MLB Player News

Lauer (1-0) earned the win against the Athletics on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Lauer allowed a two-run homer in the fifth inning but was otherwise fantastic, generating a whopping 17 whiffs on 87 pitches. The 30-year-old got the nod with Trey Yesavage (shoulder) opening the year on the injured list and certainly made a strong case to stick in the rotation for now. He posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 102:26 K:BB across 104.2 regular-season innings in 2025 and tentatively lines up for a road matchup against the White Sox next weekend.

Lugo (1-0) earned the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing five hits over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

It was a strong start to the year for Lugo, who held Atlanta to a lone extra-base hit en route to the Royals' first win this season. Lugo is looking to turn things around after an up-and-down 2025 campaign where he finished 8-7 with 125 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA, his highest in five seasons. Lugo is tentatively scheduled to face the Brewers at home in his next outing.

Hoffman earned the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Athletics, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hoffman was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and threw nine of 10 pitches for strikes to slam the door. It was a nice rebound after the 33-year-old blew his first save chance Friday, and he's racked up six punchouts through two appearances this season.

Okamoto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

Okamoto put the Blue Jays up 4-0 with a 420-foot blast off Luis Morales in the fourth inning. The 29-year-old has carried a successful spring into his first major-league regular season, hitting safely in each of his first three contests. He totaled 248 homers across 11 seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and should be a key power bat in the heart of Toronto's lineup moving forward.

Erceg converted a save in Sunday's 4-1 win over Atlanta, striking out one batter while allowing a base hit over a scoreless inning. inducing a game-ending double play ball.

Erceg was pitching on back-to-back days, but threw only 12 pitches on Saturday. Teammate Carlos Estevez blew the save Saturday in spectacular fashion and was unavailable to pitch due to an ankle injury, but he had diminished velocity throughout the spring, and manager Matt Quatraro suggested prior to Sunday's game that Estevez might be on shaky ground as the team's closer. After delivering a relatively stress-free save chance that culminated in a game-ending double play, Erceg is worthy of rostering on speculation in the event he ends up displacing the struggling Estevez in the ninth inning on a more permanent basis.

Hoskins isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Hoskins will sit down for a second consecutive game after going 3-for-6 with two walks and a run scored over the first two games of the series. Kyle Manzardo will start at first base while Hoskins sits, putting Jose Ramirez in the DH spot and Daniel Schneemann at third base.

Song (oblique) has gone 3-for-7 with two RBI through two rehab games with Triple-A El Paso.

Song aggravated an oblique issue in early March and opened the season on the 10-day IL. However, the South Korean utility man seems to be doing well given that he's been able to both hit and play the field with El Paso. Song appears to be on track to be activated by mid-April, though he probably won't be an everyday player while with the big-league club.

Waldron (lower body) tossed three scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out three batters.

Waldron is currently on the major-league 15-day IL while he recovers from hemorrhoid surgery. The knuckleballer threw 37 pitches (25 strikes) in Friday's rehab appearance, so he seems to be progressing well. Waldron will likely serve as a long reliever out of the Padres' bullpen once he's activated.

Hernandez (elbow) took on-field batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Hernandez underwent left elbow surgery in mid-November and is currently on the 60-day IL. Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the utility man is progressing well and indicated that he would be "shocked" if Hernandez isn't ready to return when first eligible. Once he's activated, Hernandez isn't likely to be an everyday player, but he'll give the Dodgers positional versatility with his ability to play nearly everywhere in the infield and outfield.

Edman (ankle) took on-field batting practice Saturday and is progressing well, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Edman is currently on the 10-day IL as he works his way back from the right ankle surgery he underwent in mid-November. Manager Dave Roberts had previously said the infielder/outfielder is likely to return in late May, though he indicated Saturday that there is a possibility Edman will be back sooner. When he does get back in action, Edman is slated to spend most of his time at second base, where he could start frequently.