MLB Player News

The Royals announced that Kolek (oblique) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Guardians.

Kolek completed his fourth rehab appearance at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, striking out four batters over 4.1 innings (72 pitches) while yielding three runs (one earned) on eight hits and no walks. Though he initially appeared to be ticketed for a long-relief role upon his return from the IL, Kolek will end up slotting into the rotation Tuesday as a rpelacement for Noah Cameron, who was scratched from his scheduled start due to lower-back tightness. Kolek suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain during spring training and will be making his first big-league appearance of the 2026 campaign Tuesday.

Mercado was activated from the 7-day injured list Saturday.

Mercado failed to make an appearance during spring training due to a shoulder injury, but he looked sharp during his rehab assignment in April, posting a 1.23 ERA and 0.68 WHIP over 7.1 innings (five appearances). He looked a little shaky during his first appearance for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, surrendering two runs on three walks while striking out one over two frames.

Moran will serve as Boston's opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Detroit, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The lefty will presumably work the first inning or two before making way for Brayan Bello, who is expected to serve as the team's bulk reliever Tuesday. Moran is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, delivering a 2.33 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 17 strikeouts across 19.1 innings.

Williams picked up the save Monday against Colorado. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out one over a perfect inning.

Williams entered in the ninth inning with a two-run cushion and made quick work of the Rockies, retiring the side in order on just eight pitches to secure his fourth save of the season. It has been a rocky start to his tenure with the Mets, as the right-hander owns a 6.55 ERA and 1.91 WHIP, though he's still striking batters out at a prolific rate (14.7 K/9) and has strung together four consecutive outings without allowing an earned run.

Matsui (groin) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diegoreports.

Matsui is nearing his 2026 debut after suffering a left groin strain in February. He was a solid reliever for the Padres a year ago, collecting a 3.98 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 61:33 K:BB and one save across 63.1 regular-season innings.

Wilcox was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Wilcox put together a pair of scoreless appearances to begin May, but it wasn't enough to maintain his spot on the big-league roster. He's put together a 5.40 ERA and 2.17 WHIP with a 15:12 K:BB across 13.1 frames so far this season. Josh Simpson was recalled in a corresponding move.

Simpson was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Simpson will be called up to provide bullpen support after Gabe Speier (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list and Cole Wilcox was sent down. Simpson made 31 relief appearances with Miami a season ago, posting a 7.34 ERA and 1.83 WHIP with 36 strikeouts across 30.2 innings.

The Mariners placed Speier on the 15-day injured list Monday with left shoulder inflammation, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

It's unclear how long Speier has been bothered by the shoulder issue, but he hasn't pitched since last Wednesday and was not sharp in that outing, retiring just two of six batters. Speier has been a workhorse out of the Seattle bullpen, so it's a sizable loss. He's made 15 appearances this season, posting a 2.92 ERA and 12:5 K:BB over 12.1 frames.

The Giants placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a lower-back strain.

Miller may have tweaked his back during his last appearance against the Phillies on Thursday, when he tossed a scoreless inning in relief. The 28-year-old southpaw dealt with a back issue in spring training, so he may need a longer stint on the IL than the 15-day minimum. Right-hander Trevor McDonald was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move and will start Monday's game versus the Padres.

Stewart (shoulder) joined the Dodgers in Houston on Monday and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list during their series against the Astros, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stewart won't be reinstated Monday after making his final rehab appearance Sunday, but he will return to the active roster as soon as Tuesday. Working his way back from a right shoulder debridement procedure last September, Stewart spun 6.1 scoreless innings with a 13:3 K:BB covering eight rehab outings.