacks.