MLB Player News

Lambert (1-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The 29-year-old right-hander fanned eight batters for a second straight start since being called up to plug a hole in the Astros' injury-ravaged rotation. Lambert racked up 32 called or swinging strikes among his 96 pitches (61 total strikes) Wednesday, and the former Rockie seems to be enjoying pitching at sea level on a consistent basis. After producing a 1.84 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 14.2 innings for Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season, Lambert's given Houston a 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over his first 11 big-league frames. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Baltimore.

Martinez (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over eight innings in a 6-1 victory over Cincinnati. He struck out six.

Facing the team he spent the last two seasons with in a swingman role, Martinez made a very strong statement about his ability to be a regular member of a big-league rotation. The veteran right-hander fired 71 strikes among his 95 pitches over a career-best eight frames, and Martinez now has three quality starts among his first five trips to the mound for the Rays. He'll take a 2.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB through 30 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Cleveland.

The Tigers selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Smith was off to a terrific start with Toledo, yielding two runs with a 16:0 K:BB over 10 innings. The 36-year-old will give the Tigers a fresh bullpen arm and will be making his first major-league appearance since 2024 when/if he gets into a game.

The Tigers optioned De Jesus to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

De Jesus was hammered for seven runs (five earned) while throwing 49 pitches over 1.1 innings during an ugly relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. He will be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by right-hander Burch Smith, whose contract was selected from Triple-A.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not commit to Hoffman as his closer when asked Wednesday if he would consider using other relievers in the ninth inning, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Schneider said he's "not ready to make a firm comment" on the closer role, noting that he wants to have a discussion with Hoffman before announcing a decision. Hoffman was pulled from a save chance Tuesday versus the Angels with the bases loaded and one run already in. He was relieved by Louis Varland, who closed things out by inducing a game-ending double-play ball on the one and only pitch he threw. Hoffman has struck out 24 in 10.2 innings this season, but he's walked six, blown three saves and posted a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. If Schneider does opt for a change at closer, Varland should be next in line.

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Anderson will cede his spot in the Boston bullpen to left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was summoned from Triple-A and will provide the Red Sox with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings. During his first stint in the majors, Anderson appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Anderson will likely re-enter the rotation once he returns to Worcester.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Espada will provide reinforcement to an Orioles bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Helsley (personal), who was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday in a corresponding move. Though he's unlikely to enter the mix for save chances while Helsley is away from the team, Espada will provide the Orioles with a fresh arm in middle relief. Espada has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB in 10 innings with Norfolk this season.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Wednesday.

Per MLB rules, Helsley will be away from the Orioles for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days after going on bereavement leave. After signing a two-year deal with Baltimore over the winter, Helsley has gotten off to a respectable start to the season as the team's closer, converting all six of his save chances while pitching to a 2.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Rico Garcia (0.75 ERA, 0.42 WHIP in 12 innings) and Yennier Cano (1.23 ERA, 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings) have been the Orioles' top-performing setup arms this season and could be the top choices for save chances while Helsley is deactivated.

The Yankees recalled Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

He's grabbing the roster spot vacated by Ryan Weathers, who was placed on the paternity list. Bird has given up six runs over seven innings at the big-league level this season, though that's come with a 9:1 K:BB. He will likely be sent back down later this week when Weathers returns.

De Los Santos (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.

Tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the eighth inning, De Los Santos allowed three of the four batters he faced to reach safely, opening the door for Cleveland's six-run frame. Prior to Tuesday, De Los Santos had given up just one run across 7.2 innings in his first seven appearances this season while seeing closing opportunities in the absence of Josh Hader (biceps).