MLB Player News

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.

The Cubs selected Rios' contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Rios joined Chicago on a minor-league contract in January and will get a look in the majors after posting a 5.06 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB over 10.2 frames with Iowa to begin the season. The right-hander last pitched in the majors in 2023 and has a 6.23 ERA in 92 career MLB appearances.

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.

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.

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.

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 Diamondbacks selected Valdez's contract from Double-A Amarillo and appointed him the 27th man for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The two clubs get a 27th man for the Mexico City Series this weekend, which will allow Valdez to get his first taste of the big leagues. The 28-year-old had an .853 OPS in 23 games with Amarillo last year but struggled to a .634 OPS when up with Triple-A Reno.