MLB Player News

Dollander is starting Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Dollander has been effective pitching behind an opener early this season, but he'll make his first start of the campaign to close out Sunday's doubleheader. After posting a 6.52 ERA in 21 starts as a rookie last year, the right-hander has showcased his potential across his first six outings of 2026 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB over 25 innings.

The Cubs designated Velasquez for assignment Sunday.

The veteran right-hander was added to the big-league roster Friday but won't retain his roster spot despite firing 2.1 scoreless frames Saturday versus the Dodgers. Velasquez will now go through the waiver process, after which he could elect to become a free agent, assuming he goes unclaimed.

The Cubs recalled Barnes from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

The left-hander was demoted nearly two weeks ago but is now back in the majors with Riley Martin (elbow) heading to the injured list. Barnes allowed three runs on four hits with one strikeout and three walks over three innings during his lone big-league appearance this year.

The Angels selected Lucchesi's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The left-hander re-signed with the Halos after being designated for assignment and electing free agency in early May, and he'll now get another chance in the majors. Lucchesi allowed two earned runs with a 2:4 K:BB in his first three outings of the year for the Angels. He had a 3.76 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 38.1 innings with the Giants in 2025.

The Angels recalled Fermin from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The right-hander was unable to earn a place on the Halos' Opening Day roster but will now get a look a month into the season. Fermin had a 4.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 39:23 K:BB across 34.1 big-league innings last year, and he's given up four earned runs with a 16:9 K:BB over 11 frames to begin the season with Salt Lake.

The Rockies recalled Castano from Triple-A Albuquerque to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Castano was claimed off waivers from Seattle on Tuesday and will now receive his first look in the majors with his new organization. The right-hander has allowed one earned run over 7.1 innings at Triple-A between Albuquerque and Tacoma.

Imai (arm) is slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Imai landed on the IL due to right arm fatigue April 13. Imaging came back clean, and the Japanese hurler has been building up his workload since, which included him tossing 45 pitches in a bullpen session Friday. Imai will now progress to game action with Corpus Christi and appears to be on track to rejoin the Astros in the first half of May.

Tampa Bay optioned Martin to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Martin got his first call-up to the majors Monday and logged three appearances with the big-league club, allowing three earned runs on six hits while posting a 4:1 K:BB over 4.1 innings. He's headed back to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Casey Legumina, who the Rays acquired in a trade with Seattle on Friday.

Miller (oblique) struck out six and gave up one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings Friday in a rehab start with High-A Everett.

After recording just five outs on 33 pitches in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Tacoma on April 18, Miller moved down a couple levels for his second minor-league start and delivered a much more efficient performance. During Friday's outing, he spotted 35 of his 47 pitches for strikes and induced eight swings and misses while sporting a fastball that sat between 96 and 98 miles per hour. Per MLB.com, Miller is tentatively trending toward a return from the 15-day injured list May 17, which suggests he'll need three more rehab starts prior to being activated. The right-hander has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a left oblique strain.

Rea (3-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings.

Rea got through two scoreless frames before giving up a two-run homer to Max Muncy in the third inning. Things went even further south for the righty in the fourth -- he retired the first hitter he faced, then allowed four straight batters to reach base, all of whom eventually came around to score (two after his departure). Rea hurt himself by issuing four free passes in the loss after handing out no more than two walks in any of his first five outings. He came into Saturday on a three-game win streak and having given up no more than three earned runs across any of his first five appearances, so he'll look to return to that form in what's projected to be a home start against Arizona next week.