MLB Player News

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Espada will provide reinforcement to an Orioles bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Helsley (personal), who was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday in a corresponding move. Though he's unlikely to enter the mix for save chances while Helsley is away from the team, Espada will provide the Orioles with a fresh arm in middle relief. Espada has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB in 10 innings with Norfolk this season.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Wednesday.

Per MLB rules, Helsley will be away from the Orioles for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days after going on bereavement leave. After signing a two-year deal with Baltimore over the winter, Helsley has gotten off to a respectable start to the season as the team's closer, converting all six of his save chances while pitching to a 2.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Rico Garcia (0.75 ERA, 0.42 WHIP in 12 innings) and Yennier Cano (1.23 ERA, 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings) have been the Orioles' top-performing setup arms this season and could be the top choices for save chances while Helsley is deactivated.

The Padres transferred Hoeing (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Lucas Giolito, who signed a one-year deal with San Diego. Hoeing will miss the entire 2026 season after having surgery in March to repair his flexor tendon.

Borucki earned a hold with a scoreless inning in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers, allowing one hit while striking out one.

Borucki entered in the sixth inning and surrendered a double to the second batter he faced but escaped the frame on just 10 pitches, eight of which were strikes. The left-hander has turned in three straight scoreless outings following a three-game stretch in which he allowed four runs over three innings. He now owns a 5.87 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across 7.2 innings in nine appearances this season.

Gage picked up a hold with a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers, issuing one walk. He did not record a strikeout.

Gage recorded the first two outs of the seventh inning before allowing a walk and being pulled. He threw seven of his 14 pitches for strikes and earned his third hold of the season. The 33-year-old southpaw now owns a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB across 10 innings in 11 outings.

The Yankees recalled Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

He's grabbing the roster spot vacated by Ryan Weathers, who was placed on the paternity list. Bird has given up six runs over seven innings at the big-league level this season, though that's come with a 9:1 K:BB. He will likely be sent back down later this week when Weathers returns.

O'Brien gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander topped 100 mph three times in 17 pitches (11 strikes) as he converted his seventh save in eight chances to begin the season. O'Brien also has three wins and two holds in his 13 appearances, but he's seized control of the closer job for the Cardinals with a dominant start to 2026, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.45 WHIP and 15:0 K:BB over 13.1 innings.

Atlanta designated Hamilton for assignment Wednesday.

Hamilton was knocked around for three runs in an inning of work Tuesday versus the Nationals in his lone appearance with the big club. The 30-year-old has often been an effective middle reliever in the past, so it's possible there's interest in him via waivers.

Megill struck out one in a perfect sixth inning Tuesday to record his second hold of the season in a 12-4 win over the Tigers.

The Brewers were ahead 3-1 when the right-hander took the mound, but it was still far from the ninth-inning usage Megill is used to seeing. His performance was encouraging, as he fired 10 of 14 pitches for strikes, but his 9.00 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through eight innings on the season remain sketchy. For now, Abner Uribe appears to be the top closing option for manager Pat Murphy, at least until Megill puts together a sustained run of success.

Puk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and provided an update following the activity, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The earliest date Puk can be activated from the 60-day injured list is May 21, and the reliever estimated he'd be "facing batters or starting rehab games" around then. The left-hander is four bullpen sessions in and will throw at least another six before facing hitters.