MLB Player News

Holmes earned a save against the Orioles on Wednesday, tossing two scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and struck out one.

Aroldis Chapman has been shaky of late and had pitched three of the past four days, so the Yankees opted not to go to him with a one-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning. Instead, manager Aaron Boone stuck with Holmes, who had thrown just eight pitches in a scoreless eighth frame. The right-hander had no trouble closing out the contest, retiring the side in order. Despite his recent struggles, Chapman hasn't blown a save this season and isn't likely to be demoted from the closer role just yet, but Holmes would be among the top candidates to step in if that decision were to be made down the road.

Winder isn't expected to start against the Royals this weekend, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The right-hander surprisingly covered 3.2 frames as a long reliever Tuesday, and he won't be rejoining Minnesota's starting rotation this weekend, with Devin Smeltzer, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober (groin) expected to take the mound. Winder had a 1.61 ERA over his first five outings but has given up nine runs (eight earned) over seven frames in his last two appearances, and it appears he may now be ticketed for bullpen work.

Smeltzer is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Royals, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 26-year-old was called up for a spot start last Saturday and will receive another turn through the rotation after giving up one run on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Smeltzer and Josh Winder are in competition for the No. 6 spot in the rotation -- assuming the Twins continue to use six starters -- with Chris Paddack (elbow) out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday.

Valdez was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Valdez's contract was selected by the Angels on Tuesday, and he allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in a relief inning against the Rangers. He'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster after Jose Suarez was called up Wednesday.

King earned a hold against the Orioles on Tuesday, pitching three perfect innings during which he struck out six batters.

Starter Jameson Taillon was lifted after giving up a leadoff double in the sixth inning, and King promptly snuffed out the threat by striking out the next three batters. The righty reliever went two more frames, setting down the side in order in each and collecting three more punchouts. King has been a force as a full-time reliever this season, recording a 1.40 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 37:4 K:BB over 25.2 innings.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Romano (illness) is recovering from a gastrointestinal infection but isn't expected to require a stint on the 15-day injured list, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Romano hasn't appeared out of the bullpen since Saturday on account of the illness, which he's been treating with antibiotics. Though the Blue Jays are labeling Romano as day-to-day and believe he'll avoid the IL, the 28-year-old doesn't sound like he'll be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Mariners. Adam Cimber has secured saves on back-to-back days while Romano was on the mend, but the Blue Jays could go in a different direction if a save situation arises Wednesday.

Cisnero (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing off a mound Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cisnero has been on the shelf all season after he was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain late in spring training. The right-hander has resumed throwing off flat ground in recent weeks, but he looks like he'll soon be able to move on to the next phase of his rehab program by throwing bullpen sessions. Since he currently resides on the 60-day injured list, Cisnero isn't eligible to make his 2022 debut for the Tigers until at least early June.

The Athletics optioned Logue to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Logue's next turn in the rotation was scheduled to come up Sunday against the Angels in Los Angeles, but the Athletics are expected to replace him with Cole Irvin (shoulder), who should be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to take the hill that day after covering five innings Tuesday in his rehab start at Single-A Stockton. Over his four outings (three starts) with Oakland this season, Logue has turned in a 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings.

Snider allowed a run on three hits in one inning, earning a hold in a 2-1 win over the White Sox in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

Snider hasn't been efficient lately, allowing five runs over his last five innings, but he's managed to pick up three holds and only one blown save in that stretch. The right-hander has allowed just one home run in 15 innings this season while posting a 4.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 12:6 K:BB, six holds and a 2-1 record through 17 appearances. He'll likely continue to see some high-leverage work, but Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont have shared the closing duties almost exclusively this year.

Leclerc (elbow) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week and could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list by late June, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc is currently wrapping up his rehab from March 2021 Tommy John surgery at the Rangers' spring training complex in Arizona. He's been pitching in extended spring training games for nearly a week and tossed a scoreless inning in his most recent appearance Tuesday. Though he previously served as a closer for Texas during portions of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Leclerc will likely have to settle for a setup role out of the bullpen whenever he's cleared to return from the 60-day injured list.