MLB Player News

Taylor will open Monday's game against the Orioles, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

This will be Taylor's third game as an opener out of five total appearances this season. Thus far, he has been perfect with two strikeouts in two innings as an opener after giving up one run while issuing two walks in two innings as a traditional reliever. Taylor will potentially be stretched out as a starter in 2027, and he has much more history working as a starter, so he may be most comfortable in this opener role. The White Sox may continue to use Taylor in this role as long as things are going well, which limits his fantasy utility in roto leagues, as he can't qualify for wins or saves in the opening role.

Yates (knee) is scheduled to face hitters Tuesday as he works through mechanical adjustments ahead of his return, Doug Padilla of The Orange County Register reports.

"I think it's more of a feeling for me, knowing how the ball is supposed to come out of my hand," Yates said. "I don't think we're a crazy way away (from a return), or anything like that. It's just how quickly you can get to where you're comfortable going back out there and getting big outs for your team." It sounds like Yates and the Angels will have a better idea of how close he is after Tuesday's session. In Yates' absence, Jordan Romano has excelled as the closer, while Chase Silseth has been strong in a setup role for the Angels.

Boston is expecting Whitlock (paternity leave) to return to the team Monday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Whitlock has been away from the team since Friday while welcoming his second child into the world. The righty reliever should be back with Boston for the team's series opener at home versus Milwaukee. Whitlock has yet to give a up a run through three outings spanning three innings this season.

Texas recalled Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Curvelo wasn't able to break camp with the Rangers, but he'll now get a look in the bullpen after Carter Baumler landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain. In his first big-league stint last season, Curvelo tossed 19 innings over 17 appearances and posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB while picking up two holds. He'll likely take on a low-leverage role.

The Rangers placed Baumler on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain.

Baumler had his best outing of the season Saturday versus Cincinnati, striking out one batter in one perfect inning, but he apparently was injured in the process. The right-hander will consequently need to miss at least a couple weeks. Texas recalled reliever Luis Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock to take Baumler's place in the bullpen.

Toronto optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Little has had a disastrous start to the campaign, allowing 10 earned runs and giving up three homers while posting a 6:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings across five appearances. He was a big piece of the team's bullpen while working in a high-leverage role last season, so Little will presumably be given another chance with the big-league club if he's able to work out his issues with Buffalo. The Blue Jays selected the contracts of two relievers -- Austin Voth and Joe Mantiply -- among a series of transactions Sunday.

Toronto optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Estrada was excellent in a bulk-relief outing Saturday, holding the White Sox hitless over four innings while striking out three batters and walking two. However, he threw 66 pitches and would presumably be sidelined for several days as a result, so the Blue Jays opted to shuffle him down to Buffalo in order to beef up the team's bullpen. Given Estrada's performance Saturday, it seems very likely he'll be back with the major-league club relatively soon.

Toronto selected Voth's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

After Voth was released by the White Sox on March 20, the Blue Jays scooped him up on a minor-league contract. In one start with Buffalo this season, the right-hander tossed three innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out two batters. Voth has worked both as a starter and a reliever during his time in the majors, but given that Toronto stated that he'd be available to pitch Sunday, it appears he's slated for a bullpen role.

The Blue Jays selected Mantiply's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Mantiply signed a minor-league contract with Toronto in early March, but he wasn't able to crack the Opening Day roster. The veteran reliever thus began the campaign with Buffalo, pitching in two games and allowing one run while posting a 3:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings. Mantiply should occupy a low-leverage spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen. The team was able to clear room for him on the 40-man roster by transferring Cody Ponce (knee) and Anthony Santander (shoulder) to the 60-day IL.

The Blue Jays transferred Ponce (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Ponce injured his knee during his Blue Jays debut Monday versus the Rockies and is visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to determine whether he needs surgery to repair a sprained right ACL. The right-hander is going to miss significant time and would almost certainly be out until next season if surgery is needed. By placing Ponce on the 60-day IL, Toronto opened up a spot on its 40-man roster.