MLB Player News

The Royals activated Kolek (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Kolek is set to make his season debut for the Royals with a start Tuesday versus the Guardians, slotting in as a replacement for Noah Cameron (back). Out since spring training with an oblique strain, Kolek posted a 2.76 ERA and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings in four rehab starts with Triple-A Omaha. He threw 72 pitches in his final rehab appearance, so he could be limited slightly from a workload perspective Tuesday.

The Phillies designated Richards for assignment Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Richards was with the big club for only a few days, allowing one run with a 5:3 K:BB over 4.1 innings. His removal from the active roster clears a spot for Jhoan Duran's return from the injured list.

The Phillies activated Duran (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Duran is ready to rejoin the Phillies' bullpen after missing more than three weeks of action with a left oblique strain. The hard-throwing right-hander did not go out on a rehab assignment, but he should nonetheless go directly back into the closer role for Philadelphia.

Beeter (forearm) has been cleared to resume throwing off the mound, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Beeter was placed on the 15-day injured list a little over a week ago because of right forearm soreness. An MRI came back negative, and Beeter has taken a big step forward with his rehab with the resumption of mound work. It's unlikely he will be ready to return when eligible May 8, but he should be ready shortly thereafter. Beeter has essentially served as a co-closer with Gus Varland this season and should return to that role once he's deemed physically ready.

Zerpa will undergo UCL reconstruction on his left elbow next week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Zerpa went on the injured list last week, and after seeking multiple opinions, has made the decision to go under the knife. He will likely be sidelined until around midseason next year. Acquired from the Royals via trade over the offseason, Zerpa will finish the 2026 campaign with a 6.39 ERA and 8:6 K:BB over 12.2 innings. He'll be eligible for salary arbitration for a second time this winter.

The Astros announced Monday that Wesneski (elbow) is continuing to complete regular bullpen sessions as part of his throwing progression, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Wesneski could soon be ready to face hitters in live batting practice, as he's been throwing off a mound at the Astros' spring training facility in Florida for more than a month while he continues his rehab program for Tommy John surgery, which he underwent May 23, 2025. The right-hander will eventually require a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated from the injured list, so he won't be a realistic option to make his 2026 debut for the big club until some point after the All-Star break.

Devenski's suspension for intentionally throwing at Sal Stewart during Saturday's game versus the Reds has been reduced to two games, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Devenski was initially suspended three games, but he's since agreed to a settlement and will begin serving his two-game ban Tuesday. He'll be eligible to return to the active roster for Thursday's series finale in Arizona.

The Brewers released Waguespack on Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Waguespack holds a 2.25 ERA and 23:11 K:BB over 16 innings this season with Triple-A Nashville, so this could be an opt-out situation. The 32-year-old last pitched in the big leagues in 2024 with the Rays.

Atlanta reinstated Iglesias (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Atlanta could wait until Wednesday to activate Iglesias, but he'll instead rejoin the big club after spending the 15-day minimum on the shelf. The veteran right-hander will reclaim the closer job from Robert Suarez, who should return to a setup role after recording three saves in Iglesias' absence.

The Astros announced Monday that Blanco (elbow) is continuing to complete regular bullpen sessions as part of his throwing progression, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Still on the mend from June 2025 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace as well as a repair of the flexor tendon of his forearm, Blanco remains at the Astros' complex in Florida to conduct his rehab. He's been throwing off a mound for more than a month now, so Blanco could soon be ready to take the next step in his progression by facing hitters. Blanco is hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list at some point in 2026, though he likely won't be a candidate for activation until after the All-Star break.