MLB Player News
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Caleb Ferguson RP | CIN
Reds' Caleb Ferguson: Cleared for mound work
Ferguson (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
It appears to be the first time Ferguson has thrown off a mound since he suffered a right oblique strain in mid-March. Ferguson will need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Reds' bullpen.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Marlins' Pete Fairbanks: Back from paternity leave
The Marlins activated Fairbanks from the paternity leave list Thursday.
Fairbanks missed the first three games of the series against the Reds as he welcomed a new addition to the family, but he'll be available for the series finale Thursday. The veteran closer has permitted three runs with a 6:1 K:BB over his first four innings this season, collecting a pair of saves along the way.
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George Soriano RP | STL
Cardinals' George Soriano: Could earn high-leverage chances
Soriano could be considered for high-leverage chances in the Cardinals' bullpen moving forward, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Soriano earned his first win as a Cardinal in his last appearance Tuesday versus the Nationals, retiring all six batters he faced (three via strikeout) in the eighth and ninth innings in St. Louis' extra-inning win. The righty's velocity is up throughout his repertoire -- which includes a changeup that topped out at 92.8 mph Tuesday -- and he's incorporated a new gyro slider. Soriano was acquired via trade from the Nationals just before the start of spring training.
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Kody Funderburk RP | MIN
Twins' Kody Funderburk: Collects first save
Funderburk walked one and hit one batter while not allowing a hit or a run in two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Tigers.
Funderburk made things interesting, but he managed to get the job done for his first save of the season. The Twins utilized Justin Topa and Cole Sands earlier in the contest, and Taylor Rogers may have been unavailable after pitching three times in the previous four days, leaving the bullpen short staffed. This was a fifth straight scoreless outing for Funderburk, who has pitched three hitless innings while issuing four walks in that span. He has a 3.18 ERA and 6:6 K:BB over 5.2 innings while adding a 1-1 record and three holds so far in 2026. While he may continue to see some high-leverage work, his early performance suggests his pitching will cause some stress. Funderburk is the fourth Twins pitcher to log a save this season, leaving no clarity to who will handle the bulk of the closing duties.
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Joel Kuhnel RP | ATH
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Secures save Wednesday
Kuhnel struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.
This was Kuhnel's second appearance of the season, and he was trusted with a one-run lead that the Athletics had earned in the top of the ninth inning. He got the job done on 12 pitches (eight strikes), finishing with a strikeout of Ryan McMahon. Mark Leiter had the Athletics' first save of the campaign, but he also leads the team with two blown saves, one of which was Tuesday. Scott Barlow and Hogan Harris were both utilized earlier in the game Wednesday while the score was tied at 2-2. The closer job could very well be up for grabs, but it's unclear if Kuhnel will be a serious contender for ninth-inning duties. With most of the Athletics' relievers getting hit hard early in the campaign, simply pitching at an average level could help Kuhnel at least secure high-leverage work.
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Edwin Uceta RP | TB
Rays' Edwin Uceta: Set for longer buildup during rehab
Uceta's (shoulder) minor-league rehab assignment is expected to transfer to Triple-A Durham next week, per MLB.com.
The Rays are planning for Uceta to make more than just a couple of rehab appearances in order to simulate spring training. The right-hander, who's working his way back from a right shoulder impingement that cropped up in February, had his first outing with Double-A Montgomery on Tuesday and is set for two more appearances there before moving up to the Triple-A level. The hope initially was that Uceta would have a chance to join Tampa Bay in mid-April and battle for save opportunities, but now it sounds like his season debut is likelier to come later in the month.
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Sam Moll RP | CIN
Reds' Sam Moll: Firing blanks
Moll did not allow a hit and struck out two over 2.1 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 7-4 loss to Miami. He also hit two batters.
Moll was needed for length as starter Brady Singer left after 2.2 innings, having given up six runs and 10 hits. Moll has not yet allowed a run or hit over six appearances (6.2 innings) this season.
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Grant Holmes RP | ATL
Braves' Grant Holmes: Six Ks in 6.2 strong innings
Holmes (1-1) notched the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out six.
Holmes was tagged for a pair of extra-base hits, with one leaving the yard, but he otherwise produced a very strong outing. The right-hander generated 13 whiffs, and he notably escaped a bases-loaded jam to finish a two-run second inning and limit the damage. Holmes owns a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings, and he should maintain streaming appeal with a favorable matchup versus the Marlins set for his next start.
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Rico Garcia RP | BAL
Orioles' Rico Garcia: Secures first career save
Garcia walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his first career save in a 5-3 win over the White Sox.
With Ryan Helsley having pitched Monday and Tuesday, the Orioles closer was given a breather while other members of the bullpen stepped up. After Grant Wolfram handled the seventh and Anthony Nunez the eighth, Garcia got the call in the ninth and managed to get the job done despite throwing only 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes. Garcia is establishing himself as a high-leverage option for manager Craig Albernaz, producing a win, two holds and a save in his first six appearances with a 0.53 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB in 5.2 scoreless and hitless innings.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Notches second save
Hoffman earned the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
The Dodgers got the tying and go-ahead runs on base against Hoffman with one out in the ninth. However, the right-hander bounced back to strike out Freddie Freeman before coaxing a game-ending flyout off the bat of Max Muncy to log his second save in three chances this year. Hoffman has appeared in seven games overall this season, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out 15 over 6.2 innings.