MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Santos to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up by San Francisco in late April, but he'll return to Sacramento after giving up two earned runs with a 1:3 K:BB across three appearances and 5.2 innings. Santos could rejoin the Giants later in the season when bullpen depth is needed.

The Giants recalled Smith from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired from the Tigers in late March and will now get his first look with the Giants. Smith had a 1.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB over seven appearances in his first taste of the big leagues last year, and he's given up just three earned runs with 15 strikeouts across 12.2 innings to begin this season at Sacramento.

The Giants reinstated Hentges (knee/shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

The left-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 with Cleveland, as he underwent shoulder surgery late that year and knee surgery in August 2025. Hentges recorded 32 holds with a 2.93 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 155:42 K:BB across 138 innings from 2022-24 with the Guardians and could eventually fill a high-leverage role in an unsettled San Francisco bullpen.

The Giants optioned Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Giants manager Tony Vitello has yet to settle on a full-time closer, but Walker took himself out of consideration for save chances after a string of poor performances. Over his last four appearances, the right-hander blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings, inflating his ERA to 6.46 and his WHIP to 1.89 on the season. Walker will be sent to Triple-A for a reset, and if he's able to rediscover the form he showed in his 2024 breakout, he may not have to wait long for a call-up.

Joyce (shoulder) is slated to make a fifth rehab appearance Sunday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The hard-throwing righty has had uneven results through his first four outings for Rancho Cucamonga, striking out five batters and surrendering just three hits over four innings but yielding two runs (one earned) while issuing three walks and hitting two batters. Joyce is working his way back from labral repair surgery performed last May and may need close to the entirety of his 30-day rehab window before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Once he's reinstated, Joyce should step into a high-leverage role in an Angels bullpen that remains unsettled at the back end.

Akin will start Sunday's game against the Athletics, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Akin served as an opener three times last season will do so again Sunday for the first time in 2026. He's surrendered seven earned runs with a 5:0 K:BB across his first 5.2 innings of the season. Chris Bassitt is expected to follow as the primary pitcher.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Though he's been one of six Twins pitchers to record a save this season and leads the club with six holds, Funderburk will wind up losing his spot in the bullpen as his control continued to slip. He has a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings but a more unsightly 1.38 WHIP and 10:13 K:BB on the season. The Twins recalled left-hander Kendry Rojas from Triple-A to bolster the bullpen.

Bradford (elbow) began throwing from 60 feet during the Rangers' most recent homestand, MLB.com reports

Bradford made one rehab start early in April but was shut down soon after. Now that he's throwing again, the Rangers are estimating he could return by late June.

Baumler (intercostal) has been shut down from his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Baumler made three appearances while on his rehab assignment but experienced a setback and hasn't pitched since April 28. It's unclear when the right-hander will restart a throwing program.

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

The 28-year-old fired a scoreless inning while briefly up with the Orioles in April and will now take the roster spot of Lou Trivino, who was designated for assignment Sunday. Espada has struggled at Norfolk early this year with a 5.68 ERA and 9:12 K:BB over 12.2 innings, so he's likely to be limited to low-leverage work for Baltimore.