MLB Player News

Lambert (ankle) was sent to Triple-A Charlotte on a rehab assignment Wednesday.

Lambert has been on the 15-day injured list since May 29 and will now likely make multiple appearances with Charlotte before potentially returning to the big leagues. The right-hander is eligible to return June 13.

The Athletics announced Wednesday that Jackson (elbow) could begin a throwing program next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Jackson has spent the past two and a half weeks resting after he landed on the 15-day injured list May 19 with a right flexor tendon strain. Because he had been serving largely as a one-inning reliever prior to being shut down, Jackson won't required an extensive ramp-up period, though he still looks unlikely to make it back from the IL until at least late June even if he experiences no further setbacks once he starts throwing again.

Holton allowed two hits while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Phillies.

Horton has been solid of late for the Tigers, pitching to a 1.76 ERA over his last eight appearances (15.1 innings). The rookie left-hander lowered his ERA to 2.32 with a 0.94 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB through 31 innings this season while earning more high-leverage work in Detroit.

Criswell is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Shawn Armstrong in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Armstrong is unlikely to work more than once through the order before turning the game over to the bullpen, with Criswell being the primary candidate to cover multiple innings behind him. Criswell has yet to make a start for the Rays this season but has covered at least 2.1 innings in each of his five appearances with the big club, pitching to a 6.11 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.

Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After being on the shelf all season with a neck issue, Armstrong was activated from the 60-day injured list last weekend and tossed two scoreless frames out of the bullpen in his 2023 MLB debut Sunday in Boston. The Rays may allow Armstrong to work into the third inning while he serves as an opener Wednesday, but right-hander Cooper Criswell is the top candidate to operate as a bulk reliever behind Armstrong and is thus the likelier of the two pitchers to qualify for a win.

Pagan allowed a hit while striking out two over two scoreless innings Tuesday against the Rays.

Pagan has now put together 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight in that span. His ERA is down to 3.76 with a 1.14 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB through 26.1 innings this season. The 32-year-old Pagan was moved out of a high-leverage role after a shaky start to the season, but he looks to be working his way back up the Twins' bullpen hierarchy.

Snead (shoulder) allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning for the Athletics' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday.

Snead had a rough time kicking off his rehab assignment despite the caliber of competition, drawing the start but facing only four batters before getting the hook. The left-hander's outing Tuesday will likely be one of many across multiple minor-league affiliates before he's back on the big-league roster.

Jansen struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Guardians.

After working both ends of Saturday's doubleheader, Jansen was able to get a couple days off before his next appearance and looked refreshed, topping out at 96.7 mph with his cutter while firing nine of 13 pitches for strikes. The veteran closer has been scored upon only once in his last seven games, but his 25.8 percent strikeout rate and 13.5 percent walk rate on the season would be the worst marks of his career if they don't improve.

Munoz (shoulder) struck out two in a perfect inning, earning a hold in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Padres.

Munoz missed the better part of two months with a shoulder strain. He looked great in his return with a fastball that touched just over 100 mph and four whiffs on 16 pitches. Munoz has given up four hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings this season, and his usage Tuesday suggests he could immediately resume a high-leverage role. For now, Paul Sewald is the Mariners' preferred closer, but Munoz certainly has the stuff to potentially eke out his fair share of save chances.

Sewald allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Padres.

Sewald has walked a batter in three straight outings, but he hasn't been charged with a run over his last 5.2 innings. Tuesday's outing was far from efficient, but he was able to convert his 12th save in 13 tries this season. The 33-year-old now has a 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings. With Andres Munoz back from a shoulder injury, Sewald will need to continue pitching well to maintain his place as the Mariners' primary closer. Even then, it's possible this could become a two-man committee over the summer.