MLB Player News

Varland collected the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Angels, needing just one pitch to collect the final two outs of the ninth inning.

Jeff Hoffman got the call to protect the team's 4-1 lead in the ninth. However, Hoffman's control was all over the place, as he hit two batters and gave up two hits, allowing one run while recording just one out. That prompted Blue Jays manager John Schneider to quickly turn to Varland to get out of a bases-loaded jam, and the right-hander saved the day on just one pitch by getting Nolan Schanuel to ground out into a double play. It was the first save of Varland's career, and the 28-year-old has yet to give up an earned run across 12.2 innings this season. It appears Hoffman's grip on the Blue Jays' closing job is slipping.

Early (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts across 5.1 innings.

Early had success against the non-Giancarlo Stanton members of the New York lineup, but Stanton tagged Early for a solo homer to lead off the second inning before smacking a two-run double in the sixth. It was the extent of the damage against Early, who has looked good through five starts to begin the season. The left-hander owns a 2.88 ERA and 24:13 K:BB across 25 innings. He's expected to make his next start Sunday on the road against the Orioles.

Gil (1-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Red Sox, allowing two hits and three walks with two strikeouts across 6.1 shutout innings.

After allowing four homers and seven earned runs across nine innings in his first two starts of the season, Gil was able to keep the Red Sox off the scoreboard Tuesday. Walks are still a problem for Gil, and he's also not striking out many batters. The right-hander now owns a 4.11 ERA and 9:8 K:BB across 15.1 innings. He's likely to make his fourth start this coming weekend against Houston, but Gil could be the odd man out of the rotation once Gerrit Cole (elbow) and/or Carlos Rodon (elbow/hamstring) is ready to return.

Matz (3-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Reds, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts across three innings.

Matz didn't have it Tuesday, as he was shelled for three homers in the first two innings while walking a season-high four batters before being yanked after needing 77 pitches to record nine outs. Matz had gone at least five innings in each of his previous four starts to begin the 2026 campaign. The left-hander now owns a 4.81 ERA and 25:10 K:BB across 24.1 innings. Matz's return to starting has gone pretty well for the most part through the first month of the season.

Cole (elbow) will make his next rehab start Thursday with High-A Hudson Valley, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The 35-year-old threw 44 pitches across 4.1 innings during his first rehab outing Friday with Double-A Somerset, and he'll move down a level for his next start. Cole will likely require an additional two or three rehab appearances before being cleared to retake a major-league mound for the first time since 2024.

Rodon (elbow/hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Hudson Valley on Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The beginning of Rodon's rehab assignment got pushed back when he developed some hamstring tightness earlier this month, but he's now finally been cleared for game action. Rodon is expected to make three rehab starts before rejoining the Yankees' rotation in early May. He had offseason surgery to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur from his left elbow.

Verlander (hip) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch said last week that Verlander's recovery from hip inflammation was "going a little slower than anticipated," but the 42-year-old continues to throw bullpen sessions. Verlander hasn't suffered a setback to this point, but it doesn't appear he'll be rejoining Detroit's rotation in the immediate future.

Double-A Montgomery placed Nichols on its 7-day injured list April 7 due to an unspecified injury.

Nichols struck out five over five innings of one-run ball in his 2026 debut April 3 but was shut down shortly thereafter and remains without a clear timeline to return to the mound. The 23-year-old righty split time between Montgomery and High-A Bowling Green in 2025, logging a 2.90 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 156:30 K:BB in 133.2 innings.

The Astros designated Roa for assignment Tuesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Daniel Johnson. Roa holds a 5.19 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 6:7 K:BB across 8.2 innings at the major-league level this season and has a good chance of passing through waivers.

Crawford has been diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow following an MRI, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Crawford had to be pulled off his rehab assignment when he developed soreness in his pitching arm during his first rehab outing. He has managed to avoid structural damage, however, and hopes to resume throwing "soon" after a brief shutdown period. Crawford hasn't pitched at the major-league level since 2024 because of injury.