MLB Player News

Hjelle made the fifth appearance of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Sacramento, striking out two while allowing one hit over a scoreless inning.

Hjelle was placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Opening Day due to a mild right elbow strain, but he appears to be bouncing back from the injury well based on how he's fared on his rehab assignment thus far. Between stops with Sacramento and Single-A San Jose, The right-hander has permitted two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over 5.1 innings. Hjelle seems to be preparing for a relief role with the Giants once he returns from the IL, though if San Francisco elects to option him to Sacramento upon his activation, he could get stretched back out to start.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Sborz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session earlier this week and could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible for activation Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports. "He's doing well," Bochy said. "Sborz is on his way...talking to him, he feels great, his pain is down."

Sborz was placed on the IL on April 7 with a right rotator cuff strain, but his injury doesn't appear to be an overly significant one. Bochy didn't explicitly outline the next steps for Sborz, but if the righty is able to face hitters in a live batting practice session this weekend, he may be able to return from the IL without heading out on a rehab assignment. Prior to being shut down with the injury, Sborz tossed 2.2 scoreless innings across his three relief appearances. He should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning once he's activated.

The Mets optioned Hartwig to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The move clears a spot on the 26-man active roster for Michael Tonkin, whom the Mets claimed off waivers. Hartwig made one scoreless appearance during his brief time in the majors this month.

Diaz attributes his early-season velocity drop to his mechanics being a little off after he missed the entire 2023 season with a knee injury, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.

The right-hander has averaged 96.6 mph with his four-seam fastball through his first seven appearances this season, down from the 99.1 mph he averaged in 2022 and even the 98.1 mph he averaged in April 2022. Diaz indicated Monday that he was pulling a bit to the first-base side with his delivery, something that seems like he should be able to correct fairly quickly. The velocity drop hasn't impacted his performance, as Diaz has converted all four of his save chances with an impressive 1.29 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through seven innings.

The Royals returned Veneziano to Triple-A Omaha following Wednesday's doubleheader with the White Sox.

Veneziano wasn't needed out of the bullpen for either game of the twin bill and is still waiting to make his 2024 MLB debut. The 26-year-old lefty has made four appearances (two starts) for Omaha this season, logging a 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in 11 innings.

The Rangers transferred Burke (hand) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jack Leiter, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to start Thursday's game against the Tigers. Burke's timetable for a return won't be affected by the move to the 60-day IL, as he was already expected to be sidelined for extended period after fracturing his right (non-throwing) hand last week.

The Rangers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Anderson has permitted four runs over two innings covering his three relief appearances this season. He's clearing out to make room on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Jack Leiter, who was called up from Triple-A to start Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Swanson (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on three hits in one-third of an inning.

Jordan Romano had pitched Tuesday, Yimi Garcia had worked three of the past four days and Chad Green was unavailable due to shoulder soreness, so Swanson was brought in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth in his 2024 debut. The right-hander gave up a leadoff homer to Giancarlo Stanton followed by two more hits. Swanson would coax a groundout from Oswaldo Cabrera before he was replaced by Tim Mayza, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Swanson pitched to a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 75:12 K:BB across 66.2 innings last season, and while the Blue Jays likely would have preferred not to thrust him into a high-leverage spot so soon after his return from a forearm issue, he would have been in the late-inning mix eventually.

Tampa Bay recalled Lopez from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Lopez has been starting at Durham, posting a 7.59 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings. The Rays need him for relief help, though, as the left-hander will offer them some potential length in the bullpen for Thursday's series finale versus the Angels.

The Rays optioned Kelly to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Tampa Bay will swap Kelly out of its bullpen for a left-handed option, as Jacob Lopez was called up from Durham in a corresponding move. Kelly has made four appearances for the Rays this season, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings.