MLB Player News

Smith gave up one run on two hits and struck out two in the ninth inning Wednesday, recording his 19th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Back-to-back singles by Curtis Mead and CJ Abrams to lead off the final frame made things interesting, but Smith buckled down and struck out the last two hitters he faced after giving up a sacrifice fly. The right-hander hasn't blown a save since April 14, reeling off 16 straight successful conversions, and on the season he sports a 2.70 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 39:5 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

Cano was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays due to right hamstring discomfort, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

After allowing three consecutive singles to lead off the eighth inning and falling behind 3-0 to the next hitter, Cano was visited on the mound by a trainer and removed from the game. It's unknown whether his injury will result in a trip to the injured list, though he will likely be unavailable out of the bullpen for at least a day or two while he recovers.

Jansen was removed from Wednesday's game against the Angels with a right groin injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Jansen stayed in the game following an initial mound visit from a trainer, but he was later pulled after walking Mike Trout on four pitches. The Tigers haven't provided any details regarding the severity of Jansen's injury, though the team may know more in the near future.

Sewald earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Giants, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Sewald's now converted his last five save chances, allowing just one run on one hit in that span (six innings). Overall, the veteran closer has logged 14 saves while posting a 3.80 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year.

Hader (biceps) will pitch for Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday, which should represent his final steps before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader embarked on his minor-league rehab assignment in early May, and across seven outings he has allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over seven innings. Per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com on Sunday, Hader is expected to be activated from the 60-day IL in the first week of June, so he's unlikely to be available for the Astros' weekend series against the Brewers. However, the left-hander could be activated for Houston's following series against Pittsburgh that starts Tuesday.

The Astros recalled VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

VanWey will give manager Joe Espada a fresh bullpen arm. He's made two scoreless appearances for the Astros this season and holds a 7.20 ERA, but he's fashioned an impressive 27:7 K:BB across 20 frames at Sugar Land in 2026.

The Nationals optioned Poulin to Triple-A Rochester following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians.

For the seventh time this season, Poulin served as an opener for Washington during Wednesday's contest. The lefty struck out a batter and gave up no hits and one walk over a scoreless frame before Miles Mikolas took over in bulk relief. Washington didn't announce a corresponding transaction but will add another player to the active roster as a replacement for Poulin prior to Friday's game against the Padres.

Whitlock has been unavailable to pitch since tweaking his left knee on a wet mound in his last appearance Sunday against the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Whitlock underwent an MRI, which came back negative. The Red Sox do not anticipate the reliever requiring a stint on the injured list, but they would like to avoid using Whitlock for a few more days to allow for additional rest. Whitlock has collected a 3.20 ERA, nine holds and a 25:6 K:BB over 19.2 innings in a setup role for Boston this season.

Alvarez will start Friday's game against the Padres, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

He's taking the rotation spot vacated by the injured Jake Irvin (shoulder). Alvarez has been terrific in a long-relief role so far for the Nationals, contributing a 2.84 ERA and 16:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The left-hander hasn't thrown more than 56 pitches in any of his relief outings this month but exceeded 90 pitches on two occasions at Triple-A Rochester in early May, so Alvarez should be capable of providing some length.

The Rays optioned Martin to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay recalled Martin from Triple-A on May 15, but he went unused out of the bullpen for more than a week and a half before making a three-inning long-relief appearance in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to Baltimore after starter Griffin Jax (back) made an early exit. Since Martin was unlikely to be available for another day or two after the 52-pitch outing, the Rays opted to swap him off the 26-man active roster in favor of a fresh relief arm in right-hander Jonathan Heasley, who was called up from Durham.