MLB Player News

Hernandez has a 1.29 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 15:1 K:BB in seven innings through his first two starts for Single-A Bradenton.

He has a comical 56.0 K-BB% and shouldn't be at Single-A much longer. Hernandez looks the part of a future ace, he just needs to stay healthy on what could be a relatively quick path to the majors, relative to other prep pitchers. Already 19 and turning 20 in June, Hernandez is on track to reach High-A and Double-A before the end of his first pro season.

Williams (elbow) began pitching off a mound at the Nationals' spring training complex this weekend, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander continues to rehab from elbow surgery with an internal brace procedure performed last July. Williams is on the 60-day IL and won't be eligible to make his 2026 debut until late May, but it's not yet clear if that's a realistic timeline. Over 82.2 innings and 17 starts in 2025, Williams stumbled to a 6.21 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB.

Gray (elbow) continues to do strengthening and stability work and has yet to resume a throwing program as the Nationals exercise a great degree of caution with the right-hander, MLB.com reports.

Gray hasn't pitched in a big-league game since April 2024, missing most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, and a flexor strain at the end of spring training derailed any chance he had of being in the Opening Day rotation. The 28-year-old won't be eligible to come off the 60-day IL until late May, but given how slowly the organization is proceeding with him following his latest setback, it's not clear if that's even a realistic timeline for Gray.

Varland struck out the side in a perfect seventh inning during Sunday's loss to the Twins.

It wasn't a particularly high-leverage situation as the Blue Jays were down 8-1 when he took the mound, but Varland still fired 11 of 16 pitches for strikes in another impressive outing. Through eight appearances and nine innings to begin the year, the right-hander has a 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB with two holds.

Suarez has made his last two appearances out of the Atlanta bullpen, yielding three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four batters across 2.2 innings.

After the Atlanta rotation was hit hard by injuries in spring training, Suarez was called upon to start the club's fifth game of the season back on March 31. However, after getting roughed up for four earned runs in 3.2 innings in a loss to the Athletics, Suarez ended up moved to the bullpen while Atlanta turned to Martin Perez as its new fifth starter. Though Perez has since been designated for assignment, Suarez may not be next in line to fill the open rotation spot. Instead, Atlanta may be inclined to turn to either Didier Fuentes or JR Ritchie -- both of whom have gotten off to excellent starts at Triple-A Gwinnett -- to step into the fifth starter's role.

Dollander yielded one earned run on one hit over one inning of relief in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.

Dollander has made all four of his appearances out of the bullpen this season, but he served as the de facto fifth starter for Colorado in his previous outing, covering 4.1 innings behind opener Jimmy Herget in the Rockies' 7-3 loss to San Diego on Thursday. The right-hander worked in a more traditional relief role Sunday, helping the Rockies get through the series finale after starter Kyle Freeland (shoulder) was scratched shortly before opening pitch. Assuming Freeland is able to make his next turn, Dollander appears likely to remain in the bullpen moving forward. The Rockies still have an opening for a fifth starter, but Jose Quintana (hamstring) could be ready to return from the injured list as soon as Wednesday to fill the void.

The Rockies optioned Bellozo to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

After starter Kyle Freeland (shoulder) was scratched shortly before opening pitch, the Rockies ended up going with a bullpen game during Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Padres. Bellozo took on the brunt of the work for Colorado, covering 4.1 innings and yielding five earned runs on eight hits and four walks. Since Bellozo wasn't going to be available for the next few days after the 90-pitch appearance, the Rockies will send him back to Triple-A and will presumably call up another pitcher to replace him in the bullpen.

Tolle allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six over five scoreless innings for Triple-A Worcester in a win over Columbus on Sunday.

Tolle breezed through his third start of the season and broke three Columbus bats in posting a second consecutive win. He was rocked in his first start for the WooSox but has shined since. After giving up six runs (four earned) over four innings in his season debut, the left-hander has allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out 13 over 11 innings in two subsequent outings. Boston's rotation, which had a rough first 10 games to start the season, just completed an encouraging turn, so it doesn't look like Tolle will be heading east to Boston in the short term.

Crawford (wrist) allowed five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Crawford began a rehab assignment with notable rust, but it wasn't all bad for the right-hander. He gave up three home runs, but was around the zone (43 strikes among 60 pitches). The Red Sox are expected to use up all the rehab time available to evaluate Crawford, who last pitched in 2024, before making a decision as to his next step.

Atlanta optioned Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Dodd spun three scoreless frames to pick up a save in Sunday's win over the Guardians, but Atlanta will send him down and replace him with a fresh bullpen arm. The lefty should get another chance with the big club later this summer.