MLB Player News

Hoffman hit two batters and allowed one run on two hits while striking out a batter during the Blue Jays' 4-2 win over the Angels on Tuesday.

Hoffman got the call to protect the Blue Jays' 4-1 lead in the ninth. He started the inning strongly by striking out Zach Neto, but the right-hander's night quickly turned for the worse. Hoffman yielded a single to Mike Trout before hitting the next two batters he faced. Blue Jays manager John Schneider saw enough after his closer gave up an RBI single to Yoan Moncada, turning to Louis Varland to close things out -- which he did on just one pitch that produced a double play. Hoffman wasn't charged with a blown save, but the fact he was pulled from a high-leverage situation is not a good sign for his job security as Toronto's closer. He sits at a 7.59 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 10.2 innings.

Woods Richardson did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings.

A single swing accounted for all of the right-hander's damage Tuesday, as a Francisco Lindor three-run homer in the third inning gave New York the initial lead. The outing was a slight step in the right direction for Woods Richardson after he had allowed 16 hits and 12 runs combined over his previous two starts. Even so, his overall numbers remain elevated, as he now owns a 5.96 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:10 K:BB across 25.2 innings. Woods Richardson will seek to pick up his first win of the season in his next scheduled start against Tampa Bay.

Lopez (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across one inning.

Lopez allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in a 46-pitch first inning, as the Nationals batted around. James Wood then led off the second inning with a solo shot ahead of a Luis Garcia single, and Lopez's night was done after 58 pitches. It was Lopez's shortest start since he went two-thirds of an inning in July of 2020. The right-hander now owns a 3.74 ERA and 20:11 K:BB across 21.2 innings to begin the 2026 campaign. Lopez is tentatively scheduled to next take the mound Sunday at home against the Phillies.

The Red Sox will option Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Anderson has made three appearances since being called up from Worcester on April 14, giving up three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six batters over eight innings. Despite his encouraging performance, he'll be sent back to the minors in favor of Eduardo Rivera, who will presumably replace Anderson as a long-relief option.

Vasquez (2-0) earned the win against the Rockies on Tuesday, allowing three hits while striking out five across seven scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

Vasquez made easy work out of the Rockies on Tuesday, at Coors Field no less, tossing 56 strikes among his 84 pitches while generating 12 whiffs. It was a nice bounce-back performance from the 27-year-old right-hander, who struggled in his prior outing Wednesday against the Mariners. It was Vasquez's third quality start of the season (in five outings), and he has a 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB across 28.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs next week at home.

Morejon earned the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Rockies, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

Although Mason Miller and the Padres had an off day Monday, manager Craig Stammen opted to go with Morejon to close things out for Tuesday's low-scoring contest. That was likely due to Edouard Julien and Mickey Moniak -- both left-handed batters -- being the first two up to the plate in the frame, and the southpaw Morejon ended up striking out both before getting Hunter Goodman to fly out to center field. Morejon has not yielded a run or a hit in any of his last four outings, striking out seven batters while issuing just one walk over that five-inning span. It's been a nice turnaround from how he opened the season (10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 6.2 innings).

Backhus will work as Philadelphia's opener Wednesday against the Cubs, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Backhus has made seven appearances for the Phillies this season, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out nine batters in 6.2 innings. He'll be making his first start in the majors Wednesday and is likely to pitch an inning or two before handing the game over to Taijuan Walker, who is expected to work in bulk relief.

Bowlan (groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, per MLB.com.

Bowlan is recovering from a right groin strain, which forced him to the 15-day injured list last week. The right-hander, who holds a solid 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB across seven innings this year, is first eligible to come off the IL ahead of the April 28 series opener versus San Francisco and could be ready to return by then.

Mlodzinski (1-1) took the loss against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six across 4.1 innings.

Mlodzinski worked in a long-relief role in his previous outing behind opener Mason Montgomery, but Mlodzinski was on the mound from the get-go in Tuesday's contest. He appeared to settle in after giving up two runs in the second inning, but Mlodzinski was unable to escape the fifth, giving up three runs in the frame while recording just one out. It was the first time this season that he gave up more than two runs in a game, and through five outings this season, he sits at a 3.28 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Mlodzinski will look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for this weekend on the road against the Brewers.

Thielbar retired the last two batters in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Phillies to record the save.

The Cubs started the ninth with a 7-3 lead and deployed Jacob Webb, but he allowed two hits and only recorded one out. That's when Chicago turned to Thielbar to put out the fire with two runners on. The veteran lefty calmly got the job done on just six pitches, and he now has two saves and a win over the last three days. Thielbar is serving as the team's top option for saves with regular closer Daniel Palencia (oblique) on the injured list, and he's performed well in the role.