MLB Player News

Bednar earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals, allowing one walk and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bednar was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk to slam the door on 17 pitches. It marked his second straight scoreless outing after he blew his first save of the season Saturday. On the year, the 31-year-old is 6-for-7 in save opportunities with a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB over 8.2 innings.

Martinez (0-1) took the loss against the Pirates on Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings.

It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Martinez, who allowed 11 baserunners during Friday's loss. He did limit the Pirates to just one run through five innings before being pulled with one out in the sixth, but he was tagged for another run after Griffin Jax yielded a two-run to Oneil Cruz. Martinez has given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his four outings this season for a 2.45 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 22 innings, though he has yet to record a win. He's slated to take on the Reds next week.

The Blue Jays placed Estrada on the MLB 15-day injured list April 5 with a right shoulder impingement, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Estrada was originally optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, but the team later discovered a shoulder issue that he suffered while playing in the big leagues, so he'll land on the major-league IL. He'll be eligible to return to action Monday, and when he is ready to return the Blue Jays will likely send him back down to Buffalo.

Yates (knee) will embark on a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.

Yates opened the regular season on the 15-day injured list due to left knee inflammation. He has progressed enough in his rehab to start a rehab assignment and may need just a couple of outings, given that he is not dealing with an arm issue. Yates could be in the mix for saves upon his return, especially given the recent struggles of Jordan Romano.

Ponce underwent surgery Friday to repair the ACL in his right knee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ponce sprained his right ACL in late March, which was a severe enough injury to require season-ending surgery, but he should be available for the start of spring training. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays in December after spending three seasons in Japan. Ponce's start against the Rockies on March 30 -- when he suffered his injury -- was his first appearance in an MLB game since 2021, when he played with the Pirates.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Uceta has soreness in the back of his right shoulder following his latest rehab appearance at Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Uceta was roughed up a bit during his outing Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on five hits over 1.1 innings. The Rays will now shut him down for a few days before re-evaluating him, at which point an updated timeline for his return may emerge.

The White Sox optioned Gilbert to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Gilbert was recalled by the White Sox ahead of Wednesday's game against the Rays, during which he allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 1.2 innings. He'll return to Triple-A while the White Sox promote Doug Nikhazy in a corresponding move.

Kittredge (shoulder/paternity) resumed his rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kittredge's assignment was paused Tuesday when he went on paternity leave, but he's now back with the Tides, continuing to work his way back from the right shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list at the beginning of the year. The 36-year-old has already made three appearances at Triple-A, allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out five batters through 2.2 innings.

The Astros transferred Hader (biceps) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The Astros needed the spot on the 40-man roster to select Peter Lambert's contract from Triple-A ahead of Friday's start against St. Louis. With Hader being transferred to the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible to pitch until late May. Hader threw his first live batting practice Tuesday, essentially marking the start of his spring training.

The Astros selected Lambert's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.

Lambert made a bid for the Opening Day roster with an encouraging spring training and remained effective at Triple-A to begin the season, as he logged a 1.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across 14.2 innings with Sugar Land. He'll now be the 10th pitcher to start a game for the Astros this season, as he's set to take the mound Friday against the Cardinals.