MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Hader (biceps) will log at least five more rehab appearances before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader has so far made four rehab appearances -- two with Double-A Corpus Christi and two with Triple-A Sugar Land -- combining to allow three hits with a 6:1 K:BB over four scoreless innings. With five more minor-league outings to go, the veteran reliever isn't expected to come off the IL when first eligible May 24, though Espada didn't clarify when Hader is slated to be activated, though it shouldn't be too long after that date. Bryan King has been working as Houston's closer of late in Hader's stead.

Jackson opted out of his minor-league contract with the Mets on Saturday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Since signing a minor-league deal with the Mets in early April, Jackson has posted a 7.04 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 7.2 innings over nine appearances split between Single-A and Triple-A. A major-league opportunity with the Mets wasn't likely to come soon, so the 34-year-old will now explore his other options in free agency. That said, he will likely have to settle for another minor-league deal in order to extend his career.

The Brewers selected Strzelecki's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Strzelecki returned to the Brewers on a minor-league deal during the offseason and has begun the 2026 campaign by posting a 3.92 ERA and 1.19 WHIP alongside a 21:4 K:BB through 20.2 innings in Triple-A. The 31-year-old righty will now return to the majors for the first time since 2024 and will presumably take on a middle-relief role with the Brewers.

The Mets recalled Gerber from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

With Clay Holmes (fibula) beginning what figures to be a long stay on the injured list, Gerber will return to the big leagues in a corresponding move to add depth to the Mets' bullpen. The 29-year-old owns an unsightly 8.10 ERA through 10 innings at Triple-A this year, but he struck out five batters across two shutout frames during his lone MLB outing of the season.

The Mets placed Holmes (fibula) on the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Holmes suffered a fractured fibula during Friday's game after getting hit on the leg by a comebacker. Manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game that the right-hander's injury will keep him out for "a long time," but he won't need to undergo surgery to address the issue and isn't expected to miss the rest of the season, per Laura Albanese of Newsday. No replacement has been named to take over Holmes' spot in the rotation just yet, but Joey Gerber will come up from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move to add depth to New York's bullpen.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Friday that Ragans (elbow) played catch with more volume and intensity and hopes to progress to mound work soon, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Ragans landed on the 15-day injured list May 8 due to left elbow impingement, but the southpaw has quickly resumed playing catch with generally positive feedback and results. Thompson noted that Ragans threw a few pitches off the mound Friday, though it wasn't a formal bullpen session, and the tentative plan is for one more day of catch before progressing to full mound work. The Royals won't rush the 28-year-old and he still needs to continue checking boxes in rehab, but it appears Ragans could avoid a lengthy stay on the injured list.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday that Vest (forearm) could return from the injured list Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vest is reportedly on his way to join the team in Detroit after making a rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo, during which he struck out one batter while pitching a perfect inning. Once activated, the 30-year-old righty will likely slot back into a high-leverage role despite turning in a 6.17 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through his first 11.2 innings.

The Tigers optioned Hanifee to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

With Casey Mize (thigh) returning from the injured list to start Saturday's game against Toronto, Hanifee will end up as the odd man out of a spot on Detroit's active roster. The 27-year-old has performed admirably when called upon this year, posting a 1.93 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 9.1 innings, giving him strong odds to return to the Tigers' bullpen at some point.

The White Sox recalled Eisert from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Eisert gave up four earned runs in just 2.1 innings during his first stint with the Sox this season and has posted a 6.97 ERA in the minors since his demotion in mid-April. Despite his poor performance, he'll return to the big leagues to give Chicago a fresh bullpen arm, replacing Tyler Schweitzer.

The Cardinals designated Shuster for assignment Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 27-year-old will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Matt Pushard's (knee) return from the injured list. Shuster has performed well during his time with St. Louis, allowing just two earned runs through 7.2 innings. However, his 7.25 ERA at Triple-A over the past two seasons could dissuade other teams from picking him up off waivers.