MLB Player News

The Angels designated Dashwood for assignment Thursday.

With the Angels needing extra corner-infield depth at the big-league level after Yoan Moncada (thumb) landed on the injured list, Dashwood will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to J.D. Davis, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake. Dashwood earned a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster this winter after turning in a 2.70 ERA and 0.70 WHIP while striking out 15 over 10 innings in 2024, but he struggled mightily through his first three appearances at Salt Lake this season, giving up 12 earned runs on 11 hits and three walks over two innings. As a 27-year-old relief prospect who has yet to reach the big leagues, Dashwood has a good chance of clearing waivers and remaining in the Angels organization.

Yates (1-0) earned the win over the Nationals on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Yates was called upon in the sixth inning with Los Angeles down a run. He retired the side in order on 12 pitches, fanning the final two batters he faced. Yates was then put in line for the victory when the Dodgers scored twice in the bottom of the frame. The veteran reliever hasn't notched a hold since his first outing of the campaign, but he's been effective in his first season with the club, holding the opponent scoreless in six of his seven appearances to date. Yates holds a 2.84 ERA and 0.79 WHIP along with a dominant 13:1 K:BB through 6.1 frames.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

St. Louis is off Thursday and will likely wait until shortly before Friday's game against the Phillies to announce a replacement for Roycroft on the 26-man active roster. After winning a bullpen role out of spring training, Roycroft made seven relief appearances and collected two holds through the first two weeks of the season while allowing seven runs (five earned) on six hits and six walks over 5.2 innings.

Gusto is slated to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander will be making his first MLB start this weekend, filling the rotation spot that belonged to Spencer Arrighetti (thumb), who was placed on the injured list Tuesday. Gusto turned in a 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 148.1 innings in 2024 as a full-time starter at Triple-A Sugar Land, and he's been magnificent so far this season after winning a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen coming out of spring training. After working a scoreless frame in relief en route to scooping up his first career win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Mariners, Gusto now owns a 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB across eight innings with the Astros. Gusto didn't throw more than 50 pitches in any of his four relief appearances this season nor in his four appearances in the Grapefruit League, so he could be slightly limited from a workload standpoint in his start Saturday.

Halvorsen allowed six runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers.

Halvorsen entered the game to start the ninth inning with the Rockies down by eight runs, likely just to get work because he hadn't appeared in a game since Friday. It was a disastrous outing all around, as he walked the first two batters he faced, then was charged with an error that allowed two runs to score before serving up a homer to the next batter he faced. Halvorsen and Victor Vodnik each have one save this season, and they appear set to share the closer role for the time being.

Adam earned a hold against the Athletics on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Adam was called upon in eighth inning of a tight 2-1 game. The right-hander successfully protected San Diego's lead, working around a two-out walk and subsequent stolen base by fanning Brent Rooker to close out the frame. Adam has been very impressive to begin the campaign, posting an 11:4 K:BB over 7.1 scoreless innings. He leads the majors with five holds.

Ellard struck out two and walked one while not allowing a hit across a scoreless eighth inning in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Ellard has pitched well overall this season, as this marked his fourth scoreless appearance in five chances. His last outing came Sunday in a save situation, though he pitched with the White Sox down by two runs in the eighth inning Wednesday. Mike Clevinger pitched in a more traditional closer role Tuesday, but it's unclear which pitcher will claim save chances moving forward.

Fairbanks earned the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Angels. He allowed one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

After taking the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, Fairbanks was called from the bullpen for a second straight game and was able to log his second save of the season on 15 pitches (seven strikes). Through five outings, Fairbanks has allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven across five innings.

Pagan (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Giants after giving up a two-run home run in the 10th inning.

Pagan came on to pitch the 10th inning in a 6-6 game, promptly allowing a two-run home run to Mike Yastrzemski after just two pitches as the Giants walked it off. The journeyman right-hander still holds a sharp 1.69 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 3:1 K:BB with two saves over 5.1 innings this season, and he should continue sharing ninth-inning work alongside Tony Santillan as long as Alexis Diaz (hamstring) remains on the injured list.

Sandlin earned his first save of the 2025 season in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-innings win against the Red Sox, striking out one batter in a scoreless 11th frame.

Sandlin got the call for the save opportunity in the bottom of the 11th inning after Jeff Hoffman tossed two scoreless frames. Sandlin was able to get the job done in just nine pitches (seven strikes) to earn his first save of 2025 and second in his major-league career. Across his first five outings of the season, Sandlin has given up one run on two hits and four walks while striking out six in five frames.