MLB Player News

The Astros acquired Robertson from the Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for Edinson Batista, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Robertson had been booted from Toronto's 40-man roster and now will report to Triple-A Sugar Land, where he will provide relief depth for Houston. The 26-year-old has made 27 appearances at the major-league level, compiling a 5.30 ERA and 40:11 K:BB in 35.2 innings.

Diaz (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Diaz continues to work on his mechanics after they were thrown off following a hamstring injury. The reliever is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 8, but there has not been an established timetable for his return yet. Reds manager Terry Francona has indicated he would like Diaz to get his closer job back when he's healthy and his mechanics are in order. Emilio Pagan has recorded the Reds' lone save so far, while Ian Gibaut has a blown save.

Hahn re-signed Thursday with the Mariners on a minor-league deal.

After the Mariners released him March 23, Hahn was a free agent for just a few days before deciding to stick around in the organization as a depth arm out of the bullpen. He reported to Triple-A Tacoma and made his season debut Sunday, giving up one hit in a scoreless inning of relief.

Atlanta designated Chavez for assignment Tuesday.

The veteran right-hander inked a minor-league deal with Atlanta last week and had his contract selected from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, and he pitched later in the day versus the Dodgers, giving up a run on two hits and two walks over two innings. Chavez had a 3.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 46 appearances for Atlanta last season, but his stay on the big-league roster early this year was brief.

Mears (illness) was sent to Triple-A Nashville to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday.

Mears got a late start to the season due to an illness he caught during spring training that resulted in some weight loss. He's got his strength back now and should have a good shot to be activated from the 15-day injured list April 8 when first eligible.

Castro (elbow) struck out two batters over 1.1 perfect innings of relief Saturday in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 5-4 loss to Lehigh Valley.

Castro enters the 2025 season at full health after he didn't pitch in 2024 while completing his recovery from June 2023 Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old right-hander previously saw big-league action in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, making a combined 20 appearances between stops with the Giants and Cubs.

The Yankees signed Ottavino to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Ottavino failed to make the Red Sox's Opening Day roster after signing a minor-league contract, but he's now joined their rival on a big-league pact. The veteran reliever is absorbing the roster spot vacated by Devin Williams, who was placed on the paternity list. Ottavino held a 4.34 ERA and 70:23 K:BB over 56 innings for the Mets in 2024.

The Yankees placed Williams on the paternity list Tuesday.

Williams will be away from the Yankees for anywhere between one and three games while he welcomes a new addition to his family. He made his Yankees debut over the weekend against his former Brewers squad, notching a save Thursday during a rocky ninth inning in which he yielded one earned run on two hits and one walk wile striking out two batters. Luke Weaver could step in as the Yankees' interim closer during the team's three-game home series versus the Diamondbacks if Williams ends up missing all of those games.

Garcia struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Nationals.

Jeff Hoffman had pitched Saturday and Sunday, so Garcia got the call to protect a three-run lead Monday. The 34-year-old righty has been busy himself to begin the year, appearing in three of the Jays' first five games and posting a 4:0 K:BB over three scoreless innings. Garcia is locked into a high-leverage role and should see a handful of save opportunities the rest of the season when Hoffman is unavailable.

Walker walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning during Monday's 7-2 win over the Astros.

It wasn't a save situation, but it was still reassuring to see Walker on the mound after back tightness had him shut down over the weekend. Camilo Doval picked up a save Sunday in his absence, but Walker should get the bulk of the ninth-inning work for the Giants after a breakout 2024 campaign that saw him post a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 99:18 K:BB over 80 innings.