MLB Player News

Uceta's (shoulder) minor-league rehab assignment is expected to transfer to Triple-A Durham next week, per MLB.com.

The Rays are planning for Uceta to make more than just a couple of rehab appearances in order to simulate spring training. The right-hander, who's working his way back from a right shoulder impingement that cropped up in February, had his first outing with Double-A Montgomery on Tuesday and is set for two more appearances there before moving up to the Triple-A level. The hope initially was that Uceta would have a chance to join Tampa Bay in mid-April and battle for save opportunities, but now it sounds like his season debut is likelier to come later in the month.

Moll did not allow a hit and struck out two over 2.1 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 7-4 loss to Miami. He also hit two batters.

Moll was needed for length as starter Brady Singer left after 2.2 innings, having given up six runs and 10 hits. Moll has not yet allowed a run or hit over six appearances (6.2 innings) this season.

Holmes (1-1) notched the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

Holmes was tagged for a pair of extra-base hits, with one leaving the yard, but he otherwise produced a very strong outing. The right-hander generated 13 whiffs, and he notably escaped a bases-loaded jam to finish a two-run second inning and limit the damage. Holmes owns a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings, and he should maintain streaming appeal with a favorable matchup versus the Marlins set for his next start.

Garcia walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his first career save in a 5-3 win over the White Sox.

With Ryan Helsley having pitched Monday and Tuesday, the Orioles closer was given a breather while other members of the bullpen stepped up. After Grant Wolfram handled the seventh and Anthony Nunez the eighth, Garcia got the call in the ninth and managed to get the job done despite throwing only 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes. Garcia is establishing himself as a high-leverage option for manager Craig Albernaz, producing a win, two holds and a save in his first six appearances with a 0.53 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB in 5.2 scoreless and hitless innings.

Hoffman earned the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Dodgers got the tying and go-ahead runs on base against Hoffman with one out in the ninth. However, the right-hander bounced back to strike out Freddie Freeman before coaxing a game-ending flyout off the bat of Max Muncy to log his second save in three chances this year. Hoffman has appeared in seven games overall this season, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out 15 over 6.2 innings.

Festa walked one and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 10-2 win over the Royals.

The right-hander got the final out of the eighth inning with the Guardians ahead 5-2, then watched his offense erupt for five more runs in the bottom of the frame, eliminating the need for closer Cade Smith to work the ninth. Festa has had a bumpy beginning to the season, getting tagged for runs in two of his five appearances, but Wednesday's usage was encouraging, even before he backed into the save. Through six innings, he sports a 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB.

Lopez's suspension has been reduced from seven to five games after he reached a settlement with Major League Baseball, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez had been handed a seven-game ban after throwing a pitch near the head of the Angels' Jorge Soler in Tuesday's game that led to a benches-clearing brawl. Between the successful appeal and a team off day Thursday, Lopez will not have to miss a start. He's lined up to take the ball Tuesday at home against the Marlins.

Ragans said after being removed from Wednesday's start against the Guardians with a left thumb contusion that he "should be good" to make his next start, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans' thumb was struck by a comebacker in the first inning. He initially remained in the game but was unable to continue after the thumb stiffened up on him and affected his command. Ragans will need to show during his between-starts bullpen session that his thumb is no longer an issue, but for now he's tentatively on track to take the ball next week in Detroit.

Lopez was issued a seven-game suspension for his role in a benches-clearing incident during Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Angels, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Lopez will appeal the suspension.

Making his third start of the season Tuesday, Lopez was tossed from the game in the fifth inning shortly following a wild pitch near the head of batter Jorge Soler. Soler took exception to the inside pitch -- the slugger clubbed a homer and was also hit by a pitch earlier in the game -- and then charged the mound, with both he and Lopez exchanging punches in the ensuing fracas. Both players have chosen to appeal their respective seven-game bans and will be eligible to play until the appeal process is completed. For the time being, Lopez tentatively lines up to make his next start Monday versus the Marlins.

The Royals announced that Ragans was removed from his start in Wednesday's game against the Guardians in the first inning due to a left thumb contusion. He recorded two outs via strikeout and was charged with three earned runs on two hits and one walk.

Ragans sustained the injury when he was struck on the hand by a Jose Ramirez comebacker. The southpaw initially stayed in the game, but after struggling with his control against the next two hitters he faced, the Royals opted to pull the plug on his start. Though preliminary X-rays have ruled out any structural damage to Ragans' pitching hand, he'll still need to show that the thumb contusion presents no issues with his ability to grip and command the baseball before the Royals clear him to make his next turn through the rotation. Ragans tentatively lines up to make his fourth start of the season during next week's series in Detroit.