MLB Player News

Knack didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Nationals after allowing five runs on four hits and four walks in 2.1 innings. He struck out two.

Filling in for the injured Blake Snell (shoulder), Knack was working with a 4-0 lead in the first inning but gave up three runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by a CJ Abrams leadoff solo shot. After Luis Garcia chased Knack from the game with an RBI double in the third, Alex Call plated an inherited runner on a sacrifice fly. According to Sonja Chen of MLB.com, Knack will get another chance to start in what should be a favorable bounce-back opportunity at home against Colorado next week.

Leiter recorded the final out of Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers to record his first save of the season.

He wasn't expected to get any work in when Devin Williams was called upon to protect a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning, but two hits, two walks and a wild pitch led to three runs and forced Leiter onto the mound. The veteran right-hander got the job done on two pitches as he induced a pop-up from Justyn-Henry Malloy. Luke Weaver had worked the eighth inning, so Leiter's usage isn't an indication he's moved up in the Yankees' bullpen hierarchy. Leiter has a 5.79 ERA through 4.2 innings to begin the season, but he's been scored upon in only one of his six appearances, and his 7:2 K:BB is a better reflection of his performance so far in 2025. He has two holds and a win in addition to Wednesday's bonus save.

Williams gave up three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers. He struck out two.

Brought in to protect a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning, Williams instead made a mess of things before Mark Leiter had to replace him and record the final out for his first save of the year. While it doesn't go down as a blown save or a loss for the Airbender, it's still the third time in his first four appearances as a Yankee that Williams has been charged with at least one run, leading to a 12.00 ERA and 5:4 K:BB through his first three innings in pinstripes. The average velocity on his fastball is down slightly to begin the season, but he topped out at 95.3 mph Wednesday on a strikeout of Colt Keith, and the movement on his elite changeup is in its usual range. All indicators suggest that Williams' numbers will quickly return to normal once the weather warms up.

Lawrence (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Cardinals, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.

The former Rockie has had a strong start to his first season at a lower altitude. Through his first six appearances as a Pirate, Lawrence has a 1.35 ERA and 9:4 K:BB in 6.2 innings, adding a hold to Wednesday's win. With David Bednar trying to work things out at Triple-A and Colin Holderman (knee) on the shelf, Lawrence is Pittsburgh's top high-leverage option from the right side behind current closer Dennis Santana.

Hendriks (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

After checking out fine upon completing a bullpen session over the weekend, Hendriks has received the green light to head to the minors, where he'll likely make a handful of appearances before coming off the 15-day injured list. Heading into spring training, Hendriks appeared to be a leading candidate to take over as Boston's closer in 2025, but he'll likely have to settle for a setup role in front of Aroldis Chapman once he's activated.

The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Nationals.

Knack earned a win while working in relief in the Dodgers' second game of the season back on March 19 in Tokyo, but he hasn't pitched for the big club since it resumed playing domestically. However, with Blake Snell (shoulder) going on the injured list Sunday and with the Dodgers electing to expand their rotation to six men this week, Knack will be called upon to make his first start of the season with Los Angeles. Though he struggled in his three postseason relief appearances last fall, Knack showed impressive poise for a rookie during the 2024 regular season, making 15 appearances (12 starts) for the Dodgers and logging a 3.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 69:18 K:BB over 69 innings. With a decent showing Wednesday, Knack should be able to stick around and make multiple turns through the rotation until the Dodgers get more of their starting pitchers back from injury.

The Mariners selected Lawrence's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Lawrence had made two starts with Tacoma this season, allowing five runs with an 8:3 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The veteran righty will give Seattle some length in the bullpen for now, but he could get a look as the club's No. 5 starter if Luis F. Castillo is unable to hold down a back-end rotation spot while George Kirby (shoulder) remains on the injured list.

The Mariners designated Hahn for assignment Wednesday.

Hahn gave up only one unearned run over four innings during his brief time with the big club, but he nonetheless has been jettisoned from the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster. Seattle selected the contract of Casey Lawrence from Triple-A Tacoma to replace Hahn.

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

Selby has made 26 appearances at the big-league level over the previous two seasons, collecting a 7.55 ERA and 35:19 K:BB over 31 frames. The right-hander tossed three scoreless innings in his first three outings with Norfolk and will provide manager Brandon Hyde with a fresh bullpen arm.

Alexander is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies in Denver.

Alexander made his first two appearances of the season out of the Milwaukee bullpen but was needed for a start last week in the wake of Aaron Civale's (hamstring) move to the injured list. The Brewers have since placed Nestor Cortes (elbow) on the IL and have acquired Quinn Priester to address their dwindling starting depth, but Alexander looks like he'll be sticking in the rotation for now over Elvin Rodriguez, who will presumably head to the bullpen this week after yielding 11 earned runs in nine innings over his two starts. Alexander earned a second turn through the rotation after striking out six over 5.2 scoreless innings last Friday in a win over the Reds, but he'll get a tougher draw Wednesday while pitching at altitude in hitter-friendly Coors Field.