MLB Player News
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Goes on IL with foot contusion
The Royals placed Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Estevez suffered a left foot contusion during an appearance Saturday in Atlanta when he was struck by a line drive. The reliever has also been dealing with velocity and delivery issues that have affected his overall effectiveness, and he'll get a chance to get back on track while on the IL and when he presumably goes on a rehab assignment. Estevez will be eligible to be reinstated April 14, but his timetable to return is currently up in the air. Lucas Erceg has stepped in as closer for the Royals and should continue in that role indefinitely.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Angels' Kirby Yates: Throws short bullpen session
Yates (knee) threw an abbreviated bullpen session Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
Yates said afterward that his knee felt healthy but that he still needs to sharpen his stuff before he's ready to pitch in a game. Sidelined by left knee inflammation, Yates is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6. It's unclear whether he'll be back on that date, but if he isn't it shouldn't be long after. Jordan Romano has seized the Angels' closer job for the time being, but Yates could work his way back into that mix.
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Bennett Sousa RP | HOU
Astros' Bennett Sousa: Facing hitters next week
Sousa (oblique) will throw a live batting practice session next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain in his final spring training appearance. He's eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list next week and the Astros have been optimistic that Sousa won't need more than a minimum stay on the IL, so it's possible he skips a rehab assignment.
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Nate Pearson RP | HOU
Astros' Nate Pearson: Faces hitters
Pearson (elbow) has progressed to throwing a live batting practice session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Pearson developed soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow a month ago and has been brought along slowly since then. That he's now facing hitters suggests a rehab assignment could be right around the corner. Pearson signed with the Astros over the offseason with the intent to be a starting pitcher, but his best path to a role right now is as a reliever.
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Cody Ponce RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Cody Ponce: Evaluated Monday for ACL surgery
Ponce will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to determine whether he needs surgery to repair a sprained right ACL, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
Ponce suffered the injury during his first start of the season Monday against the Rockies. He will have an outside chance to return later this season if surgery is not required, but if he does need an operation, he'll be shelved until 2027. In either scenario, Ponce appears safe to drop in most redraft fantasy leagues.
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Ben Bowden RP | ATH
Athletics' Ben Bowden: Makes season debut at Triple-A
Bowden (lat) struck out a batter and allowed one earned run on three hits over an inning of relief Monday in Triple-A Las Vegas' 13-8 loss to Oklahoma City.
After closing out the 2025 season on the Athletics' injured list while recovering from a left lat strain, Bowden re-signed with the franchise on a minor-league deal over the winter but didn't end up appearing in any games during the Cactus League. However, the veteran southpaw was evidently healthy enough to avoid a stint on Las Vegas' injured list to begin the season. He should serve as a key reliever for the Triple-A club while he awaits a potential call-up to the big-league bullpen.
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Cody Bolton RP | HOU
Astros' Cody Bolton: Logs three-inning save
Bolton earned the save in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on three hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out five.
Making his first appearance with the Astros, Bolton earned his first career save, pitching the final three innings in Tuesday's decisive victory. The 27-year-old right-hander made Houston's Opening Day bullpen with numerous pitchers starting the year on the injured list. Bolton has a career ERA of 5.60 with a 1.78 WHIP over 45 innings across four seasons.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Tigers' Kenley Jansen: Blows save Tuesday
Jansen blew the save in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing a run on a hit while striking out one in one-third of an inning.
The veteran right-hander was called upon to preserve the Tigers' one-run lead with runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth inning, but he instead served up a three-run homer to rookie Jose Fernandez. Jansen punched out the next batter he faced to end the frame, but the damage was done. The 38-year-old is now 1-for-2 in save chances to begin the year, and Tuesday's outing isn't likely to affect his job security as Detroit's closer, barring additional struggles.
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Yennier Cano RP | BAL
Orioles' Yennier Cano: Charged with loss Tuesday
Cano (0-1) took the loss Tuesday versus the Rangers, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in the sixth inning.
Cano had given the Orioles a pair of scoreless outing during the club's opening series against the Twins, but he gave up his first run of the season Tuesday. The right-hander pitched fairly well during the spring to make Baltimore's Opening Day bullpen, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6:0 K:BB over seven Grapefruit League innings, but Cano could fall into a lesser role once Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) and Keegan Akin (groin) are ready to return.