MLB Player News

Soto worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

Soto started the top of the ninth inning by walking Jorge Soler but then quickly settled down and retired the next three Kansas City hitters. The lefty has four saves in four chances this season to go with a solid 2.87 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 15.2 innings. He should remain a serviceable fantasy asset, though the 12-24 Tigers aren't likely to give him too many save opportunities moving forward.

Pitching coach Scott Emerson said Puk (biceps) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and will need "a couple more outings" before returning from the injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old threw 20 pitches and recorded three strikeouts over a scoreless frame in his first rehab appearance Tuesday with the Aviators. Puk landed on the injured list after covering 3.1 innings during his season debut April 5, and he could return sometime next week if all goes well on the rehab stint.

Smeltzer (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 25-year-old was promoted from Triple-A last Thursday and will land on the injured list without appearing in a game during the current stint in the majors. It's unclear how long Smeltzer is expected to be sidelined.

Armstrong allowed two hits and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Mets.

Armstrong relieved starter Matt Harvey with one out in the fifth inning. Armstrong allowed two inherited runners to score, but he avoided any damage on his own line. The 30-year-old right-hander has struggled to a 10.13 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB across 10.2 innings this year. Until he can string together better outings, Armstrong will likely remain in low-leverage situations.

Bazardo was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

The right-hander made his big-league debut April 14 during a doubleheader against the Twins while serving as the Red Sox's extra player, and he was sent down following the twin bill. Bazardo should work in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Pivetta was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday while experiencing side effects from the vaccine.

The 28-year-old picked up the win Sunday against the Orioles with a quality start and apparently received the vaccine in the past couple days. Pivetta lined up to start Friday against the Angels, and he could still return from the COVID IL to pitch if he's feeling better.

Karinchak (1-0) pitched a scoreless 10th inning with one walk and two strikeouts to earn the extra-inning win Wednesday versus the Cubs.

Karinchak kept the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the 10th, and Amed Rosario's walkoff single in the bottom half of the frame secured Cleveland's win. The 25-year-old Karinchak remains an effective option in the late innings with a 0.52 ERA, 0.46 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings this season. He's gone 3-for-4 in save chances and also owns five holds in 18 appearances.

Hentges allowed four hits and four walks over 4.2 scoreless innings while striking out six in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Hentges made his first major-league start Wednesday, and it went reasonably well. He threw 46 of his 84 pitches for strikes and none of his mistakes ended up on the scoreboard. The southpaw owns a 3.29 ERA through 13.2 innings, although his 1.76 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB are a cause for concern. The 24-year-old tentatively lines up for his next start versus the Angels next week.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Merryweather (oblique) has resumed playing catch off flat ground, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

While the news represents a tangible sign of progress for Merryweather, he's still only in the initial phase of a throwing progression that will likely span multiple weeks. He'll still need to throw multiple bullpen sessions, face hitters in live batting practice and complete a minor-league rehab assignment before Toronto is comfortable bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. Merryweather shouldn't be expected to return from the IL until early-to-mid-June at the soonest.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Hatch (elbow) would throw a simulated game Thursday consisting of about 2-to-3 innings, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Hatch is ready to move on to the next phase of his rehab from a right elbow impingement, which has sidelined him since late in spring training. Due to his extended shutdown, Hatch will likely throw at least one more simulated game after Thursday's before the Blue Jays send him out for a minor-league rehab assignment. Hatch is unlikely to be activated from the 60-day injured list before the end of May.