MLB Player News

The 28-year-old hurler was originally a 33rd round selection by the Mariners from the 2019 draft class. He joined the Pirates prior to the 2025 season where he went on to post a 3.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 77/16 K/BB ratio over 77 innings across three minor league levels, finishing up with 23 frames at Triple-A Indianapolis. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Bucs and could finally break through for his big league debut during the 2026 campaign.

Thornton joins Chicago’s relief mix for Wednesday’s game against the Reds with starter Matthew Boyd (knee) hitting the injured list. The 32-year-old journeyman has made 235 career appearances in the big leagues since 2019. He’s posted a respectable 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa this season.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters earlier on Wednesday that Boyd will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee that he suffered while playing with his kids at home. The 35-year-old left-hander was scheduled to take the ball on Friday against the Rangers. He’s facing an extended absence. There should be an update on his status following the procedure.

Barnes loses his spot on Chicago’s 40-man roster with reliever Trent Thornton coming up from Triple-A Iowa. The 30-year-old lefty made one relief appearance for the Cubs last month.

Valdez presumably agreed to drop his pending appeal and take a reduced suspension from the league. The 32-year-old southpaw will not be eligible to pitch again until Wednesday, May 13 against the Mets. He was slated to take the ball against the Royals on Sunday. Detroit will not be able to replace him on their roster during his absence. He received the five-game ban for throwing at Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story after coughing up back-to-back homers during an ugly meltdown on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.

Not good. Estévez’s fastball velocity was down noticeably, just like it was all throughout spring training, as he averaged just 90 mph on six fastball before leaving his rehab debut after 14 pitches. There’s clearly something going on here and the emergence of a shoulder issue helps explain his diminished velocity over the last few months. There should be an update on his status soon, but it doesn’t sound like Estévez is close to returning after this latest incident. It’ll be Lucas Erceg continuing to close for Kansas City.

Alexander retreats to the minors after allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings in long relief during Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Dodgers after starter Lance McCullers Jr. left the contest with a finger injury. The move frees up a spot for Houston to bring up a fresh arm for Friday’s series opener against the Reds.

The procedural move opens up a spot on the Athletics’ 40-man roster for recently promoted journeyman reliever Brooks Kriske. The 32-year-old reliever has made 105 appearances in the big leagues over the last three years, posting a respectable 4.47 ERA and 117/58 K/BB ratio across 110 2/3 innings during that span.

Roberts added that Glasnow will undergo a precautionary MRI to rule out anything serious after he experienced back spasms that led to his removal from Wednesday’s start against the Astros after just one inning. There should be a clearer idea of his status at some point later this week, but early indications are that Glasnow will make his next start against the Giants next Wednesday.

Pages had a three-run homer off Lance McCullers Jr. in the third, a two-run blast off Jason Alexander in the fifth and then a solo shot off catcher Cesar Salazar in the ninth. He joins teammate Max Muncy as the only players with three-homer games this year. It’s his third career mulithomer game, and he bested his previous high for RBI by two. He’s batting .336 with eight homers on the season.

Ohtani had gone hitless in five straight games, which was likely part of why he wasn’t asked to hit in his mound start last night. The encouraging development from him lately is that he’s 5-for-5 stealing bases in his last 13 games. He never attempted any in his first 20 games.