MLB Player News

Smith (2-0) earned the win in Tuesday's 2-1 victory versus the Royals, striking out two during a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1 and quickly retired the side on just 10 pitches (seven strikes). The Cleveland offense then came alive in the bottom of the frame with a walk and two singles to walk off the Royals, providing Smith with the victory. The clean outing was desperately needed for Smith, who has now held the opposition scoreless in just three of his first seven outings this season. The 26-year-old's job security as Cleveland's closer appears stable for now, but that could change if he's unable to build on Tuesday's strong showing.

Double-A Arkansas placed Perez on the 7-day injured list April 2 with a forearm strain, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.

The 26-year-old righty logged a 4.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 56.1 innings at Double-A in 2025.

Cameron did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing one run on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Cameron was unable to finish out the quality start but limited Cleveland to a single run while giving up just one extra-base hit. The left-hander has now surrendered just one run in each of his first two starts of the season, and his 10:2 K:BB over 10.2 frames is also encouraging. A matchup with the White Sox this weekend should provide a solid chance for Cameron to build on his strong start to 2026.

McGraw is working his way back from right elbow issues, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.

McGraw's inability to stay healthy has defined his pro career thus far. Selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, McGraw has thrown just 37 innings in pro ball due to consistent elbow injuries -- he had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and internal brace in 2023.

Williams did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit and five walks over 5.2 innings in a 2-1 win over the Royals. He struck out eight.

The right-hander continues to showcase his strikeout stuff to open 2026 and now has at least seven strikeouts in each of his first three starts, but he's also issued at least three walks in each outing. Williams has surrendered just five total hits, and as a result, he's successfully walked the tightrope thus far with a 2.04 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Fourteen walks through 19.2 frames to begin the season is hardly sustainable, however, so Williams will likely need to button up his command a bit in order to maintain his effectiveness.

Hugus recently had Tommy John surgery after injuring his elbow in spring training, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.

Per Mayo, Seattle was excited about how Hugus looked early in camp before he blew out his right elbow. Hugus was selected with the 91st pick in last year's draft and will have to wait until 2027 for his pro debut.

Sweeney felt discomfort in his right shoulder again Tuesday and is undergoing re-evaluation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sweeney resides on the 10-day injured list after starting the season there due to suffering a right shoulder strain at the start of camp. While it seems he was making progress, it appears a setback may have occurred with the discomfort reappearing.

Manager Skip Schumaker said that Jung, who is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, is "a little banged up," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's unclear when the issue first surfaced for Jung, but he finds himself on the bench Tuesday for the second time in the Rangers' past three games. The 28-year-old is expected to be available off the bench, so it appears the unspecified injury isn't a serious concern.

Horn (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Single-A Lakeland, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Horn missed the entirety of spring training while working his way back from an elbow procedure he underwent in the offseason, so he'll likely require an extended stay in the minors before coming off the injured list. Once healthy, the 28-year-old may take a middle-relief role with the big club after posting a 1.59 ERA over 11.1 frames with the Tigers last season.

DeGrom underwent an MRI on his right knee Tuesday, the results of which could be known by the end of the night, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander felt something in the knee prior to Monday's start against the Mariners and was lifted after giving up one run over five frames when he experienced some tenderness. DeGrom downplayed the injury after the contest, but the team was apparently concerned enough to send him for medical imaging. The 37-year-old's availability for his next turn through the rotation remains up in the air for now.