MLB Player News

The Royals selected Hatch's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Hatch made 10 starts with Omaha, collecting a 4.59 ERA and 46:19 K:BB over 51 innings. The right-hander will give the Kansas City bullpen some length in what will be his first stint in the big leagues since 2023.

The Royals optioned Hoffmann to Triple-A Omaha and then added him as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

Hoffmann will stick around with the Royals for the twin bill, but he was optioned for the purpose of opening a spot on the 26-man active roster for righty Thomas Hatch, who was called up from Triple-A. Since receiving his first MLB promotion last Wednesday, Hoffmann has made just one appearance out of the Kansas City bullpen, giving up two earned runs while striking out four batters over two innings.

Hjelle (1-0) earned the win in Wednesday's 6-5 victory over San Diego, allowing one walk and striking out one in 2.2 scoreless innings.

The 28-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday after Jordan Hicks (toe) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Hjelle threw 18 of his 28 pitches for strikes and retired seven straight batters after allowing a walk. The right-hander had posted a 2.97 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 32:10 K:BB across 30.1 innings in 18 appearances with Sacramento before being recalled.

Iglesias gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning of Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out one.

The Atlanta closer was brought in for the top of the ninth with his team down 1-0, but Iglesias couldn't prevent an insurance run from crossing the plate -- something which loomed large when Atlanta scored its only run of the game in the bottom of the frame. Iglesias has been tagged for at least one run in seven of his last 10 appearances, posting a ghastly 7.71 ERA, 2.04 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB in 9.1 innings over that stretch while converting two of three save chances. As yet, there's been no indication manager Brian Snitker is considering removing Iglesias from the closer role, but his strikeout rate on the season has swooned to a career-low 24.8 percent, and there's little sign of a turnaround in his recent performances.

The Cardinals recalled O'Brien from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

O'Brien will serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Royals and will likely be sent back down after the twin bill. The right-handed reliever has made three appearances in the majors this season, allowing three runs with a 2:2 K:BB 2.2 innings.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Spence will start Thursday's game against the Twins in Sacramento, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Spence made 24 starts for the Athletics as a rookie in 2024, but he's worked exclusively out of the bullpen so far this season, logging a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in 39 innings. Though manager Mark Kotsay specifically referred to Spence as a starter rather than opening pitcher for Thursday's contest, the right-hander is still expected to have a relatively limited workload, given that he'll be pitching on three days' rest and hasn't covered more than 4.1 innings or tossed more than 56 pitches in any of his 22 appearances on the season. If Spence fares well in his start Thursday, the Athletics could have him continue getting more stretched out while keeping him in the rotation on a longer-term basis.

The Angels signed Fulmer to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Fulmer had spent the season at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization, posting a 4.64 ERA and 38:16 K:BB over 42.2 innings in six starts and seven relief appearances before being released Monday. The 31-year-old was in the majors with the Angels for 40 games from 2023 to 2024, collecting a 4.00 ERA and 87:44 K:BB across 96.2 frames. Fulmer will provide swingman depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Winn walked one and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays.

Winn has been effective out of the Rangers' bullpen, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out six over seven scoreless innings. That extended a scoreless run that started at Triple-A Round Rock, where he hadn't been scored upon in 23.1 relief innings. Walks can still be an issue for Winn, but the former starter may have found a bullpen niche for himself.

Martin (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The report indicates the Rangers are in a "holding pattern" with Martin, who is expected to throw another bullpen before the recently turned 39-year-old right-hander is reassessed. Martin landed on the 15-day injured list with shoulder fatigue, and the hope was that he could avoid a rehab assignment.

Rodriguez notched a save against the Padres on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect two-thirds of an inning.

The Giants carried a one-run lead into the ninth inning, and with primary closer Camilo Doval having blown a save and thrown 28 pitches Tuesday, manager Bob Melvin turned to Ryan Walker to shut the door. However, Walker allowed two hits and retired only one batter, so Melvin pulled him and instead turned to Rodriguez. The righty came through, striking out Jackson Merrill and getting Gavin Sheets to pop out to secure his first career major-league save. Rodriguez has been remarkable this season, posting a minuscule 0.66 ERA and 0.62 WHIP with a 39:3 K:BB over 27.1 innings. He has a modest six holds (along with Wednesday's save) across his 26 appearances, but he seems to be working into a higher-leverage role with three of those holds coming over his past seven outings. Doval remains entrenched as the Giants' go-to closer, but considering Walker's inconsistent results, Rodriguez could be a compelling option to close on days when Doval is down or if he were to miss time.