MLB Player News

The Mariners traded Pomeranz to the Cubs on Monday for cash considerations, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Pomeranz signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners in March and appeared in nine games for Triple-A Tacoma, logging a 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 9.2 innings. The veteran southpaw will report to Triple-A Iowa and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021 with the Padres, but he could see work out of the Cubs' bullpen soon, per Rosenthal.

Swanson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson threw a simulated game Saturday, and if his upcoming bullpen session goes well he could be sent on a rehab assignment. He's progressing in his recovery from carpal tunnel in his right elbow, but barring any setbacks he could return in early May. Swanson appeared in 45 games for the Blue Jays in 2024 and registered a 5.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB across 39.1 innings.

Loaisiga (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa on Saturday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Loaisiga is just over 12 months removed from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow and has finally been cleared for game appearances. His rehab assignment figures to be a lengthy one given how much time he's missed. Loaisiga could work his way back into high-leverage relief situations for the Yankees, but it will take a while.

Atlanta recalled Petersen from Triple-A Gwinnet on Monday.

Petersen will take the spot on the 26-man roster vacated by Spencer Strider (hamstring), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Petersen has spent most of the season in Triple-A but did make a major-league appearance against the Rays on April 13, when he struck out one batter in two scoreless innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Ort (oblique) could be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land allowing three runs (two earned) with a 4:3 K:BB over 4.1 frames. He's been working his way back from a left oblique strain. Ort was superb during his 24.2 innings with Houston last season, holding a 2.55 ERA with a 26:4 K:BB.

The Blue Jays recalled Walker from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Walker will give manager John Schneider a fresh relief arm after the bullpen had to cover 7.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Mariners. The left-hander has posted a 6.45 ERA and 23:12 K:BB over 22.1 frames at the big-league level across the previous two seasons.

The Brewers are expected to promote Yoho from Triple-A Nashville, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Milwaukee will need to add Yoho to the 40-man roster in order to make the move. Yoho was an eighth-round pick in the 2023 Draft and has been lights out at Triple-A to begin the season. He's pitched in eight games, tossing 9.2 scoreless innings with one save. The Brewers need the bullpen help, as they are currently 26th in ERA.

Slaten picked up the save in Monday's 4-2 win against the White Sox, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

Slaten efficiently secured the win, requiring only 12 pitches -- 10 of which were strikes -- to retire the side in order. Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth inning, as he was called upon to face the top of the Chicago lineup. However, this outing shows that Slaten could be in line for more save opportunities as Boston manager Alex Cora may look to deploy Chapman in the highest leverage spots. Although Slaten owns a 4.00 ERA, his performance has been much better under the hood, pitching to a 1.59 FIP, 0.56 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB across nine innings.

The Guardians designated McKenzie for assignment Monday.

McKenzie has struggled in a mop-up role this season, allowing seven runs with a 4:7 K:BB over 5.2 innings. The 27-year-old holds just a 5.46 ERA, 21.2 percent strikeout rate and 15.6 percent walk rate since the start of the 2023 campaign and has dealt with arm issues during that stretch. McKenzie comes with team control through 2027, but his lack of minor-league options is likely to hurt his appeal on waivers.

Schultz gave up two hits and struck out eight over 4.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Mariners.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the eight Ks tied a major-league record for a pitcher making his MLB debut in a relief role, a mark most recently matched by Hayden Wesneski in 2022 with the Cubs. Schultz began a conversion to the bullpen at Triple-A Buffalo last season and was having a good start to the season at that level, posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in 8.2 innings over four appearances. With the Blue Jays struggling to fill their fifth starter spot -- Easton Lucas, who took the loss Sunday, has been tagged for five homers and 14 runs in 7.2 innings over his last two starts -- Schultz made a strong case in his debut to stick around as a long reliever, and potentially even get a look as a primary pitcher working behind an opener.