MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not commit to Hoffman as his closer when asked Wednesday if he would consider using other relievers in the ninth inning, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Schneider said he's "not ready to make a firm comment" on the closer role, noting that he wants to have a discussion with Hoffman before announcing a decision. Hoffman was pulled from a save chance Tuesday versus the Angels with the bases loaded and one run already in. He was relieved by Louis Varland, who closed things out by inducing a game-ending double-play ball on the one and only pitch he threw. Hoffman has struck out 24 in 10.2 innings this season, but he's walked six, blown three saves and posted a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. If Schneider does opt for a change at closer, Varland should be next in line.

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Anderson will cede his spot in the Boston bullpen to left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was summoned from Triple-A and will provide the Red Sox with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings. During his first stint in the majors, Anderson appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Anderson will likely re-enter the rotation once he returns to Worcester.

Hall will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Tigers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Milwaukee will go with Hall for the first inning or two before turning things over to Chad Patrick, who will absorb the bulk of the workload. Hall has issued eight walks in 9.2 innings out of the bullpen this season, but he's also struck out 12 while managing a 2.79 ERA.

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.