MLB Player News

Little worked a perfect seventh inning Sunday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Orioles.

The 28-year-old left Friday's appearance with cramping in his left lat, but Little looked just fine a couple days later. He's been deployed as the top left-hander in the Blue Jays bullpen in the early going, a role which could lead to a significant holds total after he picked up eight over 49 appearances in 2024.

Gilbert (knee) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Gilbert began the season on the injured list with left knee bursitis but is ready to pitch in games again. He is eligible for activation April 11 and should be ready to serve in a long relief role at that time, barring setbacks.

The Royals placed Blanco on the 10-day injured list Monday due to right Achilles tendinopathy.

Despite not earning regular playing time at any point during the 2024 season, Blanco had some usefulness in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only leagues after accruing 31 stolen bases in just 131 plate appearances. Though Blanco was hampered by the Achilles issue for much of spring training, he made enough progress to win a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster. Despite going 2-for-2 on steal attempts in the Royals' season-opening series with the Guardians, Blanco apparently hasn't fully moved past the injury, so he'll be given some time off to heal. Kansas City will replace him on the 26-man active roster with infielder/outfielder Tyler Tolbert, another speed merchant who could see ample use off the bench as a pinch runner.

Rodriguez picked up his first hold of the season in Sunday's win over the Orioles, giving up one hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth inning.

The right-hander is considered the favorite to step into the rotation for Max Scherzer (thumb) on Friday, and the 16 pitches (10 strikes) Rodriguez threw Sunday shouldn't impact his availability. His high-leverage usage was unexpected, but it came after Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandlin had worked Thursday and Friday, while Chad Green was on the bump Thursday and Saturday. If the Jays continue to lean heavily on their late-inning relief arms during the week and decide to keep Rodriguez in that role, Easton Lucas could get Friday's start instead. Jake Bloss -- who is currently scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Triple-A Buffalo -- might also be an option if he gets scratched, or the game gets rained out.

Rojas (toe) is not close to beginning a rehab assignment, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The veteran infielder is working his way back from a hairline fracture in his right big toe. While Rojas is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list Friday, he looks like he'll need more time before making his season debut. Once healthy, Rojas is in line to serve as the White Sox's regular second baseman.

Tauchman (hamstring) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Tauchman is working his way back from a mid-March right hamstring strain. He is eligible for activation Friday and it would appear he should be ready to go then if he can avoid setbacks. Tauchman is projected for regular starts in right field against right-handed pitching.

The Royals selected Tolbert's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

The 27-year-old Tolbert stole 48 bases in 53 attempts between stops at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Omaha in 2024, but he struggled at the dish with both affiliates, slashing a combined .240/.323/.323 over 554 plate appearances. He stuck around in big-league spring training longer than anticipated after providing an .887 OPS over 19 Cactus League games, and he'll now get his first call-up to the majors while the Royals look to add some speed to the bench in place of Dairon Blanco (Achilles), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. Tolbert likely won't see regular at-bats but could prove to be a useful weapon as a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that he's hopeful Suarez's (shoulder) stint on the 15-day injured list won't be long, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Hyde revealed that Suarez first began experiencing right shoulder discomfort toward the end of spring training and was having trouble getting loose, necessitating placement on the IL Sunday. Suarez is receiving treatment and it sounds like he could be back when first eligible or close to it.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that Henderson (intercostal) is on track to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Thursday versus the Red Sox, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Henderson has played three rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk, going 4-for-12 with a home run. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his right intercostal strain, the 23-year-old will make his season debut during Thursday's series finale against Boston.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that he expects Cowser to be out "probably 6-to-8 weeks minimum" after the outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a fractured left thumb, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cowser suffered structural damage to his thumb while he slid into first base during Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays. The Orioles recalled Dylan Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk to provide extra coverage in the outfield while Cowser is out, but Heston Kjerstad appears to be the most likely candidate to earn regular playing time -- at least against right-handed pitching -- over the next several weeks. Hyde didn't say whether or not Cowser would require surgery on his thumb.