MLB Player News
-
Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Angels' Kirby Yates: Throws short bullpen session
Yates (knee) threw an abbreviated bullpen session Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
Yates said afterward that his knee felt healthy but that he still needs to sharpen his stuff before he's ready to pitch in a game. Sidelined by left knee inflammation, Yates is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6. It's unclear whether he'll be back on that date, but if he isn't it shouldn't be long after. Jordan Romano has seized the Angels' closer job for the time being, but Yates could work his way back into that mix.
-
Bennett Sousa RP | HOU
Astros' Bennett Sousa: Facing hitters next week
Sousa (oblique) will throw a live batting practice session next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain in his final spring training appearance. He's eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list next week and the Astros have been optimistic that Sousa won't need more than a minimum stay on the IL, so it's possible he skips a rehab assignment.
-
Nate Pearson RP | HOU
Astros' Nate Pearson: Faces hitters
Pearson (elbow) has progressed to throwing a live batting practice session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Pearson developed soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow a month ago and has been brought along slowly since then. That he's now facing hitters suggests a rehab assignment could be right around the corner. Pearson signed with the Astros over the offseason with the intent to be a starting pitcher, but his best path to a role right now is as a reliever.
-
Dodgers' Jake Cousins: Moved to 60-day IL
The Dodgers transferred Cousins (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for righty Jake Eder, who was acquired from the Nationals on Wednesday. Cousins is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will be sidelined until after the All-Star break.
-
Jake Eder RP | LAD
Dodgers' Jake Eder: Acquired by Dodgers
The Dodgers acquired Eder from the Nationals on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Eder had been designated for assignment by the Nationals and is now headed to a new organization. The left-hander has minor-league options remaining and is likely to be assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Eder has made nine relief appearances at the big-league level, allowing 11 runs with a 16:10 K:BB over 20.1 innings.
-
Cody Ponce RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Cody Ponce: Evaluated Monday for ACL surgery
Ponce will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to determine whether he needs surgery to repair a sprained right ACL, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Ponce suffered the injury during his first start of the season Monday against the Rockies. He will have an outside chance to return later this season if surgery is not required, but if he does need an operation, he'll be shelved until 2027. In either scenario, Ponce appears safe to drop in most redraft fantasy leagues.
-
Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Back-to-back rehab appearances
Kerkering (hamstring) will make the second of back-to-back rehab appearances Wednesday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Kerkering is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6, and making back-to-back appearances points to him being ready to go on that date. He's been working his way back from a strained hamstring that knocked out most of his spring training.
-
Ben Bowden RP | ATH
Athletics' Ben Bowden: Makes season debut at Triple-A
Bowden (lat) struck out a batter and allowed one earned run on three hits over an inning of relief Monday in Triple-A Las Vegas' 13-8 loss to Oklahoma City.
After closing out the 2025 season on the Athletics' injured list while recovering from a left lat strain, Bowden re-signed with the franchise on a minor-league deal over the winter but didn't end up appearing in any games during the Cactus League. However, the veteran southpaw was evidently healthy enough to avoid a stint on Las Vegas' injured list to begin the season. He should serve as a key reliever for the Triple-A club while he awaits a potential call-up to the big-league bullpen.
-
Cody Bolton RP | HOU
Astros' Cody Bolton: Logs three-inning save
Bolton earned the save in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on three hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out five.
Making his first appearance with the Astros, Bolton earned his first career save, pitching the final three innings in Tuesday's decisive victory. The 27-year-old right-hander made Houston's Opening Day bullpen with numerous pitchers starting the year on the injured list. Bolton has a career ERA of 5.60 with a 1.78 WHIP over 45 innings across four seasons.