MLB Player News

Kerkering threw a clean seventh inning Friday against Miami. He struck out one.

Following a delayed start to the season due to a hamstring strain he sufferend during the spring, Kerkering is off to a solid start as one of Philadelphia's high-leverage arms. The right-hander has rattled off seven consecutive scoreless outings, and he has a 2.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB with one hold across his first 11.2 innings on the year.

Duran (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Duran tossed his first bullpen session Thursday, and it doesn't look like he'll be reinstated from the 15-day injured list this weekend. The hard-throwing right-hander is inching towards returning from a left oblique strain, but the Phillies don't want to rush their closer until he's 100 percent healthy. Brad Keller, who secured his first save of 2026 during Friday's win in Miami, appears to be serving as Philadelphia's interim closer in Duran's stead.

Englert (forearm) is set to throw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Boyle faced live hitters in batting practice Thursday, and he could go on a minor-league rehab assignment after Sunday's bullpen. The right-hander is working his way back from right forearm tightness, and he's tracking toward rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen in mid-to-late May. It's worth mentioning that Rays want Englert to be built back up to work multiple innings.

Imaging on Helsley's right elbow came back negative Friday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Manager Craig Albernaz said that he isn't too concerned about Helsley's elbow now that the team knows he isn't dealing with any structural damage. He added that the 31-year-old reliever has been dealing with elbow discomfort for the past week but thought the issue would subside on its own. Helsley is now set to remain sidelined until at least May 15, though Albernaz's comments suggest he may not need much more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. In the meantime, Rico Garcia and Yennier Cano figure to be the leading candidates for saves in Baltimore.

Chapman earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Astros, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a two-out double to slam the door. He's now 6-for-6 in save chances this season while keeping opponents off the board in nine of 10 appearances. The veteran southpaw has been dominant through 9.2 frames, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB.

The Mariners recalled Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

With Matt Brash (lat) landing on the injured list Friday, the Mariners will call upon Simpson to fill the void in their bullpen. The 28-year-old southpaw struggled mightily in the big leagues last year, finishing with a 7.34 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 30.2 innings with the Marlins. However, he's bounced back nicely with the Rainiers this season, allowing just one earned run on three hits and six walks while striking out 12 batters over 9.1 frames.

The Mariners placed Brash on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Thursday, due to right lat inflammation.

Brash sustained the injury during Wednesday's outing against the Twins, when he tweaked his lat while tossing two pitches in the eighth inning. While the MRI didn't reveal any structural damage, the injury is significant enough for him to warrant a stint on the IL. A minimum stay on the IL would mean a mid-May return for Brash, but some lat injuries take longer to heal from, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander shelved until the end of the month or early June. Left-hander Josh Simpson was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move.

Webb walked one and struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings of relief Friday to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Manager Craig Counsell elected to stick with what was working after Webb dialed up a perfect eighth inning, and the veteran righty wound up tossing 36 total pitches (23 strikes) to get the job done. The Cubs continue to mix and match in save situations -- Hoby Milner got the save Wednesday in the team's last game -- but Daniel Palencia (lat) is beginning what should be a brief rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, and he's on track to reclaim the closing role next week. Through 14 appearances this season, Webb has a 4.26 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 12.2 innings.

Vargas (lat) has suffered a setback in his recovery, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the injured list since the beginning of the regular season due to a strained right lat, and his latest setback will require him to restart his throwing progression completely. He won't be eligible to return from the IL until May 23, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to return by then.

Mariners manager Justin Hollander told reporters Friday that an MRI on Brash revealed "trace inflammation" in his right lat and no signs of structural damage, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash sustained the injury during Wednesday's game against the Twins after tossing just two pitches in the eighth inning. The fact there was no structural damage is good news for the 27-year-old right-hander, but the inflammation in his lat could result in a stint on the 15-day IL. It would be a big blow to the Mariners' bullpen, as Brash has yet to give up an earned run across 11.1 innings this season, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out eight and accumulating four holds.