MLB Player News

Leclerc (right lat strain) will receive a second opinion with a doctor in Texas during the week of April 28, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander left an April 22 appearance with what was originally labeled shoulder soreness but later diagnosed as a lat strain. However, the need for a second opinion would suggest his injury may be to his shoulder or more severe than first thought.

McArthur (elbow) continues to rehab in Kansas City but hasn't progressed quickly and is not throwing yet, MLB.com reports.

McArthur underwent surgery in the offseason to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow. While his timetable to return was always unclear, there had been optimism he could return early this summer given he started throwing at the start of spring training.

Long (elbow) has thrown each of the past two days, MLB.com reports.

Long had imaging on his elbow April 14 which showed inflammation and no structural damage. While he's started throwing, it's not clear when he may begin a rehab assignment. The elbow issue may have contributed to the left-hander's struggles this season, as he's turned in a 12.86 ERA and 2.43 WHIP across seven appearances.

The Yankees appear to be making a temporary change at closer after Williams squandered a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning Friday against Toronto, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports. "We'll see," manager Aaron Boone said when asked if Williams would benefit from moving to lower-leverage situations. "We'll kind of talk through this stuff. This is raw right now. We want to do everything we can to get him right, because we know how good he is and how valuable he is going to be for us."

While Friday's blown save was Williams' first of the season, he has now allowed six earned runs in his last two appearances and sits with an 11.25 ERA through his first 10 appearances in pinstripes. Boone stopped short of announcing a role change, but Martino says there is virtually no way the skipper would have answered the questions the way he did "if he hadn't already decided to give Williams a break from save situations." Luke Weaver took well to the ninth-inning role down the stretch last season and has pitched brilliantly so far in 2025, making him the clear-cut favorite for saves while Williams tries to figure things out in lower-leverage spots.

Marsh (shoulder) started a new throwing program on April 25, MLB.com reports.

Marsh had been shut down from throwing since April 5 after suffering a setback in his shoulder. He was set for further evaluation this week and it sounds like neither imaging nor a medical exam revealed any issues. He's still likely a month or more from returning as he begins to ramp up activity. Marsh originally experienced tightness in his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program and was being eased into action in the spring.

Smith left Friday's appearance for Triple-A Indianapolis after facing just one batter with an undisclosed injury, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Smith left in the middle of a plate appearance against Royce Lewis when he signaled for a trainer. Smith has thrown 1.1 scoreless innings in three appearances for Indianapolis this season.

Erceg pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out one batter to collect his first save of the season in a 2-0 victory over Houston on Friday.

The Royals turned to Erceg for the ninth inning after deploying primary closer Carlos Estevez twice in three days, and the former did not disappoint. With a 0.87 ERA and 0.39 WHIP through 10.1 innings this season, the 29-year-old Erceg remains one of the most reliable relievers in the league, and he could wrestle back the closer job from Estevez eventually.

Pagan struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to earn his sixth save of the season in an 8-7 win over the Rockies.

Pagan needed 15 pitches (nine strikes) to get through the ninth inning and struck out the last two batters he faced. It was the fifth time this season that he's recorded multiple strikeouts, three of which have come over his last five outings. Pagan has a 2.19 ERA, 0.41 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB across 12.1 innings this season, which should keep him in the closer role over Alexis Diaz -- at least for the time being.

Helsley earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Brewers, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout or a walk.

Helsley was brought in for the ninth inning to preserve a one-run lead. He got around an Isaac Collins leadoff single by inducing a double play, and Helsley secured the save after Caleb Durbin lined out to center field. Helsley has recorded a save in three of his last four outings and has a 2.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over nine innings this season.

Cleavinger picked up the save Friday against the Padres after tossing a clean ninth inning, striking out two.

With closer Pete Fairbanks having worked each of the past two days, Cleavinger was called upon to slam the door and protect a 1-0 lead. The left-hander earned his first save of the year after throwing seven of his 10 pitches for strikes, and he now sports a 2.53 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings. Cleavinger is one of Tampa Bay's top left-handed relievers, but his save opportunities are likely to remain scarce while Fairbanks is healthy.