MLB Player News

Bird struck out five batters over two perfect innings of relief in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Giants.

Though he has yet to record a save this season, Bird has quietly emerged as an indispensable piece in the Colorado bullpen. He hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his last 10 appearances and has been scored upon just three times in 22 outings dating back to April 15. Over that span, Bird owns a 1.16 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB while collecting one win and seven holds in 31 innings. With both Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen having faltered in their recent late-inning opportunities, it wouldn't be surprising if Bird was called upon for a save chance in the near future, though the 12-55 Rockies haven't had many leads to protect all season.

Law (forearm) threw a successful simulated game Wednesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

He's slated for two more simulated games on Saturday and Tuesday. If that goes well, Law will then head out on a rehab assignment. The veteran reliever has been sidelined all season with a right forearm strain but finally appears to have turned the corner in his recovery.

The Brewers optioned McGee to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

McGee was with the big club for a couple days, allowing one run over three innings in his lone appearance Wednesday versus Atlanta. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for the arrival of Jacob Misiorowski.

The Yankees released Leibrandt on Thursday, and the 32-year-old lefty has since agreed to a contract with CTBC Brothers Baseball Club of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Leibrandt made a pair of relief appearances in the majors for the Reds in 2024, but after joining the Yankees on a minor-league deal over the winter, he pitched exclusively with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season before being granted his release. In 10 appearances (nine starts) at the Triple-A level, Leibrandt posted a 2.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in 41 innings.

The Rockies recalled Molina from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Molina made one scoreless appearance with the Rockies earlier this season. The 23-year-old reliever will give the big club a fresh arm for the bullpen and is likely to work in a lower-leverage role.

The Yankees optioned Headrick to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

A corresponding move will be announced prior to Thursday's game in Kansas City. Headrick has a 4.73 ERA over 13.1 innings with the Yankees this season, but his 16:3 K:BB suggests he's pitched better than the ERA indicates.

Latz (hand) allowed two earned runs on three hits in an inning of relief in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Twins.

The lefty made his second career MLB start in his most recent appearance last Sunday against the Nationals and struck out seven over 3.1 innings before exiting with an apparent blister or cut on his pitching hand, but he made enough improvement for the Rangers to call upon him from the bullpen three days later. With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) looking unlikely to be ready to return from the injured list the next time his turn in the rotation comes up Saturday versus the White Sox, Latz could be needed to make another start. Even if that's the case, Latz would likely be deployed as more of an opener than a traditional starter.

Akin will serve as the Orioles' opening pitcher in Thursday's game versus the Tigers, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Dean Kremer had been scheduled to start, but he now appears slated to serve as a bulk reliever. Akin has opened twice for the Orioles this season, tossing a combined 2.2 frames in those outings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cousins (forearm) appears to be dealing with a UCL injury, but the right-hander will receive further medical opinions before the diagnosis is confirmed, Jackson Stone of MLB.com reports.

Cousins was dealing with a right forearm strain upon reporting to spring training and opened the season on the injured list, and his rehab process was extended further in May, when he suffered a pectoral injury. He made enough progress with his throwing program to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment earlier this month, but he made just two appearances before experiencing his second setback of the season. If Cousins is in fact dealing with ligament damage in his elbow, his return would likely be pushed back until after the All-Star break if he elects to treat the injury with rest and rehab. Season-ending Tommy John surgery would also be a potential outcome.

The Reds optioned La Sorsa to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

La Sorsa was just recalled Tuesday and was knocked around for four runs over one inning in Wednesday's loss to the Guardians. The Reds have not announced a corresponding move, but it's likely that Brent Suter will return from the bereavement list prior to Friday's contest in Detroit.