MLB Player News

Okert (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Okert has now turned in 17 straight scoreless innings, posting a stellar 0.65 WHIP with 17:4 K:BB in that span. The veteran left-hander has been excellent in the back half of Houston's bullpen this season, posting a 2.35 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP while leading the team with nine holds.

Alvarado (3-3) allowed two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Giants.

Alvarado gave up ninth-inning solo shots to Rafael Devers and Victor Bericoto. This was Alvarado's first blown save of the season, though he's also 11 days removed from his last converted save. He's allowed five runs over 5.1 innings in his last four appearances, including four homers. Overall, Alvarado has a 6.20 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 20.1 innings with two saves and four holds. If his struggles persist, he could pitch his way out of the high-leverage role he earned earlier in June.

Bednar secured the save Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

Detroit brought the possible tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, but Bednar shut down any potential rally by retiring Dillon Dingler for the game's final out. The 31-year-old right-hander had a 5.14 ERA for the season as of May 18, but a scoreless streak of 12 innings since then has brought his ERA down to 3.27. Bednar also has a 1.27 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB over 33 innings while successfully converting 16 of his 18 save opportunities.

Wells picked up a hold Wednesday against the Angels, allowing one hit and one walk in 1.1 scoreless relief innings. He struck out four.

Wells remains a strong source of holds in fantasy leagues that record them, collecting 10 on the season so far. The right-hander has been an effective multi-inning weapon out of Baltimore's bullpen in 2026, logging a 3.25 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB over 36 innings. His 27 appearances are already the most he's made in a season since his rookie campaign in 2021, though it's worth noting that he was working as a starter and/or injured for the past four seasons.

Hader earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing no hits and one walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hader was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a one-out walk to close things out. In 10 appearances since returning from the injured list June 3, the 32-year-old has converted all six of his save opportunities while posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.40 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB across 10 innings. After missing the first couple months of the season due to a bicep injury, Hader has quickly reminded everyone that he's one of the top closers in MLB.

Legumina will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Thursday against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Legumina has given up two earned runs across his last two outings, but the Rays will trust him to handle the beginning of Thursday's series finale nonetheless. The 29-year-old was able to record five outs before being pulled during his last opening assignment, and he'll presumably remain in the game Thursday for a similar amount of time before turning the ball over to bulk reliever Ian Seymour.

Baker earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Royals, allowing a run on one hit while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Baker gave up a solo home run to Josh Rojas with one out in the ninth that cut Tampa Bay's lead to two, but the right-hander rebounded to set down the next two Royals and pick up his 20th save this season. The homer marked the first run that Baker has given up in his last 13 innings. He's been excellent overall this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 0.89 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Jax (3-5) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

It was a strong outing for Jax, as he set a season high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has been excellent of late, allowing just two earned runs across 20 innings in his last four starts while posting a 21:4 K:BB. Since moving into Tampa's rotation, Jax has posted a 2.27 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 11 starts (43.2 innings). He's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Royals on the road his next time out.

The Astros optioned VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

VanWey allowed two runs (one earned) over three innings in a pair of relief appearances the last two days, so the Astros are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm. Left-hander Colton Gordon was called up from Sugar Land to take VanWey's spot on the active roster.

Estevez (shoulder) threw a bullpen Sunday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion before suffering a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab assignment May 6. The veteran has steadily progressed in his recovery, and the move to bullpen sessions represents a positive step forward. If the right-hander comes out of Wednesday's session without any issues, he could quickly progress to facing live hitters.