MLB Player News

Ashby (9-0) picked up the win after giving up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts over two scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Ashby entered the game in the top of the seventh, preventing Milwaukee's 1-0 deficit from expanding while striking out two batters. The 28-year-old went on to pitch another scoreless frame in the eighth before the Brewers tacked on two runs to put him in line for the victory. The left-hander leads the major leagues in wins this season and also leads Brewers relievers in strikeouts (49).

Rojas is slated to start Thursday's game against the White Sox at Rate Field, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The Twins had previously been listing Taj Bradley as their starter for Thursday, but he'll instead be pushed back to Friday in Pittsburgh while the team temporarily expands its rotation to six men in order to make room for Rojas. Since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on May 10, Rojas has made four appearances (three starts) and has logged a 1.46 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB across 12.1 innings. Rojas hasn't tossed more than four frames or 60 pitches in any of his appearances with Minnesota this season, so he could struggle to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win. The Twins have Simeon Woods Richardson available out of the bullpen as a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings once Rojas exits the game.

The Angels optioned Saucedo to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Saucedo made three scoreless appearances during his most recent stint in the big leagues. With Drew Pomeranz (elbow) back from the injured list, Saucedo will head back to Salt Lake.

The Angels activated Pomeranz (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Pomeranz needed just a minimum stay on the IL while recovering from left elbow inflammation. He skipped a rehab assignment and will return to a setup role in the Angels' bullpen. Pomeranz has struggled this season, posting a 7.20 ERA and 12:8 K:BB over 15 frames.

Rogers worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a win over the Marlins.

A pop-up and two flyouts took care of Miami's 7-8-9 hitters after Louis Varland had worked the eighth against the heart of the order. Toronto manager John Schneider's willingness to use Varland outside the ninth will open up occasional save chances for other relievers, but Rogers will be competing for those rare opportunities with Jeff Hoffman, and potentially Yimi Garcia (elbow) beginning in early June as well. On the season, Rogers sports a 2.52 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB over 25 innings while also collecting one win and nine holds in 26 appearances.

Hoffman (3-3) picked up the win over the Marlins on Wednesday, giving up two hits in 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander entered the game with two outs in the sixth inning and got helped along by Tyler Heineman's arm -- the catcher threw out two of three would-be base stealers while Hoffman was on the mound. Hoffman has recorded a win, hold or save in four straight appearances, posting a 0.00 ERA and 7:0 K:BB in four innings during that span as he attempts to turn his season around. Per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, Hoffman credits his recent success with increased slider usage to match the pitch mix he employed with the Phillies in 2023-24, his most dominant years as a reliever. He still carries a 4.81 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 24.1 innings on the year, however, and he's unlikely to regain the closer role as long as Louis Varland remains effective.

The Cubs re-signed Blach to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Blach elected free agency earlier this week after being removed from the Cubs' 40-man roster, but he's now back in the organization on a new contract. The lefty threw three scoreless frames in his lone appearance for Chicago and will give the organization swingman depth at Triple-A Iowa.

Hurt struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

Tanner Scott was deployed in the eighth inning to handle a high-leverage spot, though that left the middle of the Rockies' order to Hurt in the ninth. Hurt did what he's been doing basically all year and delivered a quality outing, retiring the side on 15 pitches (11 strikes). He saw his scoreless streak end Monday when he served up a solo home run, but that was just the second run he's allowed all season. The right-handed reliever has worked his way into the late-inning mix with a 1.06 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB through 17 innings, and he's earned a save and three holds over his last eight outings. Hurt won't be the first choice for saves, but he's showing he can be trusted.

De Los Santos struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Rangers.

This was De Los Santos' first save in over a month. He got the nod in the eighth inning after Bryan King struggled mightily to open the frame. A rough patch in late April seemingly cost De Los Santos consistent high-leverage work, but he's gotten back in the mix by allowing just two runs (one earned) over 9.2 innings in his last nine appearances. He's at a 3.57 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB with four saves and four holds over 22.2 innings this season. His time competing with King and Bryan Abreu for regular save chances is nearing an end, as Josh Hader (biceps) is expected back in the first week of June.

Williams struck out three and also walked three in a scoreless ninth to steal a save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Cincinnati.

Williams walked the bases loaded in the top of the ninth with one out but was able to fan Dane Myers and Blake Dunn for his eighth save in nine attempts this season. The right-hander has converted six straight save chances, with his only blemish coming in a loss against Miami on May 24. During this span, Williams has given up four earned runs (all coming in the loss) and has a 13:7 K:BB over nine innings.