MLB Player News

Early (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the Orioles, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.

Early held the Orioles scoreless through his first four frames, ultimately completing a season-high 6.2 innings en route to his second win and quality start this season. The 24-year-old Early has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in five of his six outings. His ERA sits at 2.84 with a 1.20 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB over 31.2 innings. Early is currently scheduled to face the Astros at home his next time out.

Simpson went 3-for-4 with a steal and a run scored during the Rays' 4-2 win over the Twins on Sunday.

Simpson collected his ninth steal of the season in the third before coming home two batters later on a two-run double from Jonathan Aranda. Simpson is now tied for the third-most steals in the majors behind Jose Caballero and Jose Ramirez (11 each). Simpson has reached base safely in nine consecutive games, and over that span he has gone 10-for-37 (.270) with three walks and two RBI, though all 10 of those hits were singles.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run during the Rays' 4-2 win over the Twins on Sunday.

The Rays did all of their scoring damage off Simeon Woods Richardson in the fourth, with Diaz's two-run shot serving as the exclamation point in the frame. It was Diaz's fourth home run of the season and first since April 10 against the Yankees. The veteran slugger is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, slashing .337/.425/.500 with 20 RBI and 16 runs scored across 120 plate appearances.

Leiter (ankle) is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Yankees.

The right-hander suffered an ankle injury during his previous start against the Pirates on Wednesday, but he's ready to go for his next turn through the rotation. After giving up just three earned runs across his first two starts of the campaign, Leiter has labored to a 6.91 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB over his past three outings.

Estevez (foot) threw a two-up bullpen Saturday and is going to Arizona to face hitters Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez has been shelved since April 1 due to a left foot contusion and has progressed slowly in recovery, though he is now making strides on the mound. In his lone outing of 2026, the right-hander blew a save, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks while recording just one out against Atlanta on March 28. Manager Matt Quatraro did not provide a specific figure but noted Estevez's fastball was in the 90-plus mph range, a detail worth monitoring after his velocity dipped during spring training and in his one regular-season appearance following a 95.9 mph average last season. Depending on how Tuesday's session goes, the 33-year-old could begin a rehab assignment in the near future. Lucas Erceg has handled closing duties in Estevez's absence, converting six of eight save opportunities with a 5.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.

Baker logged his sixth save of the season Sunday in the Rays' 4-2 win over the Twins, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Baker got two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to ground out, and sandwiched between was a punchout of Royce Lewis. Baker has logged saves in back-to-back outings and is up to six on the season, which is tied for second most in the American League behind David Bednar (seven). Baker has a 3.48 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB across 10.1 innings this season.

Scholtens (2-1) earned the win against the Twins on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one batter across 4.1 innings.

Griffin Jax served as the Rays' opener for Sunday's game, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings before handing the reins over to Scholtens. The latter kept the Twins off the board from the third to the sixth inning before yielding a two-run home run to Brooks Lee, but those were the only runs that Scholtens and the rest of the Rays' pitching staff yielded in the win. Scholtens now sits at a 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 19.2 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Giants next weekend, though it's unclear whether he'll get the start or follow Jax.

Jax did not factor into the decision in Sunday's game against the Twins. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across 2.1 innings.

Jax was effective as the Rays' opener in Sunday's series finale, tossing 20 strikes on 31 pitches (64.5 percent) while generating seven whiffs to set up Jesse Scholtens, the latter of whom was credited with the win. Jax now sits at a 6.35 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB across 11.1 innings this season. Scholtens is tentatively slated to pitch next weekend at home against the Giants, and it's possible the Jax opens that game as well.

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

The 27-year-old is joining the MLB roster to serve as the backup catcher with Logan O'Hoppe (wrist) landing on the injured list. Rivero will likely see sporadic playing time behind fill-in starter Travis d'Arnaud.

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.