MLB Player News

Atlanta placed Luetge on the 15-day injured list Monday with left bicep inflammation.

So long as Luetge's injury isn't anything more than the minor inflammation and he's able to resume throwing within a few days, he should be in store for a brief stint on the shelf. He had given up at least one run in all but one of his five relief appearances on the campaign, pitching to a 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 6.2 frames.

White (elbow) threw two innings of live batting practice Saturday at the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Florida, MLB.com reports.

As long as he bounces back with no issues, White will inch closer to beginning a rehab assignment. The right-hander had been slated for a bulk relief role with Toronto when he injured his elbow in late March. White is out of options, so he'll be part of the major-league club in some capacity once deemed ready.

VerHagen (1-0) allowed an unearned run without allowing a hit or a walk in one inning Sunday versus the Pirates, earning the extra-inning win.

VerHagen gave up an RBI groundout to Canaan Smith-Njigba in the top of the 10th inning, but the Cardinals rallied for a walkoff win in the bottom of the frame. Through eight appearances, VerHagen has allowed three runs (two earned) while posting an 8:1 K:BB and three holds. With John Denton of MLB.com reporting manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Jordan Hicks would be shifting to a low-leverage role amid his recent struggles, VerHagen could be an option to see some late-inning work. It's unlikely his usage would lead to many saves, but he's been effective enough to snag some holds.

Baumann (2-0) walked one and struck out two without allowing a hit over two scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday over the White Sox.

Baumann has picked up the win in his last four outings. The 27-year-old right-hander has a pedestrian 8:5 K:BB through 9.1 innings, but he's done well in run prevention as evidenced by his 0.96 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. With a low-leverage role and a lack of significant strikeout upside, Baumann isn't likely to make much of an impact in fantasy.

Akin was activated from the paternity leave list by the Orioles on Monday

The O's are off Monday, but Akin will be back in their bullpen for Tuesday's game against the Nationals. Spenser Watkins was sent down in a corresponding move.

Strzelecki tossed a clean eighth inning and picked up his third hold of the season in Sunday's 1-0 victory over the Padres.

With the Brewers looking to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, Strzelecki was summoned from the bullpen rather than Matt Bush, who opened the season in the setup role but has not been particularly effective. Strzelecki came through in a big way, retiring all three batters he faced and notching his seventh scoreless appearance of the season. There has not been an official changing of the guard in front of closer Devin Williams, but given how Strzelecki and Bush have fared early on, there is a chance that could occur.

Moll (0-2) took the loss in extra innings against the Mets on Sunday, allowing an unearned run in 1.1 innings while also recording a strikeout.

Moll was a prototypical tough-luck loser in the one-run defeat, especially considering his outing began with an inning-ending double play he induced from Eduardo Escobar with the bases loaded in the ninth to preserve a 3-3 tie. However, a Francisco Alvarez sacrifice fly that moved Escobar, the inning-opening runner, to third base in the 10th ended up costing Moll, as a Zach Jackson wild pitch eventually allowed the Mets' third baseman to cross the plate with what proved to be the winning run. The 31-year-old southpaw hasn't allowed an earned run in seven of his eight appearances, making him a trusted relief asset early.

Thompson (1-1) gave up one hit in a scoreless eighth inning Sunday to record the win against the Guardians. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander entered the game with the Nationals down 6-5, and after needing only 13 pitches (eight strikes) to retire the side, Thompson was rewarded with his first win when Washington plated two in the bottom of the frame. Thompson has been one of the better arms in the team's bullpen to begin the season, posting a 1.59 ERA and 8:1 K:BB through 11.1 innings, and he appears to be working his way into a high-leverage role.

The Rays transferred Armstrong (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Cooper Criswell, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Durham. Armstrong has been dealing with a neck issue since spring training and now isn't eligible to make his 2023 debut with the Rays until at least late May.

Tampa Bay selected Criswell's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Criswell, who made one spot start with the Angels and the Rays over the past two seasons, will make his return to big leagues after starting three games with Triple-A Durham so far this season, surrendering four earned runs while striking out 10 batters over 11.2 innings. With Jalen Beeks slated to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's game in Cincinnati, Criswell makes for the most logical candidate to cover the bulk of the innings in long relief, potentially setting him up to claim a win if he enters the game while Tampa Bay is leading. A banged-up Rays rotation could return Zach Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list as soon as this weekend, so Criswell may be in store for only a brief stay with the big club.