MLB Player News

Hoffman picked up the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Rangers after throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.

It was Hoffman's fourth spotless outing in his last five appearances, as he continues to recover from several implosions in May. His ERA still stands at 13.00 in nine innings this month, but the hard-throwing right-hander does sport a 13:5 K:BB during this stretch and continues to operate as Toronto's clear-cut closer despite his struggles. With Yimi Garcia (shoulder) and Nick Sandlin (lat) both on the injured list, the Blue Jays are depending on Hoffman even more for ninth-inning work.

Estevez notched the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Reds after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

It was just the third time this season that Estevez worked more than one inning, and he was able to turn in his 12th scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances. The 32-year-old right-hander has successfully converted each of his 10 save chances during this span, boasting a 0.68 ERA and 13:1 K:BB over his last 13.1 innings. Estevez continues to solidify his grip on Kansas City's closing job, as he's now second in the American League with 15 saves in 2025.

Smith didn't factor into the decision during Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Mets, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

Smith failed to complete four innings for the first time this season, getting yanked after 86 pitches. All the damage against him came in the third, when he surrendered a three-run home run to Mark Vientos. Smith's lack of depth can be attributed to his shaky control, as he threw just 48 strikes and walked a season-high five batters. In his last three starts, Smith has allowed 12 runs (seven earned) with a 16:8 K:BB over 13.2 innings.

Tauchman went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-RBI double and a run scored during Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Mets.

Tauchman didn't have a double this season before Wednesday's contest, and the outing marked his second straight multi-hit game. Since being activated from the injured list May 23, the veteran outfielder has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with four RBI and seven runs scored.

Benintendi went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a two-RBI single, an RBI triple and an additional run scored during Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Mets.

Benintendi notched his first three-hit performance in 25 games and notched a season-high four RBI in the victory. The 30-year-old also logged his first triple since the 2023 campaign. In his last five games, Benintendi is 6-for-20 (.300) with seven RBI and three runs scored.

Povich (1-4) took the loss against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Povich opened with three scoreless frames before allowing five runs across the fourth and fifth innings. The southpaw matched a season high with nine strikeouts but struggled with his command, throwing just 56 of 96 pitches for strikes and allowing nine hard-hit balls. He'll carry a 5.29 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB across 51 innings into a road matchup with the Mariners next week.

Erceg was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Reds due to an illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Erceg's illness helps explain why he hasn't pitched since Saturday, especially since the Royals led by only two runs entering the eighth inning of Wednesday's contest but turned to John Schreiber rather than Erceg. The 30-year-old righty will have an extra day to recover during Kansas City's day off Thursday and could be back in action for the start of the weekend series against Detroit.

Cameron (2-1) tallied the win Wednesday against the Reds after allowing one run on six hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out two.

It was notably Cameron's fourth straight start to begin his major-league career in which he fired at least six innings while yielding one run or fewer. Although the rookie left-hander conceded a season-worst six hits and fanned a season-low two, none of his six knocks went for extra bases. Cameron will take an outstanding 1.05 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 25.2 frames into his next scheduled outing against the Cardinals, who have an unimposing .690 OPS versus left-handed pitching in the month of May.

Cruz (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cruz said afterward that his mound session went well, and he's expected to begin facing live hitters Saturday. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks over the next several days, he seems to be on track to return when eligible Tuesday.

Rafaela went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when he lofted a Freddy Peralta fastball just over the fence in left-center field. Rafaela ended a 26-game homer drought with the blast, his third of the year, while the three hits tied his season high. Through 25 contests in May, he's hitting .253 (21-for-83) with five RBI and 19 runs while routinely batting at the bottom of the Boston order.