MLB Player News

The White Sox placed Leone on the 15-day injured list Monday with lower-back tightness.

Leone tweaked his back during an appearance Saturday in St. Louis and now will be on the shelf for at least the next couple weeks. The veteran reliever holds a 6.75 ERA and 14:11 K:BB over 14.2 relief innings with the White Sox this season.

The Guardians optioned Strzelecki to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

After being called up from Triple-A in advance of the Guardians' weekend series with the Angels, Strzelecki proceeded to make his lone appearance on Friday, when he fired two scoreless innings of relief. He'll be replaced in the Cleveland bullpen by left-hander Sam Hentges (finger), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Guardians activated Hentges (finger) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Cleveland optioned right-hander Peter Strzelecki to Triple-A Columbus to clear room in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster for Hentges, who opened the season on the IL with left middle finger inflammation. Hentges was added back to the 26-man active roster after he wrapped up a stellar six-appearance rehab assignment between Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron in which he struck out seven and allowed just five baserunners over 6.2 scoreless frames. He posted a 3.61 ERA and gathered 15 holds over 56 appearances with the big club in 2023 and should slot back in as a key part of the bridge to close Emmanuel Clase.

The Rays optioned Lopez to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Lopez has managed an 8.44 ERA and 2:5 K:BB over 5.1 relief innings during his time with the big club this season. The 26-year-old should go back into Durham's rotation.

Munoz (2-2) got the win against the Astros on Sunday, firing 1.1 perfect innings during which he recorded a strikeout.

Munoz continued what is turning into his best stretch of pitching this season, locating eight of his 11 pitches for strikes on his way to his ninth scoreless effort in the last 10 appearances, including his fifth straight. The right-hander has whittled his ERA and WHIP to 2.03 and 1.13, respectively, and he'd also recorded saves in three consecutive appearances before Sunday's victory.

Leasure allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

Leasure is consistently working in high-leverage roles, with each of his last four appearances coming in the eighth inning or later. He's turned in three scoreless performances in that span, though he did blow a lead April 28 by allowing two earned runs to the Twins. Leasure also hasn't been particularly dominant overall, maintaining a 9:6 K:BB in 14 innings of work for the season. Still, he has one of the White Sox's five total saves and could be the choice to close games out when Michael Kopech is used in high-leverage situations rather than being reserved for save situations.

Hader (1-3) allowed a solo home run and struck out one to take the loss Sunday against the Mariners.

Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4. He retired the first batter he faced but then served up the go-ahead homer to Cal Raleigh. Hader had turned in three consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run prior to Sunday, though he's now been charged with at least one run in six of his 15 appearances.

Poche (back) threw on flat ground Sunday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Poche had been shut down since hitting the injured list April 26, after receiving an injection in his back and resting for several days. He's projected to return in mid-May barring any setbacks, suggesting he may not need a rehab assignment.

Murfee (elbow) was recently cleared to resume throwing off the slope of a mound, MLB.com reports.

Murfee is on the mend from July 5, 2023 surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. The right-hander should soon begin throwing off the top of the mound while gradually ratcheting up the volume and intensity of his bullpen sessions. After that, Murfee will face live hitters in batting practice before eventually heading out on what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The reliever is unlikely to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until late in the season.

Martin wasn't available for Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins and hasn't pitched since Wednesday due to soreness in his non-throwing shoulder, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Even though the injury is to Martin's left shoulder, the Red Sox are concerned that his mechanics could be affected as a result. If he's not feeling any better after an off day Monday, the Red Sox could move Martin to the 15-day injured list and call up another pitcher from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot in the bullpen.