MLB Player News

Fairbanks struck out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Cardinals.

The Marlins held a 4-0 lead heading into the ninth inning, but after Lake Bachar served up a solo shot to Ivan Herrera to lead off the frame and then walked Nolan Gorman, Fairbanks was brought in to quell the threat. The right-hander has converted three straight save chances over the last four days, but with Miami having a scheduled off day Thursday, manager Clayton McCullough may not have to worry about giving him some rest and finding an alternate closing option. On the season, Fairbanks has a 7,27 ERA that doesn't line up with his much more palatable 1.04 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB through 8.2 innings.

Junk (1-2) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Cardinals, allowing one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander got a surprisingly early hook after just 56 pitches (38 strikes), but he was due to face the top of the St. Louis order for a third time in the top of the sixth, and manager Clayton McCullough didn't indicate after the game that Junk was dealing with any sort of injury. Junk has given the Marlins at least five innings in four straight outings, but if his usage continues to be this restricted, he'll have a hard time keeping that streak going. He'll take a 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB through 27 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Dodgers.

Leahy (2-3) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings as the Cardinals fell 4-1 to the Marlins. He struck out two.

All eight hits off the right-hander were singles as Miami batters played small ball, but Leahy also helped create some of his own problems as he walked home a run in the second inning. He exited the mound after 89 pitches (50 strikes) and has failed to finish six frames in his first five starts of the year. Leahy will take a 5.63 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB through 24 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Pittsburgh.

The Tigers selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Smith was off to a terrific start with Toledo, yielding two runs with a 16:0 K:BB over 10 innings. The 36-year-old will give the Tigers a fresh bullpen arm and will be making his first major-league appearance since 2024 when/if he gets into a game.

The Tigers optioned De Jesus to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

De Jesus was hammered for seven runs (five earned) while throwing 49 pitches over 1.1 innings during an ugly relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. He will be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by right-hander Burch Smith, whose contract was selected from Triple-A.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider did not commit to Hoffman as his closer when asked Wednesday if he would consider using other relievers in the ninth inning, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Schneider said he's "not ready to make a firm comment" on the closer role, noting that he wants to have a discussion with Hoffman before announcing a decision. Hoffman was pulled from a save chance Tuesday versus the Angels with the bases loaded and one run already in. He was relieved by Louis Varland, who closed things out by inducing a game-ending double-play ball on the one and only pitch he threw. Hoffman has struck out 24 in 10.2 innings this season, but he's walked six, blown three saves and posted a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP. If Schneider does opt for a change at closer, Varland should be next in line.

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Anderson will cede his spot in the Boston bullpen to left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was summoned from Triple-A and will provide the Red Sox with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings. During his first stint in the majors, Anderson appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Anderson will likely re-enter the rotation once he returns to Worcester.

Hall will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Tigers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Milwaukee will go with Hall for the first inning or two before turning things over to Chad Patrick, who will absorb the bulk of the workload. Hall has issued eight walks in 9.2 innings out of the bullpen this season, but he's also struck out 12 while managing a 2.79 ERA.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Espada will provide reinforcement to an Orioles bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Helsley (personal), who was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday in a corresponding move. Though he's unlikely to enter the mix for save chances while Helsley is away from the team, Espada will provide the Orioles with a fresh arm in middle relief. Espada has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB in 10 innings with Norfolk this season.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Wednesday.

Per MLB rules, Helsley will be away from the Orioles for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days after going on bereavement leave. After signing a two-year deal with Baltimore over the winter, Helsley has gotten off to a respectable start to the season as the team's closer, converting all six of his save chances while pitching to a 2.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Rico Garcia (0.75 ERA, 0.42 WHIP in 12 innings) and Yennier Cano (1.23 ERA, 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings) have been the Orioles' top-performing setup arms this season and could be the top choices for save chances while Helsley is deactivated.