MLB Player News

Schultz will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Padres, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Schultz has performed well overall this season, but his ERA remains inflated at 5.30 through 18.2 frames after giving up six runs to the Mets in a May 18 appearance that lasted just one-third of an inning. He's now set for his first opening assignment of the campaign and is likely to remain in the game for an inning or two before Andrew Alvarez takes over in bulk relief.

Gordon is slated to start Sunday against the Giants at Coors Field.

Gordon will receive another turn through the Colorado rotation after he was able to hold his own in his first start of the season Monday in a road matchup with the Dodgers. He limited one of the majors' top offenses to one run on six hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings, taking a no-decision in the Rockies' eventual 5-3 loss. The 28-year-old righty owns a 6.78 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 142 career innings in the big leagues, so despite getting a favorable matchup versus a weak Giants lineup in his second start, he'll be tough to trust at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Blue Jays transferred Estrada (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

Estrada has been on the shelf since early April due to a right shoulder impingement, and though an official timeline for his return hasn't been established, he won't be available for the Blue Jays until at least June 4 now that he's on the 60-day IL. He'll also give up his place on the 40-man roster to infielder Charles McAdoo, who was called up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.

The Marlins signed Willingham to a minor-league contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Willingham began the 2026 season at Triple-A Sugar Land in the Astros organization, but he was released after posting a 3.38 ERA but a 9:11 K:BB over 13.1 innings. The 27-year-old holds a 7.11 ERA in 19 relief outings at the big-league level and will give the Marlins an experienced bullpen arm at Triple-A Jacksonville.

The Red Sox recalled Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

He'll slide into the roster spot vacated by the injured Garrett Whitlock (knee). Samaniego has posted a 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB in 17.1 innings this season out of Boston's bullpen.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left knee inflammation, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock had been unavailable to pitch the last few days after hurting his knee on a wet mound during his last appearance Sunday versus the Twins. The Red Sox wanted to give him time to improve in hopes that he could avoid the injured list, but an IL stint was ultimately deemed necessary. Tyler Samaniego is absorbing Whitlock's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

The Nationals activated Henry (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Henry has been out since mid-April with a right rotator cuff strain. He yielded two runs (one earned) with a 4:1 K:BB over five rehab innings with Triple-A Rochester and averaged 94.1 mph with his four-seamer, which is up a bit from his 93.7 mph average before he got hurt. Henry could work his way into high-leverage spots in the Nationals' bullpen, but he will likely pitch in middle relief initially.

The Blue Jays optioned Lee to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, reports Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.

Lee is being sent down to make space for Connor Seabold as the latter joins the big-league club after being acquired via trade from Detroit. Lee made just two appearances after being recalled to Toronto on May 19, giving up four walks and two earned runs over two frames.

Rojas will not start against the White Sox on Thursday due to posterior elbow soreness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Rojas was slated to start his second game of the season but will instead be scratched due to the injury. Simeon Woods Richardson will take his place as the starter for the series finale against the White Sox. It is unclear yet whether this will lead to an injured-list stint for Rojas.

The Tigers placed Jansen on the 15-day injured list Thursday with pelvic inflammation.

Jansen underwent an MRI after exiting his appearance Wednesday with right groin tightness, and although he hasn't been diagnosed with a strain, the Tigers will send him to the injured list anyway to give him time to recover. Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are the leading candidates to close games for Detroit while Jansen is sidelined, and Drew Sommers will come up from Triple-A Toledo to round out the big-league bullpen.