MLB Player News

Varland struck out three over 1.1 perfect innings Monday to record his third hold of the season in a 5-2 win over the Angels.

The right-hander has been the Blue Jays' best reliever through the first month of the season, producing a 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and dominant 19:3 K:BB through 12.1 innings while allowing just one hit so far on his high-90s four-seamer. Jeff Hoffman righted the ship a bit in Monday's win, striking out the side himself in the ninth while picking up his third save, but the Toronto closer's job security remains low given his three blown saves, 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP. If Hoffman does get removed from the ninth, Varland has positioned himself to be the next man up in save situations.

Bummer retired the only batter he faced Monday to record his third hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.

The southpaw got the final out of the seventh inning after Bryce Elder was lifted following 98 pitches, getting James Wood to ground out with Atlanta ahead 7-4. Bummer already has more holds than he did in either 2025 or 2024, and while his 4.76 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through 5.2 innings look shaky, he's been tagged with runs in only one of his nine appearances. He's become the newest incarnation of a LOOGY, working less than an inning in six of those outings while frequently being called in for the final out or two of an inning against left-handed hitters.

Scott will be part of a closer committee for the Dodgers while Edwin Diaz (elbow) is sidelined, Katie Woo and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic report.

Scott struggled in the first year of a four-year, $72 million contract in 2025, but he's been excellent so far in the second season of the deal while yielding just one run and posting an 8:0 K:BB in 8.2 frames. Alex Vesia has also pitched well and notched two saves last week while Diaz was unavailable. Scott, Vesia and Blake Treinen could all get opportunities to close games, at least until one of them emerges as Roberts' preferred option.

Lux (shoulder/ankle) is expected to resume his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday or Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After opening the season on the injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, Lux kicked off a rehab assignment with Durham on April 2 and slashed .103/.297/.172 with a 27 percent strikeout rate over nine games before being shut down after rolling his left ankle April 11. Lux has apparently made good progress following a week-and-a-half-long layoff and is ready to rejoin the Durham lineup, though he'll likely need to show some improvement at the plate before the Rays are ready to activate him from the IL. Tampa Bay has gotten by with a timeshare of Richie Palacios and Ben Williamson at second base through the first three-plus weeks of the season, but Lux should settle in as the primary option at the position once he's reinstated.

Valera will undergo an MRI on his right elbow after exiting his most recent start for High-A Greenville last Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Valera missed three months last season with right elbow inflammation. The 19-year-old was placed on Greenville's 7-day injured list Friday, and while the Red Sox seem optimistic that he's not dealing with structural damage to his elbow, more will be known once the imaging results are in. Valera boasts a 1.93 ERA and 17:4 K:BB over 9.1 frames so far this season with Greenville.

Suarez is the leading candidate to take over as Atlanta's closer after Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Iglesias has notched five of Atlanta's nine saves on the season, but Suarez has provided value in his setup role, notching a save of his own to go with two wins and four holds along with a 0.93 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings. Though a timeline for Iglesias' return has yet to be established, Suarez is a must-roster player in fantasy leagues while he has a clear path to closing duties. The right-hander has plenty of experience in the role, having converted 76 saves for the Padres over the previous two seasons.

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Dodd picked up a three-inning save in his lone appearance out off the Atlanta bullpen earlier this month. He'll provide the team's relief corps with some length.

Atlanta placed Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation.

Iglesias was unavailable Saturday versus the Phillies after sleeping on his shoulder wrong. He converted a save Sunday but now finds himself on the IL. Iglesias could be back when first eligible May 5 if he's indeed just dealing with inflammation, though Atlanta has not revealed a target date for its closer's return. Robert Suarez will assume closer duties for Atlanta while Iglesias is sidelined.

Morel (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Morel is set to play five innings at first base in what will be his first game action since he went down with a left oblique strain in late March. He'll need a handful of rehab contests before rejoining the Marlins' active roster. Morel was slated to be Miami's primary first baseman before getting hurt.

Tolle had a start skipped at Triple-A Worcester over the weekend as part of a contingency plan for the Red Sox, who may need to call him up for a spot start this week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox didn't need to call up Tolle for their recent four-game set versus the Tigers, but he could be needed as a potential replacement in the rotation for Sonny Gray, who is expected to land on the 15-day injured list after suffering a hamstring injury during his start in Monday's 8-6 win over Detroit. Tolle is the logical candidate to replace Gray, who's next turn through the rotation was set for Saturday in Baltimore.