MLB Player News

Duran gave up two hits including a home run Wednedsay against the White Sox, but held on to record his third save of the season.

Duran entered the game with a 3-0 lead in the ninth, but gave the White Sox a glimmer of hope after allowing a solo homer to Lenyn Sosa. The 25-year-old closer now improves to 3-for-4 in save chances this season, but he has also allowed two home runs in as many days.

Holmes collected his fourth save of the season Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing zero hits and two walks over one scoreless inning with a strikeout.

After getting hit around in his first appearance of the season against the Giants on April 1, Holmes has now responded by throwing five consecutive shutout innings while earning a save in each of his last four appearances. It's a promising return to form for the 30-year-old closer, who boasts a 2.34 ERA since joining the Yankees in 2021.

Kelly left Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay with an apparent arm injury, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Kelly immediately collapsed to the ground after hitting Yandy Diaz with a pitch. He appeared to be in quite a bit of pain and was grabbing at his arm/elbow. He should be considered day-to-day for now, but early signs don't look promising for the 28-year-old reliever.

The Athletics have named Oller their starting pitcher for Thursday's game in Baltimore, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Oakland will move to a six-man rotation this week, adding Oller to the mix in order for rookie Shintaro Fujinami to continue making Saturday starts as he transitions from Nippon Professional Baseball to the majors. As a rookie last season, Oller made 19 appearances (14 starts) and struggled to a 6.30 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over 74.1 innings. Since Oller covered five innings and 80 pitches in his most recent relief appearance April 7, he should provide Oakland with a decent amount of length in his first start, but he'll still be tough to trust as a streaming option while he's supported by one of MLB's worst lineups.

Ponce de Leon signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Ponce de Leon went unsigned all winter after struggling to a 6.52 ERA in 116 innings (26 starts) last season between the Triple-A affiliates of the Mariners, Nationals and Tigers. The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2021 with the Cardinals. He'll head to Triple-A Charlotte.

The Athletics recalled Smith from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Smith will be the replacement in the bullpen for Domingo Acevedo, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left lower-back strain. He'll likely operate in the middle innings while he's up with Oakland.

Davidson was bypassed for the start in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, with the Angels instead activating Griffin Canning (groin) from the 15-day injured list to have him take the hill, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Davidson opened the season in the bullpen but had been expected to enter the rotation when the Angels first required a sixth starter this week. However, with Canning progressing quicker than expected from the groin issue that forced him to the IL and then building up to five innings in his lone minor-league rehab start last Thursday, the Angels are opting to keep Davidson in the bullpen for the time being as a multi-inning option. The decision to go with Canning over Davidson for the sixth spot in the rotation became an easier one Monday, when Davidson was needed to cover three frames in relief after Jose Suarez lasted just four innings.

The Mariners selected McCaughan's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

McCaughan will provide Seattle with some extra length out of the bullpen in Wednesday's series finale with the Cubs after the Mariners needed three relievers to cover the final 5.2 innings of Tuesday's 14-9 loss. Seattle designated Brennan Bernardino for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for McCaughan.

Bernardino was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Bernardino has struggled in his two appearances with Triple-A Tacoma this season, surrendering eight runs over six innings. With the Mariners selecting the contract of Darren McCaughan on Wednesday, Bernardino was the odd guy out on the 40-man roster. He will now either remain with Tacoma, get claimed by another team or be released outright, the first of which is most likely.

The Mariners optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Rodriguez spent just a day with the Mariners after having his contract selected from Tacoma on Tuesday. The right-hander allowed three runs over the final three innings of a blowout loss to the Cubs. Darren McCaughan has been added to the 40-man roster and called up from the Rainiers in a corresponding move.