MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Morgan made six relief appearances since being promoted to the big leagues on April 9, turning in a 3.68 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with five walks and four strikeouts over 7.1 innings. He'll head back to Omaha, where he'll serve as organizational bullpen depth.

Thornton (Achilles) was activated from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Thornton got off to a slow start to the 2026 campaign after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon, but he's been given a clean bill of health. He made his 2026 debut with Triple-A Iowa, where he gave up a pair of hits and one walk over two innings but managed to escape without surrendering a run.

Soriano secured the save Monday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

It's possible the Cardinals were short on available high-leverage arms following a competitive weekend series with the Mariners, which enabled Soriano to step up for his first save of the season. The 27-year-old right-hander could see occasional work as a setup man going forward but isn't likely to see many save opportunities in most situations, and he has a 4.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over his first 12.1 frames.

Hollowell (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Saturday.

Hollowell missed nearly three weeks after picking up an unspecified injury. He didn't show any signs of rust in his return to the bump Saturday, striking out a pair in a scoreless inning of relief work at Triple-A Iowa.

Santana (2-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Monday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Brought on to protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning, Santana served up a pair of home runs Monday en route to coughing up a season-high four runs. The right-hander has converted just two of his four save chances so far, but he still has a quality 3.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 13.2 innings in spite of Monday's meltdown. That said, the door is open for Gregory Soto to claim more ninth-inning work in Pittsburgh's closer committee.

Effross (oblique) was activated from the 7-day injured list Wednesday.

Effross has pitched in two games since his return from the injured list. He's tossed 1.2 scoreless frames while allowing three hits and striking out two for Triple-A Toledo.

Bednar earned a save against the Rangers on Monday, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Bednar entered in the ninth inning with New York holding a three-run lead. He gave up a leadoff single to begin the frame and then retired the next two batters. Bednar appeared to have the game wrapped up when Josh Smith hit a grounder to second base with two outs, but Jazz Chisholm booted the ball, and Texas scored when the next batter hit a single. However, Bednar was able to get the third out to wrap up the New York win. He's converted eight saves (on nine chances) this season and ranks second in MLB in that category.

Baker notched the save Monday against the Guardians, allowing two hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander did allow the possible tying and go-ahead runs to get into scoring position, but he was able to get two clutch strikeouts to finish off Cleveland. With Edwin Uceta (shoulder) out for at least another month and Griffin Jax quickly falling out of favor as the Rays' closer, Baker is solidifying his grip as Tampa Bay's primary ninth-inning option. Through 11.1 frames, Baker owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB while converting seven of his nine save chances.

The Cubs reinstated Maton (knee) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Maton landed on the 15-day injured list April 10 due to right knee tendinitis, but he has recovered enough to return to the majors despite just one rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, when he allowed two hits and zero walks while striking out two across two scoreless innings. Matton gave up six earned runs across his three outings prior to landing on the IL, but the hope from the Cubs is the rehab was enough for the right-hander to return to his 2025 form, when he posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 holds, five saves (in 10 attempts) and an 81:23 K:BB across 61.1 innings with the Cardinals and Rangers. Charlie Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Cleavinger (calf) is on track to rejoin the active roster "closer to the weekend," Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Cleavinger has already made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham but has been shaky, yielding four runs with a 4:5 K:BB. The Rays want him to have a couple more rehab outings to sharpen things up before activating the reliever this weekend. Cleavinger has been out since late March with right calf tightness.