MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Contreras to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Contreras earned a spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster, but across four bullpen appearances he's logged an 8.44 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 5.1 innings. He'll look to regain his form in the minors while Logan VanWey gets the call-up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Astros selected VanWey's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

VanWey, 26, had allowed two runs with a 7:2 K:BB over his first four relief innings with Sugar Land. He will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Law (forearm) has yet to begin a throwing program, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Law dealt with an arm issue late last season and made just one appearance during spring training before landing on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. He remains in the strengthening phase of his rehab, and while Martinez admitted Monday to being "a little worried" Law still isn't throwing, he added that the reliever "is getting better, is getting stronger."

The Angels activated Johnson (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Johnson was away for the weekend series against the Guardians, but he will rejoin the bullpen ahead of the Angels' series against the Rays that begins Tuesday. Michael Darrell-Hicks was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Criswell was needed for three innings in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals, allowing five runs (three earned) while being credited with a save. The Red Sox are replacing him with a fresh arm in calling up Robert Stock.

The Angels optioned Darrell-Hicks to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Darrell-Hicks received his first call-up to the big leagues prior to Sunday's game against the Guardians, but he went unused out of the bullpen in the Angels' 6-2 win and will now head back to the minors. The Angels have yet to announce a corresponding transaction, but Darrell-Hicks' spot on the 26-man active roster will presumably go to right-hander Ryan Johnson, who is set to return from the paternity list ahead of Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay.

The White Sox optioned Eisert to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Chicago will likely announce a corresponding roster move ahead of its next game Tuesday in Cleveland. A waiver pickup from the Rays in February, Eisert secured a spot in the White Sox's Opening Day bullpen and had made three appearances this season, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings.

The Cardinals transferred Thompson (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Yohel Pozo, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Memphis. Thompson is now ineligible to return from his left lat strain until late May.

Caceres (lat) made his season debut for Double-A Rocket City on Friday, striking out a batter in a scoreless inning of relief.

Caceres closed the 2024 season on the Angels' 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery to address a right lat strain. He didn't make any appearances in the Cactus League before being reassigned to minor-league camp March 4, but Caceres apparently received a clean bill of health heading into the season. The 25-year-old righty previously made a pair of relief appearances for the Angels in 2023, but since he no longer possesses a 40-man roster spot, he could have a tough time making it back to the big leagues in 2025.

Treinen (0-1) took the loss and was charged with a blown save against Philadelphia on Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over one inning.

Treinen entered in the bottom of the seventh inning after Los Angeles had rallied to take a one-run lead in the top of the frame. The right-hander found himself in quick trouble after he gave up a leadoff double to Bryce Harper followed by a walk to Max Kepler. After getting one out, Treinen then allowed two runs to cross the plate -- one on a single and one on a run-scoring groundout. It was an unusually subpar outing for the veteran reliever, who posted an ERA below 2.00 each of his previous three regular seasons and came into Sunday having pitched four scoreless innings to begin the campaign. He'll still be one of the Dodgers' top high-leverage arms and could get an occasional save chance, though Tanner Scott has emerged as the team's top closer.