MLB Player News

Pirates manager Don Kelly said Thursday that Mlodzinski has been moved to the bullpen, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Mlodzinski has held his own as a member of the Pirates rotation this season, collecting a 3.76 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB over 55 innings. However, with the right-hander having significant relief experience and the Pirates needing bullpen help from the right side, it makes sense to shift Mlodzinski to a relief role to accommodate the return of Jared Jones (elbow), who will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Twins.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said Thursday that Jones (elbow) will return from the 60-day injured list and start Friday's game against the Twins at PNC Park, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Jones will be making his first appearance at the big-league level since he underwent UCL surgery last May. The right-hander looked sharp in five rehab starts, logging a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He went 4.1 frames and threw 76 pitches in his most recent outing with Triple-A Indianapolis last weekend, so while Jones should be able to reach five innings Friday if he pitches efficiently, he shouldn't be expected to work much longer than that. Expect the Pirates to manage Jones' workload after he missed all of the 2025 campaign.

Gordon is slated to start Sunday against the Giants at Coors Field.

Gordon will receive another turn through the Colorado rotation after he was able to hold his own in his first start of the season Monday in a road matchup with the Dodgers. He limited one of the majors' top offenses to one run on six hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings, taking a no-decision in the Rockies' eventual 5-3 loss. The 28-year-old righty owns a 6.78 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 142 career innings in the big leagues, so despite getting a favorable matchup versus a weak Giants lineup in his second start, he'll be tough to trust at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Blue Jays transferred Estrada (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

Estrada has been on the shelf since early April due to a right shoulder impingement, and though an official timeline for his return hasn't been established, he won't be available for the Blue Jays until at least June 4 now that he's on the 60-day IL. He'll also give up his place on the 40-man roster to infielder Charles McAdoo, who was called up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.

The Marlins signed Willingham to a minor-league contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Willingham began the 2026 season at Triple-A Sugar Land in the Astros organization, but he was released after posting a 3.38 ERA but a 9:11 K:BB over 13.1 innings. The 27-year-old holds a 7.11 ERA in 19 relief outings at the big-league level and will give the Marlins an experienced bullpen arm at Triple-A Jacksonville.

The Blue Jays selected McAdoo's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

With Lenyn Sosa (wrist) headed for the injured list, the Blue Jays will turn to McAdoo to fill in as infield depth. The 24-year-old has slashed .250/.357/.432 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 31 runs and seven steals through 50 games at Buffalo, and he'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

The Red Sox recalled Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

He'll slide into the roster spot vacated by the injured Garrett Whitlock (knee). Samaniego has posted a 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB in 17.1 innings this season out of Boston's bullpen.

The Blue Jays placed Sosa on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right wrist contusion, retroactive to Wednesday.

Sosa sat out Toronto's game Tuesday after getting hit on the wrist by a pitch Monday, and he'll now have to miss at least nine more days after being placed on the injured list. Charles McAdoo was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move to replenish the Jays' infield depth.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left knee inflammation, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock had been unavailable to pitch the last few days after hurting his knee on a wet mound during his last appearance Sunday versus the Twins. The Red Sox wanted to give him time to improve in hopes that he could avoid the injured list, but an IL stint was ultimately deemed necessary. Tyler Samaniego is absorbing Whitlock's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

The Nationals activated Henry (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Henry has been out since mid-April with a right rotator cuff strain. He yielded two runs (one earned) with a 4:1 K:BB over five rehab innings with Triple-A Rochester and averaged 94.1 mph with his four-seamer, which is up a bit from his 93.7 mph average before he got hurt. Henry could work his way into high-leverage spots in the Nationals' bullpen, but he will likely pitch in middle relief initially.