MLB Player News

Lawrence tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout Monday in the 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.

Lawrence was limited to just 17 appearances last season due to an elbow injury, but Monday's outing marked his 14th already in 2026. The sinker-sweeper pitcher has missed bats consistently, ringing up 16 strikeouts over his first 14 frames. Lawrence is pitching primarily in low-leverage situations for the time being, but that could change if he continues to consistently shut batters down (zero runs allowed in last six appearances).

The Reds assigned Ferguson (oblique) to Double-A Chattanooga to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday.

The left-hander opened the season on the IL due to an oblique strain but is now in the final stage of his rehab program. Ferguson will likely require at least a few appearances in the minors before being cleared to join the active roster.

Atlanta placed Lee on the paternity list Tuesday.

Lee has been an effective high-leverage relief option for Atlanta early in the season with a 1.38 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 13 innings, but he will step away from the team for a few days in order to be with his growing family. He should be back with the club for Friday's series opener in Colorado. Didier Fuentes was called up Tuesday in a corresponding move.

Fairbanks described the issue that forced him out of Monday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers as numbness in his pitching hand, a potential recurrence of the nerve issue that sidelined him in April 2024 during his time with the Rays, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. "Just a lot of diminished sensation," Fairbanks said after the game. "Felt like any movement of the wrist would exacerbate just loss of sensation in the index finger. So we'll see where it goes and how to work on it."

The right-hander was sidelined for about three weeks in 2024 when the issue first surfaced, but Fairbanks went on to have a strong season for Tampa Bay once he returned, converting 23 of 27 save chances with a 3.57 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 45.1 innings. For however long Fairbanks is unavailable this time around, the Marlins will likely take a committee approach to the ninth inning, with Anthony Bender, Tyler Phillips, Andrew Nardi and Calvin Faucher all options to close out games depending on matchups.

Miller allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning in Monday's 9-7 win over the Cubs.

Miller's outing, a non-save situation, got off to an unfortunate start when a Matt Shaw dribbler down the third-base line was ruled fair before the Cubs strung together two more hits and scored two runs, though Miller was able to limit the damage and secure the win. The appearance snapped the hard-throwing right-hander's streak of 34.2 scoreless innings, which dated back to last season and set a franchise record. The 27-year-old's numbers in 2026 remain dominant, as he owns a 1.26 ERA and 0.56 WHIP with a 28:2 K:BB and 10 saves across 14.1 innings.

Vasquez (3-0) earned the win Monday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

Vasquez ran into major trouble in the third inning, allowing a grand slam to Moises Ballesteros, but the right-hander was able to complete five innings to provide length and earn his third win of the season. The 27-year-old has mostly been sharp to begin 2026, posting a 2.94 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with a 34:11 K:BB across 33.2 innings (six starts), though he has allowed four or more runs in two of his past three outings. Vasquez's next start is projected for Sunday against the White Sox.

Fairbanks left Monday's game against the Dodgers with a right thumb injury, Fish on First reports.

Manager Clayton McCullough described Fairbanks' injury as an "unusual sensation" in the right-hander's thumb, resulting in his removal from the matchup. McCullough also noted that Fairbanks will be evaluated further, at which point another update should surface. Anthony Bender could be asked to handle save opportunities until Fairbanks is cleared to return.

Fairbanks left Monday's game against the Dodgers due to an undisclosed injury, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Fairbanks worked his way into a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth inning, and after receiving a visit from the team trainer, he would walk off the field having retired only one batter on 23 pitches. He can be considered day-to-day until more information on his injury surfaces. Tyler Phillips was called on to attempt to salvage the save chance following Fairbanks' departure.

Thornton (Achilles) was activated from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Thornton got off to a slow start to the 2026 campaign after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon, but he's been given a clean bill of health. He made his 2026 debut with Triple-A Iowa, where he gave up a pair of hits and one walk over two innings but managed to escape without surrendering a run.

Soriano secured the save Monday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

It's possible the Cardinals were short on available high-leverage arms following a competitive weekend series with the Mariners, which enabled Soriano to step up for his first save of the season. The 27-year-old right-hander could see occasional work as a setup man going forward but isn't likely to see many save opportunities in most situations, and he has a 4.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over his first 12.1 frames.