MLB Player News

The Astros recalled Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

Murray has given up just one earned run over six innings to begin the season in Triple-A and will presumably take on a middle-relief role now that he's with Houston. J.P. France was optioned to Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

The Astros optioned France to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

France was promoted from Sugar Land on Friday but will now head back to the minors after giving up four earned runs in just 2.2 innings during his appearance against Seattle. Jayden Murray was recalled in a corresponding move to fill the void in Houston's bullpen.

Ryan (2-1) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out five across seven innings.

Ryan gave up a two-run home run to Daulton Varsho in the first inning, putting the Twins in an early hole. However, Ryan rebounded to keep the Blue Jays off the board over the next six frames, and he came away with the win thanks to his teammates' seven-run third inning. The right-hander recorded 65 strikes on 91 pitches (71.4 percent) while inducing eight groundouts and 10 whiffs. It was Ryan's second consecutive win and first quality start in four outings this year. He'll look to make it three wins in a row in his next start, which is slated for next week at home against the Reds.

Lauer (1-2) took the loss against the Twins on Saturday, allowing seven runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings.

All seven of the runs Lauer gave up during Saturday's contest came in the third inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Brooks Lee and a three-run long shot from Trevor Larnach. Lauer ended up staying in the ball game before being pulled in the sixth in order to give the Blue Jays' bullpen some rest, tossing 95 pitches (53 strikes) while generating only five whiffs and two groundouts. Lauer has struggled to open the 2026 regular season, and through three starts he has yielded 11 earned runs on 11 hits and nine walks while striking out 12 over 12.2 frames. He's slated to start next weekend on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Klassen was removed from his start Saturday against the Reds with a right index fingernail contusion.

Klassen coughed up five earned runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two batters over two-plus innings before one of the Angels' trainers came out to examine the right-hander's finger. It's unknown whether he'll make his next start, but the Angels should provide some clarity in the near future.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said that Strider (oblique) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Strider was placed on the injured list shortly before Opening Day due to an oblique strain he suffered near the end of spring training. After throwing a live batting practice session Saturday without issue, Strider has now received the green light to begin pitching in minor-league games. Atlanta's goal is to have Strider throw roughly 40-to-45 pitches during his first rehab outing and build him up his count over multiple starts before returning from the IL, likely in late April or early May.

Imai returned to Houston on Saturday and will be examined by team physicians while he contends with right arm fatigue, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Imai is the third Astros starting pitcher to leave Houston's road trip early, with Hunter Brown (shoulder) and Cristian Javier (shoulder) both returning to Houston after landing on the 15-day injured list within the past week. The Houston rotation is beginning to look thin, with Mike Burrows and Lance McCullers currently representing the only starters without an injury designation. Imai sits on a 7.27 ERA through 8.2 innings this season, and the Astros should provide an update on the 27-year-old once he undergoes further testing. For now, his availability for his next turn through the rotation -- which is projected to fall during the Astros' upcoming home series versus the Rockies -- is up in the air.

Rojas (hamstring) was activated from Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Rojas opened the season on the 7-day IL due to a hamstring injury. He made his lone rehab outing with Single-A Fort Myers on April 4, when he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 1.1 innings. Rojas has progressed enough in his recovery to return to Triple-A.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rodriguez opened the season on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. He has steadily increased his throwing distance off flat ground, but Saturday will mark his first throwing session on the mound. Rodriguez will likely need to throw multiple bullpen sessions before being cleared to embark on a rehab assignment.

The Rays transferred Rasmussen (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Saturday.

The move gives Rasmussen the option of spending an extra day away from the team, though he's still slated to start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Jesse Scholtens was recalled from Triple-A Durham to replenish the Rays' rotation after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL, and he could start Sunday if Rasmussen is not available.