MLB Player News

Erceg (1-0) got the win over Atlanta on Monday, firing three perfect innings during which he recorded four strikeouts.

The rookie got his nine outs on a relatively efficient 47 pitches and extended his scoreless streak to four appearances in the process. Monday's outing was Erceg's longest by far during his brief big-league career, one in which Martin Gallegos of MLB.com notes the right-hander flashed a fastball averaging 97.6 mph that he complemented with a biting slider and power sinker. Erceg's body of work thus far -- especially against a talented Atlanta lineup -- has undoubtedly helped him quickly earn manager Mark Kotsay's trust, with the Athletics skipper deviating from his plan to use Erceg for only one inning Monday after seeing how effective he was in that initial frame.

Hendriks (illness) allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while pitching the eighth inning of Monday's 6-4 loss to the Angels.

After being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January and requiring multiple months of chemotherapy, Hendriks was cleared to return from the 15-day injured list Monday for his 2023 season debut. Since Hendriks wasn't particularly sharp over his six rehab appearances prior to being activated -- he gave up six earned runs in five innings -- White Sox manager Pedro Grifol elected to ease the veteran closer back into the mix in a non-save situation Monday. Hendriks entered the contest with the White Sox trailing 4-3 and received a rousing ovation from the home crowd, but he wasn't able to execute during his time on the mound. He needed 27 pitches just to record three outs and threw just 16 strikes. Though the White Sox likely envision Hendriks eventually reclaiming full-time closing duties, Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly could both still be in the mix for save chances in the short term while Hendriks attempts to regain form following a lengthy layoff from game action.

Joyce struck out two and worked around a base hit in a scoreless seventh inning en route to collecting a hold in Monday's 6-4 win over the White Sox.

The 22-year-old right-hander brought the heat in his MLB debut -- 11 of his 12 pitches cleared 100 miles per hour, with his first four-seamer of the night charting at 102.2 mph. According to J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News, Angels manager Phil Nevin said over the weekend that Chris Devenski and Jacob Webb will likely serve as the primary setup options for closer Carlos Estevez while Matt Moore (oblique) is on the shelf, but Joyce could quickly carve out a high-leverage role in his own right if he continues to overpower hitters like he did Monday.

Fulmer signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Monday.

Fulmer was with the Mariners in spring training before being released shortly after Opening Day. He hasn't pitched anywhere since then but is now likely to report to Triple-A Salt Lake with his new organization to provide some relief depth.

Jameson allowed five hits and one walk while striking out six over 3.2 relief innings to earn a hold in Monday's 7-5 win over Colorado.

Starter Ryne Nelson put the Diamondbacks in an early 4-0 hole, but Arizona's bats and Jameson's multi-inning relief effort bailed him out. Jameson made his first appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Reno and figures to work as a multi-inning reliever, who can spot start if need be. He started three games for Arizona earlier this season but was optioned to the minors following a disastrous one-inning outing against the Padres. The right-hander had lost the ability to command his slider and became too predictable, leaning too heavily on his fastball, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. He rediscovered the slider in the minors, and it was the pitch he used the most often Monday (28 times among 59 pitches).

Kauffmann (0-3) took the loss against Arizona on Monday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out one batter over four innings. Per Thomas Harding of MLB.com, he's expected to be optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque to make room for the return of Dinelson Lamet (back) from the 15-day IL.

Kauffmann was spotted a 3-0 lead but couldn't capitalize, yielding five runs in the second inning and one each in the third and the fourth. The right-hander served up a pair of long balls among the nine hits he allowed and managed just one punchout in another poor outing. Kauffmann's first chance in the majors hasn't gone well -- he's allowed 17 runs over 12.2 innings while posting an unintimidating 7:7 BB:K. The move back to the minors should give him an opportunity to try to develop the tools needed to succeed in the big leagues.

Chafin earned a save over the Rockies on Monday, retiring the only batter he faced via strikeout.

Drey Jameson pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in relief and nearly closed the game, but Chafin was summoned to record the final out after Randal Grichuk stroked a two-out single in the ninth. Chafin got Elehuris Montero to go down swinging on a slider to finish off the victory and earn his eighth save. The lefty reliever has nabbed four saves in May and appears to be sharing the closer role with Miguel Castro, who also has four saves this month.

Pressly blew a save against the Twins on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two batters in one inning.

Pressly got the ninth inning with Houston up 5-4 but couldn't protect the lead. He struck out two of the first three batters he faced but yielded a game-tying single to rookie Royce Lewis with two outs. The blown save was the first for Pressly in 11 chances this season, and Monday marked just the second time he's allowed the opponent to score over his past 17 outings. With those numbers in mind, Pressly's role as Houston's closer remains very secure despite the stumble.

Estevez allowed a solo home run and issued a walk over an inning of relief but came away with a save in Monday's 6-4 win over the White Sox.

Estevez was taken deep by Eloy Jimenez in the ninth inning but still finished off the 6-4 victory without much issue. He's allowed two runs over his last 17 innings, with both coming on solo blasts. Estevez has now converted all 13 of his save chances to date while posting a 1.50 ERA and 32:10 K:BB through 24 appearances.

Brebbia will serve as the opener for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Brebbia is no stranger to the opener role, as he opened one week ago May 22 against the Twins and delivered a scoreless inning (two strikeouts). The Giants have yet to name a primary pitcher, but Sean Manaea could be an option to eat up innings after working only 1.1 frames over the last week.