MLB Player News

Horton is scheduled to start Friday's game against the White Sox at Wrigley Field, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

After being promoted from Triple-A Iowa last Saturday, Horton made his MLB debut later that day against the Mets, working in bulk relief and striking out five while allowing three runs on four hits and no walks across four innings en route to claiming the win. According to Levine, manager Craig Counsell suggested that the decision to use Horton in relief against the Mets was mainly to spare him from matchups with Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso to begin his big-league career, but the top of the White Sox lineup won't provide nearly as tough of a test. Horton should continue to hold down a spot in the Chicago rotation at least until Shota Imanaga (hamstring) is ready to return from the injured list.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Sauer will start Thursday's game against the Athletics, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sauer will pick up his first MLB start Thursday, as all 14 of his appearances with the Royals in 2024 as well as his first four with the Dodgers in 2025 had come out of the bullpen. The right-hander made three starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this season and worked as a bulk reliever or piggyback pitcher in two of his relief outings with Los Angeles, pitching five innings April 29 and four innings May 7. The Dodgers will likely look for Sauer to cover 4-to-6 innings Thursday before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Ferrer (1-2) picked up the win Wednesday over the Mets, striking out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

The southpaw became the pitcher of record when the Nationals rallied for two runs in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth to erase a 4-1 deficit. Ferrer has been prone to blowups this season, most recently surrendering five runs in one-third of an inning against the Guardians on May 6, but he continues to see high-leverage opportunities in a Washington bullpen that lacks better options. Through 22 innings this season, Ferrer carries a 6.95 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB with nine holds in 22 appearances.

The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

The reliever was returned to Triple-A after he had been called up to serve as the Cardinals' 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader in Philadelphia. He was used for the final inning of the Cardinals' 14-7 win in Game 2, striking out the side on 14 pitches.

Smith (elbow) has been playing catch from 120 feet up to three times per week and threw 10 pitches from halfway up the mound earlier this week, Joe Pantorno of AMNY.com reports.

Coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, Smith hopes to throw from the top of the bump in 2-to-3 weeks. The goal for the reliever is to begin a rehab assignment later this summer and return to the Mets before the end of the season, although he might not make it back until 2026. The Mets re-signed Smith in February to a one-year deal with a club option for next season.

Miller gave up a run on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in an 8-7 win over the Giants. He struck out one.

The veteran righty loaded the bases before walking LaMonte Wade with two outs to bring home a run, but Miller was able to coax a shallow fly to center field out of Christian Koss to end the game. Miller's converted three of his four save chances in six May appearances while adding a win and a hold as Arizona tries to piece together a high-leverage crew in the wake of injuries to Justin Martinez (shoulder) and A.J. Puk (elbow). However, Miller's 4.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB through six innings on the month don't provide a lot of confidence that he'll remain a reliable closing option.

Santana allowed one hit with no walks and no strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Mets.

He didn't get a save because the Pirates held a four-run lead, but he entered the game following David Bednar. Santana has now pitched in the ninth inning in four consecutive appearances, picking up a save and a win in that span. Given that, Santana appears to be the top choice for saves in Pittsburgh for the time being.

Bednar threw a scoreless eighth inning without allowing a baserunner and striking out two Wednesday against the Mets.

Bednar was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the eighth inning, and he needed only 12 pitches to do so. Bednar has allowed only three earned runs across 11.2 innings with an 18:1 K:BB since being recalled April 19. However, he's pitched in the eighth inning and behind Dennis Santana regularly since Santana returned from bereavement leave May 4.

Finnegan picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Atlanta, allowing one hit with one strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning.

Washington came back from a 4-1 deficit in the seventh inning, thrusting Finnegan into a save opportunity. The 33-year-old collected his 13th save of the campaign, retiring three straight batters after allowing a leadoff single to convert his fourth straight save. Through 15.2 innings, Finnegan owns a 1.40 ERA and a 16:7 K:BB.

Tinoco picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Cubs, throwing a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout.

Tinoco blew a save Tuesday night, but he retook the mound Wednesday for the ninth frame with the Marlins leading 3-1 and fired a perfect inning. He retired Carson Kelly, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner in order. In 14 appearances, Tinoco has a 4.61 ERA and a 9:6 K:BB over 13.2 innings while leading the Marlins with four saves, though Calvin Faucher is also in the mix at closer.