MLB Player News

The Astros could activate Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list to serve as their 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Bolton had made three appearances (two starts) and pitched to a 5.40 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over 8.1 innings before landing on the shelf April 15 due to mid-back inflammation. The right-hander appears to be tracking toward a brief stay on the IL, as he was able to make a two-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. While Houston still has six other starting pitchers on its IL, Bolton may be ticketed for the bullpen once activated with the Astros having received strong results from Spencer Arrighetti and Peter Lambert since those two pitchers entered the rotation.

Lambert and the Astros won't play the Orioles on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Baltimore.

The two teams will make up the postponed game as part of a traditional doubleheader Thursday. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Lambert will start the first game of the twin bill, while Lance McCullers starts the second game. Through his first two starts with the Astros since being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land earlier this month, Lambert has gone 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 11 innings.

Duran (oblique) could be ready to return within a couple days according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Dombrowski did merely refer to the Phillies as "hopeful" that their closer could return soon and didn't provide a precise timeline, and there's been no word of a rehab assignment. Duran is eligible to return from the injured list Thursday, and while that would be a quicker-than-normal return from an oblique injury, Duran's particular injury seems to be a mild one. The Phillies haven't generated a save chance in Duran's absence, but Brad Keller looks like the most likely candidate to pick up a save or two should any opportunities arise before Duran's return.

The Pirates selected Devenski's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Devenski earned a call-up after posting a 2.16 ERA and 14:5 K:BB over 16.2 frames with Indianapolis. The veteran right-hander will provide some length in the Pittsburgh bullpen.

The Reds recalled Mey from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Mey has offered a mixed bag at Louisville this season, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.46 WHIP but also a 14:3 K:BB over 11 innings. The hard thrower might only be with the big club for a few days while Graham Ashcraft is on the bereavement list.

Crochet (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "pretty confident" he'll be able to return from the injured list in the minimum 15 days, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Coming off his best outing since Opening Day in Saturday's win over Baltimore -- a seven-strikeout gem over six scoreless innings -- Crochet was surprisingly placed on the IL on Wednesday due to left shoulder inflammation. Though any shoulder injury for a pitcher carries some level of a concern, Crochet indicated that the Red Sox deactivated him mostly as a matter of caution, after the southpaw relayed to the coaching staff that he felt some fatigue during Saturday's outing. While Crochet will continue to receive daily treatment for his shoulder, he hasn't stopped throwing since his last start, which bodes well for his odds of returning from the IL when first eligible May 12. In the meantime, the Red Sox are likely to recall left-hander Jake Bennett from Triple-A Worcester to replace Crochet for two turns through the rotation.

Headrick recorded a hold against the Rangers on Tuesday, walking one batter and allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning of work.

Headrick entered in the seventh inning after Cam Schlittler tossed six scoreless frames for New York. Headrick gave up a leadoff single and issued a two-out walk, but he was able to get out of the frame without allowing any runs by striking out Brandon Nimmo. The southpaw has been seeing higher-leverage work of late -- after notching zero holds through his first 12 appearances of the season, he's proceeded to tally three holds across his past four outings. Headrick seems to be earning manager Aaron Boone's trust by posting a 1.93 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 14 frames spanning 16 appearances overall.

The Red Sox placed Crochet on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left shoulder inflammation.

Crochet bounced back from a rough two-start stretch to deliver six scoreless innings in his most recent turn Saturday in Baltimore, but he may have tweaked his shoulder at some point during that outing or in his between-starts bullpen session. The Red Sox haven't revealed a timeline for their ace's return, though the fact that his injury is being classified as inflammation rather than a strain could offer hope that he'll be able to return in the minimum 15 days or close to it. Lefty Jake Bennett (0.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP in 24 innings at Triple-A Worcester) was scratched ahead of his most recent minor-league start and could be called up to replace Crochet in the rotation and make his MLB debut during this weekend's series versus the Astros.

Mears (2-1) earned the win in Tuesday's 4-1 extra-inning win over the Athletics. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over a perfect inning.

Mears worked a scoreless ninth inning and ultimately picked up his second win of the season, aided by a Bobby Witt three-run homer in the 10th inning. The right-handed reliever has put together a strong start to 2026, logging four straight scoreless appearances and recording scoreless outings in 10 of 12 appearances. Overall, he owns a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 11 innings and continues to make a strong case for high-leverage opportunities out of the Royals' bullpen.

The Angels recalled Farris from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

He'll take the roster spot vacated by Joey Lucchesi, who was designated for assignment. Farris has permitted just one run with a 3:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings during his time in the majors this season. He will provide length out of the bullpen.