MLB Player News

The Mariners optioned Bukauskas to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Bukauskas' stint in the majors lasted one day, and he was knocked around for two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over an inning of relief Sunday in Cleveland. Seattle called up Jose Rodriguez from Tacoma to replace Bukauskas in the bullpen.

The Rangers diagnosed Howard with a right lat strain and transferred him from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of catcher Sandy Leon. Howard was first injured back in early March and now isn't eligible to return until late May.

Holmes earned a save against Baltimore on Sunday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Holmes got the call with the Yankees up two runs heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, and the right-hander made quick work of three Orioles batters, needing just nine pitches (eight of which were strikes) to retire the side in order. After a rough first appearance this season during which he allowed two runs over two-thirds of an inning, Holmes has settled in with four consecutive scoreless appearances during which he has allowed just one hit and posted a 7:1 K:BB over four frames. Though manager Aaron Boone suggested during spring camp that he could envision "a number of guys" closing games for the team this year, Holmes has thus far earned all three of the Yankees' saves.

Yarbrough (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one over 1.1 innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Giants.

Yarbrough relieved Carlos Hernandez to get the last out of the seventh inning. Yarbrough stayed in for the eighth, but it unraveled on him quickly with a Wilmer Flores RBI double and a two-run home run from Michael Conforto. Through four appearances, Yarbrough has surrendered five runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He has a blown save and a hold. As long as the southpaw is a reliever, he won't have much fantasy appeal, especially since he lacks swing-and-miss stuff.

Herrin (1-0) retired the only batter he faced and earned the win in Sunday's extra-innings victory over the Mariners.

Herrin got Jarred Kelenic on a groundout to end the top of the 12th inning, and the Guardians won in their half of the frame. Aside from a sloppy outing Wednesday versus the Athletics, Herrin has been solid in a low-leverage relief role. He has a 9:3 K:BB while allowing just two hits over 4.2 innings, though one of those hits was a home run.

The White Sox outrighted Stiever to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Though Chicago didn't previously announce that Stiever was designated for assignment, he was apparently moved off the 40-man roster and will now stick around in the organization upon clearing waivers. Once one of the White Sox's more promising starting pitching prospects, Stiever has covered just 85.1 innings between the majors and Triple-A since the start of the 2020 season while missing considerable time due to a lat injury.

The White Sox placed Kelly on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right groin strain.

Chicago called up Keynan Middleton from Triple-A Charlotte to fill Kelly's spot in the bullpen. Kelly had taken a loss, gathered a hold and given up three earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three across 2.2 innings in his three relief appearances on the season before the groin injury cropped up.

Murfee (1-2) was charged with the loss in extra innings against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two walks over one-third of an inning.

Murfee entered with a 6-5 lead in the 12th inning, and after intentionally walking Jose Ramirez, the reliever advanced inning-opening runner Amed Rosario to third on an error during a pickoff attempt. That helped set up RBI groundouts by Josh Naylor and Josh Bell that allowed the tying and winning runs to cross the plate. Murfee has already logged seven appearances in the new season, and Sunday's earned run was the first he'd allowed over five innings.

Guardians manager Terry Francona said April 4 that Morris (shoulder) has resumed throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

While it's encouraging that Morris is making his way through a throwing progression again after he was shut down for most of spring training with a right teres major strain, the Guardians are expected to bring him along slowly after shoulder trouble previously cost him large chunks of the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Despite Morris' health concerns, he's still expected to be built up as a starter, so he could be a name to keep an eye on once he reaches the point in his recovery program that he's making minor-league rehab starts and is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list in late May. The Guardians' current back-end rotation options are Zach Plesac and Hunter Gaddis, and when healthy, Morris could be viewed as an upgrade if he fares well during his rehab outings.

Guardians manager Terry Francona said April 4 that Hentges (shoulder) had progressed to throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Assuming Hentges experienced no setbacks with his left shoulder while getting back on the mound this past week, he could advance to facing hitters during the upcoming week before heading out on what will likely be a brief minor-league rehab assignment. Hentges, who compiled a 2.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 72:19 K:BB in 62 innings in 2022, should factor into the setup mix in front of closer Emmanuel Clase once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.