MLB Player News

Hader (biceps) could face hitters next week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader began the season on the IL after being diagnosed with biceps inflammation in the early portion of spring training. Astros GM Dana Brown said in late March that the veteran closer would begin facing hitters by mid-April, and that scenario still seems to be very much in play. Hader has been tossing bullpen sessions, and throwing to live hitters would represent another significant step in his rehab program. Activation before the end of April remains a possibility.

Bednar (0-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Saturday against the Rays, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Summoned to keep the game tied at 4-4 in the 10th inning, Bednar couldn't overcome a pair of bunt singles and then a soft chopper by Jonathan Aranda that drove in the contest's final run. Although it was the right-hander's first blow save of the year, he's certainly been struggling in the month of April. After working a pair of scoreless outings to begin the year, Bednar has coughed up four earned runs on 10 hits over his last 4.2 innings.

Duran struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

The right-hander continues to impress to begin his first full season as the Phillies' closer and has been unscored upon in his past five outings. Duran is 5-for-5 in converting saves chances in 2026, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 8:0 K:BB through 6.2 innings.

Martinez didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Martinez danced around plenty of trouble Saturday, working only one clean inning on the evening. The long ball remained an issue for the right-hander as well, as he has now served up one home run in each of his first three starts of the season. Even so, Martinez has allowed two runs or fewer in each start en route to posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across 16.2 frames.

Lopez (1-1) earned the win Saturday against the Mets, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out five.

The left-hander hardly pitched well enough to warrant a victory Saturday, but the Athletics got to Mets right-hander Kodai Senga early and never relinquished the lead while tallying up 11 runs. Lopez served up a pair of home runs and issued at least three walks in his third consecutive outing to open the new campaign. Lopez has yet to give up fewer than three runs in any of his first three starts, and he'll take an ugly 7.43 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 11:13 K:BB into a scheduled matchup with the division-rival Rangers next week.

Taylor will open Sunday's series finale against Kansas City, and Jonathan Cannon is slated to be called up to work in bulk relief, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Taylor has previously opened three games for Chicago and has been effective in that role, allowing one hit while posting a 3:0 K:BB over three scoreless innings. It's not an appealing role from a fantasy perspective, however, as it removes the possibility of Taylor notching a win, hold or save. Cannon, meanwhile, is slated for his first MLB appearance of the campaign after opening the season with Triple-A Charlotte.

Sousa (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

Sousa opened the regular season on the injured list after suffering a left oblique strain during his final spring training appearance. It's unclear how many rehab outings he'll need, but the Astros never imagined the southpaw needing much more than a minimum-length IL stint, so he could be added to the big-league bullpen relatively soon.

Erceg earned his fifth save the season in Saturday's 2-0 win over the White Sox, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Erceg was brought out for the ninth to protect the Royals' two-run lead, and he needed only 12 pitches (seven strikes) to close things out for Kansas City. He is up to five saves on the year, which is tied with David Bednar and Jhoan Duran for most in the majors. Erceg has a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 6.2 innings to open the 2026 campaign. He may not be available for Sunday's series finale, given that he pitched both Friday and Saturday.

Naughton was diagnosed Saturday with UCL damage to his left elbow after undergoing an MRI, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 29-year-old lefty suffered the elbow injury during his most recent appearance with Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. Naughton will seek a second opinion before determining his next steps, but he could be facing another elbow surgery after missing most of 2024 and all of 2025 due to a pair of elbow procedures.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday that Holmes' hamstring "checked all the boxes" during a series of strength tests, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

The next step for Holmes is to throw a bullpen session within the next few days. If he gets through it without any issues, he'll receive the green light to make his next start against the Dodgers on Wednesday.