MLB Player News

Erceg picked up a save against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing one hit, issuing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

The game was tied 1-1 after nine frames, but Kansas City was able to score three runs in the top of the 10th to give Erceg the ball with a decent cushion. The right-hander didn't exactly cruise -- he retired the first two batters he faced before issuing a walk and giving up an infield single to load the bases and bring the winning run to the plate for the A's. However, Erceg was able to get Darell Hernaiz to line out to second base to end the contest. Erceg has gone 7-for-9 in save opportunities this season despite an unexciting 4.38 ERA and 10:10 K:BB through 12.1 frames, giving Kansas City a mostly reliable closer in the wake of Carlos Estevez landing on the IL due to a foot injury after just one appearance. Estevez is reportedly nearing a rehab assignment and could be back in early May, but it remains to be seen if he'll retake the closer role upon his return.

Joyce (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Joyce has been throwing live batting practice since mid-April and is now set to make his return to a competitive environment for the first time since undergoing labral repair surgery last May. It's unclear how long the Angels plan on keeping the 25-year-old in the minors, but considering how long he's been sidelined, he will likely get plenty of reps down on the farm before returning to the Halos' bullpen.

Leahy (3-3) earned the win against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out seven across 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Leahy opened Tuesday's start strongly by striking out the side in the first inning. He kept the Pirates off the board over the next four frames but unravelled a bit in the sixth, giving up three runs on four hits (including home runs from Oneil Cruz and Ryan O'Hearn) before being pulled. Leahy got enough run support from his Cardinals teammates to come away with the win, but the nine hits he yielded were a season high. He sits at a 5.52 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB across 29.1 innings and is slated to make his next start next week at home against the Brewers.

Smith allowed a run on two hits and a walk across two innings of relief in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out four.

Smith is off to a nice start with the Tigers since getting the call from Triple-A Toledo, as he's allowed just one run in three appearances, and he's struck out eight batters already across 5.1 innings. The 36-year-old had toiled in the minors since last appearing in the majors back in 2024, and he's not a high-leverage bullpen option in Detroit, but he could earn a more significant role if he continues to pitch well.

The Marlins placed Fairbanks (hand) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to nerve irritation.

Fairbanks exited Monday's contest against the Dodgers after losing feeling in his right hand, and he said after the game that it was similar to the nerve issue he dealt with back in April 2024 while he was with the Rays. He was out for about three weeks then, though the Marlins are optimistic that he won't miss more than the minimum 15 days this time around, per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. In the meantime, Anthony Bender, Andrew Nardi, Calvin Faucher and Tyler Phillips will all be options to pick up saves for the Marlins, and Cade Gibson will come up from Triple-A Jacksonville to round out the bullpen.

Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Chivilli (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for roughly three weeks, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Boone said that Chivilli has some "acute and chronic stuff going on" in his right shoulder, so the Yankees will shut him down for an extended period of time. The team may provide a timetable for the right-hander's return once his no-throw period is over.

The Twins selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

Garcia signed a minor-league deal with Minnesota last Tuesday, and after giving up one earned run over two appearances at St. Paul, he'll join the big club to replace the injured Garrett Acton (shoulder). Garcia has already made six MLB appearances with the Mets this year and gave up five earned runs across 6.1 innings, so he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work with the Twins. Zak Kent was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Twins placed Acton on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder strain, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Acton made his last appearance April 25 when he allowed an earned run on two hits and struck out two in an inning of work against the Rays. In corresponding moves, the Twins selected the contract of Luis Garcia and designated Zak Kent for assignment to make room.

Foley (shoulder) is throwing live batting practice Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The right-hander continues working his way back from right shoulder surgery that he underwent last May, and facing live batters should be one of the final hurdles before he's cleared to begin a rehab assignment. Foley will likely need a lengthy rehab stint in the minors, but he has plenty of time to build his arm back up since he won't be eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day IL until late May.

Slaten (oblique) threw a bullpen session Monday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Monday marked the first time that Slaten has done any kind of mound work since he landed on the injured list in early April with a right oblique strain. Interim manager Chad Tracy said the right-hander is due to throw another bullpen within the next several days, after which the team will evaluate his progress and potentially determine when he may come back from the IL.