MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Estrada had pitched each of the last three days, so his spot on the roster will be filled by a fresh bullpen arm. The 27-year-old has permitted seven runs (six earned) with an 8:8 K:BB over 12 innings during his time with the big club in 2026.

The Blue Jays selected Woods Richardson's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Woods Richardson was removed from the 40-man roster in late June, but he's earned another opportunity by logging a 1.65 ERA and 14:6 K:BB over 16.1 innings across his last four appearances with Buffalo. The righty will likely be used in a long relief role.

Pivetta (forearm) played catch at PetCo Park on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta is in a holding pattern in terms of resuming a rehab stint, but he's still been able to do some throwing. The right-hander exited a rehab start -- his first since landing on the injured list April 14 due to a right flexor strain -- with Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 4 after throwing just 14 pitches, though he did get in some more throws in the bullpen afterward. According to Cassavell, the Padres have "tentative plans" for Pivetta to throw a bullpen session but haven't revealed a date for that to take place.

The Mariners released Lawrence on Saturday.

Lawrence made six appearances at the big-league level in 2025 between stops with the Blue Jays and Mariners, but he's spent the entire 2026 campaign to date in the minors. The 38-year-old righty had pitched well at Triple-A Tacoma with a 4.37 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 79:19 K:BB across 131.2 innings over 23 starts in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so he appears to have exercised an opt out in his contract rather than being cut loose for performance-related reasons. Lawrence will look to catch on with an organization that can present him with a clearer path back to the big leagues.

Dion (1-0) picked up the win Sunday over the Reds, allowing one hit and striking out one in three scoreless relief innings.

Brad Lord got the start in a bullpen day for the Nationals and worked the first 2.2 innings before handing a 2-1 lead off to Dion, who shut Cincinnati down over 41 pitches (30 strikes) to earn his first big-league win. Acquired from the Guardians in the Foster Griffin deal, Dion has had a promising adjustment to a full-time relief role in 2026, posting a 52:7 K:BB over 37.1 Triple-A innings and delivering a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB in his first 14 appearances and 23.1 innings at the top level.

Kinley struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Sunday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Yankees.

Didier Fuentes worked the eighth inning and allowed the tying run while closer Raisel Iglesias handled the ninth, leaving manager Walt Weiss to turn to Kinley after Atlanta plated a run in the top of the 10th. The right-hander got the job done, fanning former Rockies teammate Ryan McMahon to end the game. It was Kinley's 22nd career save, but his first in an Atlanta uniform since being acquired at the 2025 trade deadline. Through 41 innings over 47 appearances this season, he's produced a 3.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB while picking up six wins and 12 holds.

Yoho (2-1) was tagged with the loss to the White Sox on Sunday, when he allowed four runs on two hits and four walks over a third of an inning.

Yoho was one of several relievers to pitch Sunday, when starter Joey Cantillo was removed after one inning following a significant rain delay. Things did not go well for the reliever, who entered in the third inning with two outs and no runners on base. The right-hander allowed a walk, a double and another walk before Colson Montgomery took him deep for a three-run home run. Yoho was a trade-deadline acquisition and in position for high-leverage work in the Guardians' bullpen, but he's allowed seven runs on five hits (two HRs) and four walks in consecutive outings (1.1 innings).

O'Brien recorded his 29th save Sunday against the Rockies, tossing a perfect ninth inning.

O'Brien was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and made quick work of Colorado, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches. The right-hander has now delivered seven consecutive scoreless appearances while allowing only one hit during that stretch. Across 48 appearances this season, O'Brien owns a 3-4 record and 29 saves with a 3.21 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 48:29 K:BB over 47.2 innings.

Tidwell is slated to start Monday's game against the Astros in San Francisco.

After dealing away Tyler Mahle and Robbie Ray last week, the Giants had two openings in the rotation, and Tidwell was summoned from Triple-A Sacramento to fill one of those spots. The 25-year-old right-hander acquitted himself well in his first start as a member of the Giants last Tuesday, taking a no-decision on the road against the Rangers while allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk across five innings. Tidwell will be awarded a second turn through the rotation and will tentatively line up for two starts during the upcoming week, with a home start against the Rockies likely on tap next Sunday.

Helsley (elbow) said Sunday that he's about a week into his throwing program but is likely a couple of weeks away from getting back on a mound, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

On the shelf for the second time this season due to a right elbow injury, Helsley looks like he'll be eased along slowly during his rehab program. He's expected to gradually increase his throwing distance off flat ground for the next two weeks before he begins throwing bullpen sessions. After that, Helsey will then need to resume facing hitters and complete a rehab assignment before potentially making his return to the Baltimore bullpen. Given the multiple hurdles Helsley still needs to clear, he doesn't appear likely to make it back from the 60-day injured list until at least early September.