MLB Player News

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.

The Tigers claimed Holman off waivers from the Dodgers on Saturday.

It's the third time this season that Holman has been claimed off waivers, and he has been optioned to the FCL after being picked up by Detroit, though he'll likely end up with Triple-A Toledo eventually. To make room on the 40-man roster for Holman, the Tigers transferred Trey Sweeney (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Holman appeared in 22 regular-season games (two starts) for the Athletics in 2025 and posted a 5.09 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB across 23 innings.

Hentges (shoulder/knee) threw live batting practice in Arizona on Wednesday and is nearing a rehab assignment, per MLB.com.

Hentges continues to ramp up after undergoing left shoulder surgery in September 2024 and arthroscopic right knee surgery in August 2025. The southpaw appears to be nearing a return to game action after being placed on the 15-day injured list March 25 (retroactive to March 22), and he's expected to come back during the first half of the season. The 29-year-old hasn't pitched in a game since 2024, when he recorded a 3.04 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB across 23.2 innings in 25 relief outings for Cleveland.

The Rays recalled Scholtens from Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Scholtens was called up by the Rays on Wednesday to serve in a long-relief role against the Cubs the same day, and he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.2 scoreless innings. He was optioned to the minors Thursday, but he's back with the big club after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Scholtens has starting experience between the minors and majors and could see some spot starts in Tampa Bay's rotation for as long as Boyle is sidelined.

Atlanta reinstated Hernandez (shoulder) from the injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

A shoulder cyst sent Hernandez to the injured list at the start of the season, but he now appears to have moved past the issue. The 29-year-old owns a 3.11 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 55 MLB innings over the last two years and could be welcomed back into Atlanta's bullpen if he pitches well at Gwinnett.

Atlanta transferred Young (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Young is on the mend from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to return from the injured list until closer to the All-Star break, so his move to the 60-day IL doesn't affect his timeline. He'll give up his place on the 40-man roster to Luke Williams, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

The Mets designated Lovelady for assignment Saturday.

Lovelady has given up three earned runs over 7.1 innings this year, but he'll end up as the roster casualty necessary to free up a spot for Craig Kimbrel, who was selected to the active roster Saturday. Lovelady owns a 5.25 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across his MLB career, but his relatively strong start could prompt another team to pick him up off waivers.

The Twins placed Laweryson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Thursday.

Laweryson's trip to the injured list will open up a handful of high-leverage opportunities, but there will still be plenty of competition in Minnesota's bullpen, as four other relievers have all notched one save apiece so far this year. Andrew Morris was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.