MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) threw another side session Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports, and per MLB.com the veteran reliever is close to beginning a rehab assignment.

Garcia hasn't pitched in a big-league game since July 2 of last season, eventually undergoing surgery on his elbow in September to clean up scar tissue from a prior procedure. He's in the final stages of his recovery, and the Blue Jays remain optimistic the right-hander will be able to rejoin the bullpen by the end of April. Once he's activated and shakes off the rust, Garcia will provide another high-leverage bridge to closer Jeff Hoffman.

Barger (ankles) was no longer wearing a walking boot this weekend, and the Blue Jays remain optimistic he'll only need a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list, per MLB.com.

The right fielder managed to sprain both his ankles, the left more seriously, while attempting to beat out a groundball and landing awkwardly on first base, and his IL stint was backdated to April 6. Barger's had a very slow start to the season at the plate, going 1-for-19 with his only hit being a double, but the Jays could use him back as quickly as possible with George Springer (toe) having suffered his own, more serious injury Saturday. Barger could be eased into the lineup at DH as a result once he's activated.

Yastrzemski went 1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and three strikeouts in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Six different Atlanta players recorded multiple hits in a 13-1 rout, but Yastrzemski instead led the team in a less helpful category, accounting for three of the five strikeouts by Cleveland pitchers on the night. The veteran slugger is still looking for his first homer of 2026, slashing .180/.293/.260 through 15 games with what would be a career-worst 27.6 percent strikeout rate, but for now his spot as the strong side of a platoon in left field doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Farmer went 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's rout of the Guardians.

The veteran utility infielder replaced Dominic Smith at DH in the fifth inning with Atlanta already ahead 6-0, and Farmer promptly ripped a two-run double off Kolby Allard. Farmer had only three plate appearances on the season coming into Sunday, and the team's managerial switch from Brian Snitker to Walt Weiss this offseason hasn't done much for the playing-time outlook of Atlanta's bench players.

Acuna went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

The star outfielder's RBI double capped a three-run second inning for Atlanta in what ended up being a 13-1 rout. Acuna has a sluggish start to the season, but he's found a groove over the last week or so, batting .323 (10-for-31) over the last seven games with three doubles, a triple, a homer, a steal, three runs and three RBI.

Suarez has made his last two appearances out of the Atlanta bullpen, yielding three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four batters across 2.2 innings.

After the Atlanta rotation was hit hard by injuries in spring training, Suarez was called upon to start the club's fifth game of the season back on March 31. However, after getting roughed up for four earned runs in 3.2 innings in a loss to the Athletics, Suarez ended up moved to the bullpen while Atlanta turned to Martin Perez as its new fifth starter. Though Perez has since been designated for assignment, Suarez may not be next in line to fill the open rotation spot. Instead, Atlanta may be inclined to turn to either Didier Fuentes or JR Ritchie -- both of whom have gotten off to excellent starts at Triple-A Gwinnett -- to step into the fifth starter's role.

The Reds are expected to recall Hinds from Triple-A Louisville prior to Tuesday's game against the Giants, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

He will take the roster spot vacated by Noelvi Marte, who has been optioned to Louisville. Hinds has earned the promotion following a monster start to the season with Louisville, having slashed .354/.475/.771 with five home runs, one stolen base and a 12:15 BB:K across 61 plate appearances. The 25-year-old has big power and speed upside, but the key for him will be making enough contact, as Hinds has struck out at a 38.9 percent clip during his time in the majors and a 31.4 percent rate at the Triple-A level. With Marte in the minors, Hinds and Will Benson are in line to see the bulk of the playing time in right field for Cincinnati.

The Reds optioned Marte to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Marte's playing time has been unsteady early on in the season and he hasn't helped himself with his performance, slashing just .138/.194/.138 with zero RBI and a 2:10 BB:K. The 24-year-old will try to get back on track at Louisville and should get another opportunity with the big club later this summer. Rece Hinds is taking Marte's spot on the roster and will get playing time in right field along with Will Benson.

Dollander yielded one earned run on one hit over one inning of relief in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.

Dollander has made all four of his appearances out of the bullpen this season, but he served as the de facto fifth starter for Colorado in his previous outing, covering 4.1 innings behind opener Jimmy Herget in the Rockies' 7-3 loss to San Diego on Thursday. The right-hander worked in a more traditional relief role Sunday, helping the Rockies get through the series finale after starter Kyle Freeland (shoulder) was scratched shortly before opening pitch. Assuming Freeland is able to make his next turn, Dollander appears likely to remain in the bullpen moving forward. The Rockies still have an opening for a fifth starter, but Jose Quintana (hamstring) could be ready to return from the injured list as soon as Wednesday to fill the void.

The Rockies optioned Bellozo to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

After starter Kyle Freeland (shoulder) was scratched shortly before opening pitch, the Rockies ended up going with a bullpen game during Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Padres. Bellozo took on the brunt of the work for Colorado, covering 4.1 innings and yielding five earned runs on eight hits and four walks. Since Bellozo wasn't going to be available for the next few days after the 90-pitch appearance, the Rockies will send him back to Triple-A and will presumably call up another pitcher to replace him in the bullpen.