MLB Player News

Dunn signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Thursday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Dunn spent the start of the 2025 season with the White Sox, but he was released by the team on May 28. He'll likely report to Triple-A Omaha for the Royals, though it's unclear if he'll work as a starter or reliever.

Hoffmann was returned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Hoffmann was optioned earlier Thursday but stuck on the roster thanks to the Royals' doubleheader against St. Louis. He didn't appear in either contest and has entered only one game in the majors in 2025.

Estevez pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the save in a 7-5 win over the Cardinals in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Estevez pitched in the day game as well, blowing a save and taking a loss in the 10th inning, but he threw just 10 pitches in that contest. That left him fresh enough to protect a two-run lead in the nightcap, and he was able to get the job done this time to earn his 18th save in 21 chances this season. He has a 1.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB across 27.2 innings while going relatively unchallenged as the Royals' closer.

Aldegheri was optioned to Double-A Rocket City on Thursday.

Aldegheri was promoted to the majors Monday and made his 2025 debut Wednesday. He allowed two unearned runs across 2.1 frames but will quickly head back to the minors.

Spence (2-1) earned the win Thursday over the Twins, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

It was an impressive outing for Spence in his first start of the year after opening the year as a reliever. The right-hander needed just 57 pitches to make it through five innings, with the lone blemish coming on a Matt Wallner homer in the fourth. Spence, who came into the day with a 4.38 ERA across 39 innings out of the bullpen, likely earned himself another look in the A's rotation. His next start would likely come next week on the road against the Angels.

Doval earned the save in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Padres, allowing two hits while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

After suffering a blown save in his last appearance Tuesday, Doval found himself in trouble again against the Padres, allowing a pair of singles that put the tying and go-ahead runs on base. However, Doval would rebound to strike out Jake Cronenworth for the final out, closing out a one-run Giants victory. Doval's allowed just two runs in his last 22.2 innings while reclaiming the ninth-inning job in San Francisco. His ERA sits at 1.61 on the year with a 0.96 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB across 28 innings while converting eight of 11 save opportunities.

Ross will start Friday's game against the Pirates, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ross has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen this season but has gotten more than three outs in nine of his 21 appearances. He is expected to pitch around two innings and will lead off a bullpen game for the Phillies on Friday. Taijuan Walker would have been a candidate to also chip in multiple innings, but he pitched one frame in Thursday's loss to Toronto, so he may no longer be available.

Baker earned the save Thursday against the Mariners, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

For the second time in under a week, Baker was called upon to protect a one-run lead after Felix Bautista pitched the day prior. Baker made the most of the opportunity again, working around a two-out single to close out a 4-3 victory. The 30-year-old Baker has been one of Baltimore's better relievers this season, and he could be in position for more save chances going forward as the O's continue to avoid deploying Bautista in back-to-back games. Baker has posted a 2.57 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB across 28 innings this season.

Estevez (2-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning, taking the extra-inning loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

The Royals pulled ahead 5-4 in the top of the 10th inning, but Estevez was unable to make that lead stick. He allowed the tying run on a groundout and then gave up a walk-off single to Willson Contreras. Estevez had rattled off nine straight scoreless outings, posting a 10:2 K:BB with six saves and a win in that stretch. He's now 17-for-20 in save chances this season while maintaining a 2.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

Helsley allowed a run on two hits and a walk to take a blown save in a 6-5 extra-inning win over the Royals in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Helsley converted all nine of his save chances in May, allowing three runs over 11 innings with a 13:3 K:BB for the month. He struggled in his first appearance of June on Thursday after four days without taking the mound. Helsley has been far from elite this year, but he's still finding success with 13 of 16 save chances converted so far. He's added a 3.27 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 22 innings. His 4.9 BB/9 is well above the 3.1 he posted last year, which largely explains his occasional struggles with run prevention in 2025.