MLB Player News

Ponce de Leon signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Ponce de Leon went unsigned all winter after struggling to a 6.52 ERA in 116 innings (26 starts) last season between the Triple-A affiliates of the Mariners, Nationals and Tigers. The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2021 with the Cardinals. He'll head to Triple-A Charlotte.

The Athletics recalled Smith from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Smith will be the replacement in the bullpen for Domingo Acevedo, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left lower-back strain. He'll likely operate in the middle innings while he's up with Oakland.

Davidson was bypassed for the start in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, with the Angels instead activating Griffin Canning (groin) from the 15-day injured list to have him take the hill, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Davidson opened the season in the bullpen but had been expected to enter the rotation when the Angels first required a sixth starter this week. However, with Canning progressing quicker than expected from the groin issue that forced him to the IL and then building up to five innings in his lone minor-league rehab start last Thursday, the Angels are opting to keep Davidson in the bullpen for the time being as a multi-inning option. The decision to go with Canning over Davidson for the sixth spot in the rotation became an easier one Monday, when Davidson was needed to cover three frames in relief after Jose Suarez lasted just four innings.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Rolison (shoulder) recently completed a bullpen session without incident, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Rolison is currently on the 60-day injured list while recovering from the left shoulder surgery he underwent last June. The southpaw will likely begin to face hitters soon, but he's still probably at least a few weeks away from heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Arizona optioned Vargas to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Vargas has loads of upside as a late-inning relief arm, but he's struggled this season with a 5.79 ERA and 7:4 K:BB over 4.2 innings. He'll try to get on track at Reno before getting another look with the big club.

The Diamondbacks reinstated McGough (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday.

McGough missed Tuesday's loss to the Brewers while welcoming a new member of his family, but the 33-year-old will be available for Wednesday's series finale. Arizona optioned Carlos Vargas to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Alexander (1-0) struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in two-thirds of an inning to earn the win Tuesday versus the Dodgers.

Starter Alex Wood came one out short of qualifying for the win. Jakob Junis allowed a pair of hits in the sixth inning, and the bases were loaded on catcher's interference, but Alexander got out of the jam unscathed. Over 2.2 innings this season, Alexander has allowed two hits and struck out three without issuing a walk or permitting a run. He remains more of a low-leverage reliever, but the early returns are solid.

Phillips was charged with three runs on three hits over an inning of relief in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Giants. He recorded all three of his outs via strikeout.

Over the weekend, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports that Phillips will likely see more save chances than the team's other relievers. However, because Phillips hadn't pitched since April 6, the Dodgers chose to get him some work in the eighth inning of Tuesday's game while Los Angeles was facing a 2-0 deficit. Though he struck out three batters swinging in the appearance, Phillips gave up three extra-base hits in between the punchouts, including back-to-back home runs by David Villar and Brandon Crawford. Though Phillips damaged fantasy managers' ratios Tuesday, he should still have some leeway as the team's preferred option in closing situations after he had allowed just two baserunners through his first three innings of the season while converting both of his save chances.

Tonkin (1-1) picked up the win in Tuesday's victory over the Reds, allowing one hit and striking out three over three scoreless innings of relief.

Kyle Wright lasted only three innings in his 2023 debut, but Tonkin took over in the top of the fourth and shut down Cincy's offense, giving Atlanta a chance to come back from a 4-2 deficit. It's the right-hander's first big-league win since 2016, and he's looked great in his return to the majors in a long-relief role, posting a 2.16 ERA and 7:1 K:BB through 8.1 innings for four appearances.

The Mariners selected McCaughan's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

McCaughan will provide Seattle with some extra length out of the bullpen in Wednesday's series finale with the Cubs after the Mariners needed three relievers to cover the final 5.2 innings of Tuesday's 14-9 loss. Seattle designated Brennan Bernardino for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for McCaughan.