MLB Player News

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that he expects Fairbanks (hand) to return from the 15-day injured list Wednesday when first eligible, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After checking out fine after throwing a live batting practice session Saturday, Fairbanks has been cleared to join the Marlins for the start of their six-game road trip and should be ready to go for the second game of the club's series in Minnesota. Before hitting the shelf April 28 after experiencing nerve irritation in his right hand, Fairbanks had notched five saves in six chances but had posted a 10.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in nine innings over 10 appearances. Fairbanks' underlying numbers (3.48 xERA, 22.0 K-BB%) were more encouraging, however, and he should immediately step back in as Miami's preferred closing option, as none of the Marlins' other relievers have seized control of the ninth inning while he's been on the shelf.

The Mets reinstated Gerber (finger) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

The right-hander has been sidelined nearly a month due to a finger blister, but he's now been fully cleared after a four-game rehab assignment. Gerber struck out five over two scoreless frames in his lone appearance for the Mets, but he's struggled to a 6.75 ERA across seven outings at Syracuse.

The Dodgers selected Mills' contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Mills will provide the Dodgers with a fresh arm in the bullpen after the team needed three relievers to cover the final six innings of Saturday's 7-2 loss to Atlanta. The 31-year-old righty received the promotion after logging a 3.26 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB in 19.1 innings for Oklahoma City.

Ekness retired the only batter he faced to earn a one-out save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Nationals.

The Marlins have been playing matchups in the ninth inning during Pete Fairbanks' (hand) absence, and Sunday was Ekness' turn. He entered to face righty Curtis Mead with two outs and a runner on first base and earned his first career save on just three pitches. The 24-year-old made his major-league debut May 3, and he's now held opponents scoreless in three of four appearances while posting a 2:1 K:BB across 3.1 innings with Miami.

The Dodgers transferred Diaz (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The transaction is merely a procedural move that clears a spot on the 40-man roster and won't have any bearing on Diaz's timeline to return to action. Diaz underwent surgery April 22 to remove loose bodies from his elbow and isn't expected to be available until after the All-Star break. Diaz is expected to start playing catch later this month once the stitches are removed from his elbow, but a more precise target date for his activation from the IL won't become clear until he's further along in the rehab process.

The Giants optioned Santos to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up by San Francisco in late April, but he'll return to Sacramento after giving up two earned runs with a 1:3 K:BB across three appearances and 5.2 innings. Santos could rejoin the Giants later in the season when bullpen depth is needed.

The Giants recalled Smith from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired from the Tigers in late March and will now get his first look with the Giants. Smith had a 1.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB over seven appearances in his first taste of the big leagues last year, and he's given up just three earned runs with 15 strikeouts across 12.2 innings to begin this season at Sacramento.

The Giants reinstated Hentges (knee/shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

The left-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 with Cleveland, as he underwent shoulder surgery late that year and knee surgery in August 2025. Hentges recorded 32 holds with a 2.93 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 155:42 K:BB across 138 innings from 2022-24 with the Guardians and could eventually fill a high-leverage role in an unsettled San Francisco bullpen.

The Giants optioned Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Giants manager Tony Vitello has yet to settle on a full-time closer, but Walker took himself out of consideration for save chances after a string of poor performances. Over his last four appearances, the right-hander blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings, inflating his ERA to 6.46 and his WHIP to 1.89 on the season. Walker will be sent to Triple-A for a reset, and if he's able to rediscover the form he showed in his 2024 breakout, he may not have to wait long for a call-up.

Ferguson (oblique) walked one over a scoreless inning for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Ferguson, who also threw Thursday, worked on back-to-back days for the Bats, which is typically a final box to be checked off for a reliever before coming off the injured list. The left-hander has made four appearances combined between Louisville and Double-A Chattanooga. The Reds' bullpen has fallen apart in May (8.47 ERA) and could use Ferguson as soon as possible.