MLB Player News

Jansen worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.

After securing just one save through the first 13 games of the season, Jansen now has two in Detroit's last four contests. The lack of opportunities overall has limited the veteran to only 3.2 innings so far out of the bullpen, though he's looked sharp in the small sample with a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and six strikeouts. The Tigers figure to pick up the pace, and Jansen would stand to benefit as the team's unquestioned closer.

Brieske (groin) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Tuesday marks the first time Brieske has thrown off a mound since he suffered a left adductor strain during spring training. He was placed on the 60-day injured list before the regular season began and isn't eligible to return until late May, but the 28-year-old appears to be progressing as expected.

Pepiot (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Pepiot threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday, and it was assumed that he could be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment if he checked out well. However, it appears the opposite occurred, and he will need extended time on the injured list, which puts his return window no earlier than mid-to-late May. According to manager Kevin Cash, Pepiot's inflammation is "doing better," but he still wasn't "feeling like himself" after medication and down time, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports. The right-hander got a second opinion and received an injection, so he will be shut down a few days before he begins building back up. In a corresponding move Tuesday, the Rays signed Michael Grove (shoulder) and placed him on the 15-day IL.

Joyce (shoulder) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

It's the first time Joyce has thrown against live hitters since he underwent surgery in July 2025 to repair his labrum. The Angels still don't have a firm timeline in place for the right-hander's return, but he will likely require a lengthy rehab assignment before being cleared to return to Los Angeles' bullpen.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that he does not anticipate Taylor being used as a starting pitcher this season, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Director of pitching Brian Bannister said earlier Tuesday during an appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show that Taylor could continue to be stretched out if he is used more as an opener. However, Getz offered more clarity in reiterating that Taylor will not be used in the rotation this season. The goal is for the righty to stretch out to around 100 innings in 2026 before transitioning back to a starting pitcher role in 2027. Taylor has been lights out in a bullpen role so far this season, posting a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings.

Hader (biceps) is throwing live batting practice Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The veteran left-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a while and has finally been cleared to face live batters after sitting out all of spring training due to biceps inflammation. Making his season debut for the Astros before the end of April still appears to be in play. However, early May seems more realistic for Hader given that he's likely to require a handful of rehab outings in the minors before being fully cleared.

Akin (groin) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Akin has been shelved all season with a left groin strain but has been cleared to try things out in game action. The lefty suffered the injury late in spring training and doesn't need to rebuild much stamina as a reliever, so Akin could require only a couple rehab appearances if he looks and feels good.

The Angels optioned Farris to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

The left-hander was called up by the Halos last week and had a decent showing in three appearances, allowing just one run with a 3:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings. Farris will return to Salt Lake -- where he opened the season as a starter -- but could rejoin the big club later in the campaign.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The left-hander was called up by Boston last week and delivered three scoreless appearances with a 4:3 K:BB in three outings, but he'll be the odd man out of the bullpen with Jack Anderson being promoted Tuesday. Samaniego spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB across 26.1 innings. He seems likely to get another look in Boston this season after pitching well in his first taste of the big leagues.

White Sox director of pitching Brian Bannister said Tuesday during an appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show that Taylor will continue to get more stretched out with each appearance if he continues to be deployed as an opener.

Taylor has started in four of his last five outings, working 1.1 innings Thursday and two innings Sunday after logging exactly one inning in his first five appearances. The 27 pitches he tossed Sunday are the most he's thrown this season, so he's still not close to being built up enough to go five-plus innings. That said, it's easy to get excited about Taylor's potential if he ends up being used like a true starting pitcher. Taylor has a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings this season.