MLB Player News

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins announced Friday that Varland will be part of Toronto's closer committee with Jeff Hoffman being demoted as the club's primary closer, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Hoffman, who recorded 37 saves during the 2025 regular season, could still get some usage in the ninth inning, but Varland now appears to be the favorite for saves in Toronto. The right-hander's fantasy upside is still likely to be more limited than a traditional closer, however, with the Blue Jays expected to mix in other relievers for saves in addition to Varland and Hoffman. That being said, Varland has yet to allow an earned run and has a 19:3 K:BB across 13 innings this season, so he could take full reins of the job if he continues that level of dominance.

GM Ross Atkins announced Friday that Hoffman could still see occasional save chances but will no longer be the primary closer as the Blue Jays shift to a committee approach, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manager John Schneider was noncommittal about Hoffman as Toronto's closer earlier this week after the reliever near blew his fourth save of the season, so it's not a major surprise the club is making a change. It doesn't appear to be a full demotion for the 33-year-old right-hander, who recorded 33 saves with a 4.37 ERA during the 2025 regular season, but it also wouldn't be surprising for him to get some work in lower-leverage spots. Hoffman has surrendered nine earned runs with a 24:6 K:BB across 10.2 innings this year. Louis Varland was the only other player mentioned as a potential closer, but the Blue Jays are also expected to utilize some other arms for the ninth inning.

Anthony (back) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The 21-year-old outfielder will sit for a third straight game Friday due to upper-back tightness, which first surfaced on a swing during Tuesday's loss to the Yankees. According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Anthony is showing improvement and could see the field at some point this weekend in Baltimore.

The Orioles optioned Espada to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Espada spent 48 hours with the big club but didn't get into any game action. The 29-year-old has a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB across 10 innings with Norfolk this season.

The Orioles optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

With Tyler O'Neill back from his concussion, Rodriguez will head back to the minors. Rodriguez saw 11 plate appearances with Baltimore, going 0-for-7 with three walks and one RBI.

The Orioles activated Kittredge (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Kittredge was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation in early March and has yet to make his 2026 season debut. He pitched in six games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, registering an ugly 15.19 ERA, 2.81 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB across 5.1 innings. Kittredge figures to work in a setup role for Baltimore.

The Orioles activated O'Neill (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Friday.

O'Neill hasn't played since April 8, as he initially missed time with an illness before fainting from dehydration and suffering a concussion. Prior to his time on the injured list, O'Neill slashed .241/.353/.345 with one home run, four RBI, six runs scored and a 3:6 BB:K across 34 plate appearances. Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras have been seeing more playing time with O'Neill idle.

Brown (shoulder) began a throwing program Tuesday, playing catching from 75 feet, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's a significant step in Brown's rehab from a shoulder strain. Sidelined since throwing six innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts against the Red Sox on March 31, Brown is expected to be sidelined through late May, according to GM Dana Brown. Once he builds his arm back up, Brown will likely require a multi-start rehab assignment.

The Mariners acquired Cummings from the Rays on Friday in exchange for Casey Legumina, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cummings was a seventh-round pick by Seattle in 2023 and was sent to Tampa Bay as part of the Randy Arozarena trade in 2024. Cummings pitched at three different levels of the minors last season, logging a 3.29 ERA and 6.7 K/9 across 123 innings.

The Rays acquired Legumina from the Mariners on Friday in exchange for Ty Cummings, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Legumina was designated for assignment by Seattle earlier this week after posting a 4.63 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 11.2 innings out of the Mariners' bullpen. The right-hander owns a career 5.83 ERA spanning 83.1 innings.