MLB Player News

The Royals activated Kolek from the family medical emergency list Tuesday.

Kolek was away from the club for a few days while tending to a personal matter, but he's back in time to start Tuesday's contest at home versus the Rangers. The right-hander has logged a 3.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 38 innings covering six starts for Kansas City this season.

Toronto activated Cease (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After landing on the IL with a strained hamstring May 25, Cease will rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation having made one rehab start at Triple-A. Before landing on the IL, the 30-year-old recorded a 3.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 92:26 K:BB in 62 innings. Toronto will send down Adam Macko to Triple-A Buffalo in order to make room for Cease on the active roster.

Bucknam will miss all of 2026 and some of 2027 recovering from elbow surgery, Geoff Pontes of Baseball America reports.

The Jays' fourth-round selection in last year's draft, Bucknam will have to wait until at least next summer to make his pro debut.

The White Sox optioned Sandlin to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Sandlin was terrific in his major-league debut last month versus the Twins with six innings of one-run ball, but he yielded 11 runs over 7.1 innings in two appearances since then. His turn as a starting pitcher/bulk reliever will come up this weekend against the Dodgers, and the White Sox have not announced how they plan to fill that vacancy.

Kolek (personal) is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Rangers in Kansas City.

Kansas City placed Kolek on the family medical emergency leave list Thursday, but the right-hander looks set to rejoin the Royals for the start of their series with the Rangers and won't have to miss a turn through the rotation. The Royals will make his activation official shortly before Tuesday's 7:40 p.m. ET start time.

High-A Bowling Green placed Brito on its 7-day injured list May 23 due to an unspecified issue.

Brito, a 21-year-old righty, had submitted a 3.34 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 42:21 K:BB in 32.1 innings over his first eight starts with Bowling Green before landing on the shelf.

Hurd (elbow) has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits and five walks while striking out six batters across seven innings since being activated from Single-A Tampa's 7-day injured list May 26.

The No. 89 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Hurd didn't make his professional debut until just over a month ago after completing his recovery from February 2025 Tommy John surgery. The 23-year-old righty was sharp over three rehab appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League (1.59 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB in 11.1 innings), but he was roughed up for 10 runs in just 2.1 innings in his first start for Tampa. Hurd bounced back nicely his last time out for Tampa, however, striking out four and permitting one unearned run across 4.2 frames.

Bieber (elbow) is scheduled to make the fourth start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Buffalo, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After pitching for three different affiliates during his first three rehab outings, Bieber will stick around with Buffalo for a second consecutive appearance. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Bieber could push up to the 70-75-pitch range Thursday, which would put him in consideration for a 2026 MLB debut as soon as next week. However, the right-hander may realistically need another rehab appearance or two beyond Thursday, given the uneven results he's had as he works his way back from inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow. While Bieber has posted a strong 8:0 K:BB in seven innings during his time in the minors, he's been knocked around for eight earned runs on 15 hits.

Springs did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out three.

Springs was able to grind through five innings, but they weren't particularly effective, as he allowed plenty of traffic and surrendered a pair of homers. After not allowing a homer in any of his first four starts of the campaign, the southpaw has been plagued by the gopher ball, allowing at least one ball to leave the yard in nine of his past 10 outings. The 33-year-old will take a 3-6 record with a 4.68 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 63:23 K:BB across 75 innings (14 starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Rockies.

Rodriguez allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Rodriguez was pummeled in his previous start, giving up eight runs (seven earned) over 3.2 innings against Colorado. It was thus promising to see the right-hander respond with a much better performance Monday, as he racked up a season-high six punchouts while giving up an acceptable two earned runs. Rodriguez took a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning, but he appeared to run out of steam in that frame, as he gave up three doubles and two runs before departing with one out. Two very poor outings through five starts have Rodriguez at an ugly 8.10 ERA on the campaign, but he'll try to build some positive momentum in his next appearance, which is lined up to be a home matchup against Tampa Bay.