The offseason and spring training are behind us, but there’s plenty of MLB news left to cover.
Here are the noteworthy transactions, injuries and more from the 2026 season.
April 24
Jeff Hoffman out of closer role
The Toronto Blue Jays are moving Hoffman out of the closer’s role, general manager Ross Atkins said before Friday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
“In the short term, we are going to share that responsibility,” Atkins said.
Hoffman is 1-2 with three saves in six chances and a 7.59 ERA in 12 games this season, his second with Toronto. The right-hander came on for the save in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. He struck out Zach Neto to begin the inning, but the next four batters reached safely, with two of them hit by pitches. Louis Varland replaced Hoffman and got Nolan Schanuel to ground into a game-ending double play.
Varland and sidearming right-hander Tyler Rogers are among the candidates to close games for the Blue Jays. Hoffman signed a $33 million, three-year contract with Toronto in January 2025. He was a first-time All-Star with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024.
April 23
Mets receive negative news on Francisco Lindor
Hours after shortstop Francisco Lindor was placed on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain, New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza offered another update, saying Lindor will be out “quite a bit.” His stint on the injured list will likely last longer than the 10-day minimum. It puts a damper on an exciting Wednesday night for New York, who had got Juan Soto back from injury and broke its 12-game losing streak.
The Mets called up Ronny Muricio to increase their depth in the middle of the infield.
Phillies release RHP Walker in last year of deal
The slumping Philadelphia Phillies released veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker before Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs and recalled righty Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Walker, in his 14th major league season, exited the Phillies clubhouse a couple of hours before Thursday’s contest. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract.
The 33-year-old Walker was an All-Star with the New York Mets in 2021 and peaked with a 15-6 record and 4.38 ERA with Philadelphia in 2023. But he’s slid ever since, starting 2026 at 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA in five games, and has a combined 9-19 record with a 5.67 ERA over the past three seasons.
Walker gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings in starting and taking the loss at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. With ace Zack Wheeler set to return on Saturday, Walker was bumped out of the Phillies rotation.
Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, said the team tried to trade Walker’s contract “various times,” but found no takers.
“We know and he knows that he gave every effort that he possibly could to try to get people out and it just wasn’t working,” Dombrowski added. “Maybe a change of scenery will help him.’
“He’s one of the best teammates and one of the best people I’ve been around,’ manager Rob Thomson said. “This guy’s a pro, performance aside.
April 22
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson safe for now
Dave Dombrowski says he’s looking at “everything that’s taking place” with Philadelphia’s poor start to the season, and he has no immediate concerns about Rob Thomson being the manager to get the Phillies back to the World Series.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a 7-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night — Philadelphia’s seventh loss in a row — the Phillies’ president of baseball operations stood behind Thomson’s work and said he’s been a good manager since replacing Joe Girardi in 2022.
“Generally, I’ve said about 40 games of the season is when you start to say, ‘OK, where are we shaping up? Guys have had enough time,’” Dombrowski said. “But there’s no magic in that number. Sometimes it’s a little bit more, sometimes it’s a little bit less. They’re not happy with their performances.
“I’m responsible for putting the club on the field, so I’m not happy with the way it’s going.”
The Phillies were 8-15 entering Wednesday night’s game against the Cubs, the second-worst record in the National League behind the New York Mets. Philadelphia has lost eight of its last 10 games.
“We just haven’t played very well,” Dombrowski said, adding that some individual players have played fine, but “as a group, I don’t think any part of our team has excelled.”
Lucas Giolito signs
The 31-year-old starting pitcher has signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, the team announced. Giolito’s contract includes a mutual option for 2027.
Giolito, a 2019 All-Star, spent the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox, posting a 3.41 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, 2.1 wins above replacement and a 118 ERA+ over 26 regular-season starts. The Padres, who are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB at 16-7, are 11th in MLB with a 3.53 ERA starting rotation ERA.
Giolito has also played parts of nine seasons in the majors for Washington, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland, going 71-66, with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
He has been durable and dependable for most of his career while earning an All-Star selection in 2019 and throwing a no-hitter in 2020. Despite missing a season because of injury, he ranks in the top five among AL pitchers from 2018-25 in innings pitched (1,092), strikeouts (1,153), wins (68) and complete games (5).
But Giolito remained on the free agent market nearly one month into the regular season before landing with the Padres, who are pitching superbly this season despite major upheaval and injury problems in their rotation.
Opening day starter Nick Pivetta went on the injured list last week with a right elbow flexor strain that could keep him out for months, while Joe Musgrove has yet to make his season debut after a slower-than-expected return from Tommy John surgery. Yu Darvish already is out for the season with an elbow injury, and Dylan Cease left last fall for a $210 million free-agent deal with Toronto.
Giolito will slot immediately into a rotation that currently includes Michael King, Randy Vasquez, German Marquez and former Dodgers star Walker Buehler.
April 21
Adley Rutschman activated
The Baltimore Orioles reinstated their star catcher from the injured list before their Tuesday night road game against the Kansas City Royals. Rutschman hasn’t played since April 10 because of left ankle inflammation. He hit .294 with six doubles in his first 10 games of the season. The Orioles designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment.
Rutschman, a two-time All-Star, is coming off his worst season at the plate. He hit .220 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs last year and played only 90 games.
Red Sox place Gray on IL
The Boston Red Sox placed right-hander Sonny Gray on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a right hamstring strain and recalled lefty Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester to replace him on the roster.
Gray lasted just 2 2/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers on Monday, giving up one run on three hits before experiencing discomfort in his right leg. He said after the game he had similar problems in 2022 and ’24.
“I kind of knew what it was,” he said. “It just happens every now and then. It’s just something that I’m always having to monitor since the first time it happened.”
Gray, 36, is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five starts this season. He is 127-103 with a 3.59 ERA in a 14-year career with six teams.
Samaniego, 27, made his major league debut on April 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers and appeared in three games for the Red Sox, throwing 3 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings. He is 10-8 with a 3.89 ERA over six minor league seasons.
April 20
Dodgers’ Díaz set to undergo right elbow surgery, three-month absence expected
The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a strong start to the season at 15-6, but they are set to lose one of their biggest offseason additions. All-Star reliever Edwin Díaz will undergo right elbow surgery that is expected to sideline him for around three months, according to ESPN. The procedure will be to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
After signing a three-year, $69 million deal this offseason, Díaz seemingly struggled to find his footing in just six innings out of the bullpen this season. He recorded just four saves and 10 strikeouts while posting a 10.50 ERA prior to the injury.
April 16
Gerrit Cole beginning rehab assignment
The New York Yankees’ superstar right-hander, who won the 2023 American League Cy Young Award, will make a rehab start for the team’s Double-A affiliate on Apr. 17, manager Aaron Boone announced on Apr. 15. Cole, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, hasn’t pitched in an MLB game — excluding spring training — since the 2024 World Series due to the aforementioned elbow injury.
New York’s starting rotation entered Apr. 16 fourth in MLB in ERA (3.12) and WHIP (1.04), tied for fifth in strikeouts (105) and tied for seventh in opponent batting average (.214). The Yankees, who are in second place in the AL East at 10-8, are also without left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow and hamstring) and right-hander Clarke Schmidt (elbow). Cole, a six-time All-Star, will turn 36 in September.
April 15
Kevin McGonigle inks huge deal
The Tigers announced Wednesday they have agreed to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension with rookie infield McGonigle. The 21-year-old made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster and is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the sport by MLB Pipeline. The deal begins next season and carries through 2034, covering his final five seasons of club control and his first three years that he would have been eligible for free agency. The $150 million is guaranteed and the deal includes contract escalators for the final three seasons that could raise the value to a maximum of $160 million.
McGonigle will earn guaranteed salaries of $1 million in 2027, $7 million in 2028, $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031 and $23 million in the 2032, 2033 and 2034 seasons. The contract escalators could increase his 2032 maximum base salary to $25 million, his 2033 maximum to $26 million and his 2034 maximum to $28 million. The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus and a $5 million bonus each time the contract is assigned to another major league team. Through 17 games, McGonigle has totaled one home run and eight RBIs, while boasting a .311/.417/.492 slash line. He has made nine starts at third base and seven at shortstop. Last season (2025), across three levels of minor-league ball (A, A+ and Double-A), McGonigle totaled 19 home runs and 80 RBIs across 88 games, while recording a combined .305/.408/.583 slash line. McGonigle never appeared in Triple-A ball.
April 14
Giolito drawing interest from Cubs, Padres
Former All-Star starting pitcher Lucas Giolito remains a free agent midway through April, but multiple teams – like the Cubs, Padres and others – are eyeing him as an addition to their staff, per The Athletic.
The Cubs have two rotation members on the IL already, in Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, and while Boyd should return from his strained biceps soon, Horton’s season might be over thanks to potential elbow surgery. The Padres, meanwhile, removed Nick Pivetta from Sunday’s start against the Rockies with right elbow stiffness, which will likely result in, at least, a stint on the IL.
Giolito missed the 2024 season recovering from a partial Tommy John surgery with an internal brace procedure, but returned in 2025 to produce a 3.41 ERA across 26 starts with the Red Sox. The veteran right-hander struggled early, but as he shook off the rust posted a 2.51 over his last 19 starts and 111.1 innings, with 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He rejected a $19 million option for 2026 with Boston, making him a free agent, but has been unable to secure a deal since.
White Sox prospect Schultz to debut
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Noah Schultz is scheduled to make his major league debut in a start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night following his recall from Triple-A Charlotte.
Schultz, a 6-foot-10, 22-year-old left-hander, was 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three games and 14 innings in with Charlotte. He permitted only six baserunners while striking out 19 of 47 batters. Schultz is rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the White Sox organization and No. 21 overall.
The White Sox selected Schultz in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2022 MLB Draft. The Chicago-area native is a graduate of Oswego (Illinois) East High School, about 40 miles west of Rate Field.
At 22 years and 252 days old, Schultz will be the youngest starting pitcher to debut with the White Sox since Michael Kopech (22 years, 113 days) on Aug. 21, 2018, against Minnesota.
The White Sox also brought back outfielder Everson Pereira from a rehab assignment at Charlotte on Tuesday and reinstated him from the 10-day injured list. Chicago placed right-hander Jonathan Cannon on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 13) with right hip inflammation.
Pereira, 24, went on the injured list on April 5 (retroactive to April 3) with a left ankle sprain. He’s batting .250 with a home run, RBI and three runs scored in five games. Pereira was acquired from Tampa Bay on Nov. 18, 2025.
Christian Yelich to IL
The Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly placed Yelich on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain. Yelich was removed from Milwaukee’s Sunday afternoon matchup against the Washington Nationals due to the aforementioned injury.
Through 15 games this season, Yelich has totaled one home run, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases, while owning a .314/.375/.451 slash line as Milwaukee’s primary designated hitter. Last season, the three-time Silver Slugger totaled 29 home runs and 103 RBIs.
April 13
Astros place Pena, Imai on IL
The Astros placed All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pena on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain and rookie right-hander Tatsuya Imai on the 15-day IL with right arm fatigue Monday. The pair of moves were the latest blows to last-place Houston’s roster, which has endured an abundance of injuries early in the season.
“We’ll get through this,” manager Joe Espada said. “But, I’m doing well. I just don’t like when our players are injured. They work really hard in the offseason to come back in shape, and expectations are for us to go out there and perform and get back to the postseason, and this makes it tough to have our guys getting banged up. But, we’ll fight through this.”
Espada said he hopes it’s not a long IL stint for Peña, and that Imai will undergo more testing after returning to Houston.
In corresponding moves, the Astros recalled right-hander J.P. France, left-hander Colton Gordon and infielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land. Right-hander Jayden Murray was optioned to Sugar Land after pitching two innings and allowing two earned runs in Sunday’s game.
Yankees return Winquest to Cardinals
Cade Winquest’s New York Yankees career ended without him throwing a pitch that counted.
New York returned the 25-year-old right-hander to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, three days after he was designated for assignment.
Winquest was selected from St. Louis during the Rule 5 draft at December’s winter meetings and became the Yankees’ first Rule 5 player to make the opening day roster since infielder Josh Phelps in 2007. He didn’t get into any regular-season games.
St. Louis paid $50,000 for Winquest after the Yankees paid $100,000 to select him at the draft.
He went 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA over nine spring training appearances. An eighth-round pick by the Cardinals in the 2022 amateur draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington, he was in the St. Louis farm system from 2023-25.
April 12
Blue Jays OF George Springer heads to IL
The Toronto Blue Jays will be without outfielder George Springer for an extended period of time after he suffered a big toe fracture. He sustained the injury on Saturday afternoon in the third inning of a 7-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Manager John Schneider said after the game that Springer underwent X-rays at the stadium and is also scheduled for a CT scan. Springer will head to the 10-day injured list.
“It will look a little bit different if George is not in there, obviously,” Schneider told reporters after the game. “We’ll kind of figure it out day by day if he’s not there.”
The injury adds to an already difficult stretch for Toronto on the health front. The team is dealing with multiple starters missing time, including outfielder Anthony Santander, infielder Addison Barger and catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Springer has also struggled at the plate early this season. He’s putting together a .185 batting average with two home runs and six RBIs across 14 games and 54 plate appearances.
With one of the team’s most experienced players sidelined, Toronto will need to adjust its lineup as it looks to find more consistency early in the season.
White Sox call up one of their top prospects
The Chicago White Sox have spent the past few seasons retooling their farm system and now one of the organization’s top young arms is finally getting the call to the big leagues.
Left-hander Noah Schultz is expected to be promoted to the majors. He is the No. 2 prospect in the organization and No. 46 overall in baseball, according to MLB.com and is set to make his debut Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Schultz was a first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Oswego East High School and has moved quickly through the system, looking sharp to open the season. At Triple-A, he’s posted a 1.29 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 14 innings.
Schultz works from a low arm slot that creates a tough angle for hitters, and it all ties into a slider that has become his best weapon. The pitch sits in the low 80s and sweeps across the zone, playing well against both righties and lefties. His fastball has also shown upper-90s velocity at times.
Manager Will Venables is expected to ease him into the rotation, likely as the White Sox’s fifth starter, but the long-term upside is what stands out. Schultz will be in a group that includes Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin, and Erik Fedde.
“I’m very excited about Noah,” Venables told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He’s about as nice a guy and polite a guy as can be, but he does have an edge when he goes out there and pitches, which you love to see.”
Since being drafted, Schultz has logged a 2.94 ERA with 248 strikeouts over 202.1 innings in the minors. He has been able to steadily climb each level along the way and establish himself as one of the most intriguing young arms in the minors.
April 11
Mets activate Craig Kimbrel
The Mets have called up the reliever and nine-time All-Star, per the New York Post. The Mets signed the 37-year-old to a minor-league deal in January. He made six appearances for the Mets in spring training, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and five strikeouts over 6.0 innings pitched. Last season, Kimbrel made 14 combined appearances (13 with the Astros and one with the Braves), recording a 2.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 17 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched. Kimbrel is fifth in MLB history with 440 career saves.
April 10
Seiya Suzuki making season debut
The Cubs’ outfielder/designated hitter is making his 2026 debut on April 10, as the team announced it has reinstated Suzuki and designated outfielder Dylan Carlson for assignment. Suzuki, who will start in right field and bat fifth in the Cubs’ Friday afternoon matchup against the Pirates, hadn’t yet played this season due to a knee sprain that he suffered while playing for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Last season, Suzuki totaled a career-high 32 home runs and 103 RBIs, while posting a .245/.326/.478 slash line.
April 9
Tigers’ Parker Meadows hospitalized after unfortunate collision
Tigers center fielder Meadows was hospitalized overnight after a head-to-head collision with outfielder Riley Greene. A pop fly was hit up in the air, with Greene making the catch and Meadows landing on his back, blood appearing on his face. Medical personnel then helped him stand, carting him off to be treated. Meadows had started 11 of 13 games for the Tigers, batting .250 and having two extra-base hits. He made his major league debut two years ago, also suffering an a nerve injury, causing him to miss his first two months.
Angels lose reliever Robert Stephenson for 2026
Angels right-hander Stephenson will miss the 2026 season after having ligament and flexor tendon repair surgery on his right elbow. It is the continuation of injury woes for Stephenson, who was expected to be one of the team’s top relievers after signing a three-year, $33 million deal in January 2024. He missed the 2024 season after undergoing an ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace in May 2024.
Stephenson was limited to 12 games in 2025 after he was diagnosed with a stretched biceps nerve. The 33-yard-old had a setback in spring training after attempting to pitch through thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms he experienced in the offseason. Stephenson, who made his MLB debut with Cincinnati in 2016, has a 4.69 ERA in nine seasons.
“This guy wants to pitch, this guy wants to be good,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told MLB.com. “Up until he had that setback in spring training, he was in a good spot mentally. He was excited, he was happy to be back on the mound. So this is heartbreaking.”
April 8
Orioles’ Zach Eflin undergoes Tommy John surgery
Orioles right-hander Eflin has undergone season-ending Tommy John surgery after leaving a start last month. The surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, the Orioles said. Eflin has been out since leaving with elbow discomfort in the fourth inning of a start against the Rangers on March 31. The start was his first since last July after dealing with back and lat injuries last season. Eflin, 32, finished 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts last season and re-signed with the team for $10 million in the offseason. He is 68-67 with a 4.28 ERA in 201 career starts over nine big league seasons with Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.
Konnor Griffin signs record deal with Pirates
The Pirates signed Griffin, who just recently made his MLB debut, to a nine-year deal, the club announced. The total value of the deal is $140 million, and is the largest contract in team history. Griffin, whom Pittsburgh selected with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, is the No. 1 prospect in MLB, per MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old shortstop has appeared in five games for the Pirates, driving in three runs and boasting a .176/.300/.235 slash line in the early going.
“This week has been amazing, debut week, and then sitting here signing a contract, it’s been amazing,” Griffin said. “It’s one of the best weeks of my life. … But it’ll be even better if we can get a win today.”
Pirates owner Bob Nutting said the nine-year contract reflects the team’s commitment in winning this season and in the future.
“This is an important step for 2026 as we look at it right now, but obviously, this is a long-term commitment,” Nutting said. “It’s a long-term statement of where we’re headed as an organization, where we are headed with this team. … This obviously is an unusual and dramatic step for the Pittsburgh Pirates. So I’m excited, I hope our fans are excited, I hope the city is excited, I know the organization is excited.”
When asked why it was important to sign for nine years, Griffin said he sees the Pirates as a winning organization.
“I’m pumped to be a Pirate and be a part of this wonderful clubhouse,” Griffin said, looking at his teammates at the back of the room. “A lot of great talent back there and coaches and staff. Thank you all for being here to support me. Y’all made this transition to the big leagues super easy. And I’m just pumped to go compete. The goal is to win. The goal is to win a World Series. And I think we’ve got a great clubhouse to go do that. I’m pumped to be part of it.”
The Pirates selected Griffin with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. He sprinted through the team’s farm system, hitting .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases. He was one of the final cuts during spring training last month, and his stay at Triple-A Indianapolis was brief.
White Sox option Opening Day starter Shane Smith
The White Sox optioned Opening Day starter Smith to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday after three shaky outings to begin the season. An All-Star as a rookie last year, Smith has been struggling with his fastball command. The 26-year-old right-hander is 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA. He has allowed 10 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings while walking nine and striking out 11. Smith threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in Tuesday’s start against Baltimore, but needed 99 pitches to do it. He walked five and hit a batter, and the White Sox went on to lose 4-2 after the Orioles scored three in the eighth.
“He’s a total pro,” manager Will Venable said. “He takes accountability and understands the spot that he’s putting the team in. And really it’s about getting him to be the best version of himself. This guy is a very good pitcher. He’s an important part of this organization and an important part of our success.”
The White Sox don’t expect it to be a long stay in the minors. But Venable wasn’t putting a timeline on his return.
“You know we have a very clear idea of what we need to do,” Venable said. “We just weren’t able to get those results to stick here. So he’s going to continue to make his adjustments.”
The White Sox also selected left-hander Tyler Schweitzer’s contract from Charlotte and transferred infielder and outfielder Brooks Baldwin (right elbow surgery) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday.
Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias expected to miss 4-8 weeks
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias is expected to miss four to eight weeks with a moderate left hamstring strain that occurred during Monday night’s game against Kansas City. The 26-year-old was hurt while running out a double in the fifth inning and left the game. He was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after undergoing medical tests, the results of which were announced Wednesday. “He’s in some pain,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said before the three-game series finale against the Royals. Arias, who is batting .200 with two homers and four RBIs in 10 games, will be re-examined weekly throughout his rehabilitation. This is his third full season as a starter for Cleveland.
The Guardians recalled second baseman Juan Brito from Triple-A Columbus to take his place in the lineup, while moving Brayan Rocchio from second to shortstop. They started the final two contests against Kansas City.
April 7
Cubs’ Cade Horton out for remainder of season
Cubs pitcher Horton is done for the 2026 season after an MRI indicated significant UCL damage in his right elbow, per Chicago manager Craig Counsell. This is the 24-year-old’s second elbow reconstruction surgery, getting Tommy John surgery in 2021 during his time at Oklahoma. Last season, Horton pitched 23 games with the Cubs, starting 22 of them. He had a standout season, logging a 2.67 ERA, 97 strikeouts and an 11-4 record.
Diamondbacks put Carlos Santana on IL
Diamondbacks first baseman Santana, the oldest active position player in the majors, was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right adductor strain. The designation is retroactive to Monday for Santana, who was injured during his lone plate appearance Sunday. The 39-year-old singled against the Braves before being lifted for a pinch-runner in the Diamondbacks’ 6-5, 10-inning win. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he didn’t know the severity of the strain but expected Santana to be sidelined beyond the 10-day minimum.
Orioles trade for reliever Nick Raquet
The O’s acquired left-hander Raquet in a trade with the Cardinals. The addition of Raquet puts another lefty in the bullpen for first-year manager Craig Albernaz. The 30-year-old Raquet was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Sunday. The O’s also transferred right-hander Zach Eflin to the 60-day injured list. Right-hander Brandon Young was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Eflin, 32, is sidelined with right elbow discomfort. Baltimore sent minor-league second baseman Brayden Smith to St. Louis for Raquet, a third-round pick in the 2017 amateur draft. Raquet made his major-league debut last year, tossing two scoreless innings for the Cardinals in September. He was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two relief appearances for Triple-A Peoria this season, last pitching on Wednesday.
White Sox place OF Austin Hays on IL
Chicago placed Hays on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right hamstring strain. Hays got hurt during Monday night’s 2-1 loss to the Orioles. The 30-year-old Hays signed a $6 million, one-year contract with the White Sox in free agency. He is batting .219 with a homer and six RBIs in nine games this season. The White Sox also brought up outfielder Dustin Harris from Triple-A Charlotte. Right-hander Mike Vasil, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was transferred to the 60-day injured list. The 26-year-old Harris signed a minor league deal with the team in December. He is batting .217 (10 for 46) with two homers and five RBIs in 21 career MLB games — all with Texas.
April 6
Mets place Juan Soto on IL, recall Ronny Mauricio
The Mets have placed left fielder Soto on the injured list and recalled Mauricio to take his place, per USA Today. He’s expected to miss at least two weeks. The move is retroactive to April 4, when Soto was diagnosed with a right calf strain after undergoing an MRI. The 27-year-old slugger is hitting .355/.412/.516 with a home run and 11 hits to begin the season. Mauricio, a utility infielder, played in 61 games for the Mets in 2025, batting .226/.293/.369.
April 5
Astros lose ace Hunter Brown to IL
Houston has placed RHP Brown on the 15-day injured list — for the first time in his career — with a right shoulder strain, the team announced. Brown threw six innings vs. the Red Sox on Tuesday. He allowed one run, one hit and struck out eight batters in what was his first start since throwing 4 2/3 innings on Opening Day vs. the Angels.
April 4
Mookie Betts leaves Dodgers game early
Betts exited the Dodgers’ game vs. the Nationals in the bottom of the first inning with lower back pain, the team shared. In his only plate appearance before exiting, Betts drew a walk before scoring from first base on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double in the top of the first. Shortstop Miguel Rojas replaced Betts in the bottom of the first.
Tigers’ Justin Verlander lands on IL
The Tigers announced that they placed the veteran starting pitcher on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation. In the one start he has made this season, Verlander, who’s in his second stint with the Tigers (he pitched in Detroit from 2005-17), surrendered five runs and eight baserunners (six hits and two walks) across 3 2/3 innings. Right-hander Keider Montero was recalled from Triple A to take Verlander’s roster spot.
April 3
Brewers sign prospect Cooper Pratt to eight-year, $50M deal
Milwaukee finalized an eight-year, $50.75 million contract with Pratt, adding the prized 21-year-old shortstop prospect to the 40-man roster and optioning him to Triple-A Nashville. The deal with Pratt includes club options that could keep him with the Brewers through the 2035 season. Pratt is among the top prospects in a Brewers farm system that ranks among the best in MLB. He was rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 60 overall prospect.
Yankees’ Carlos Rodón hopeful injury is minor
Yankees left-hander Rodón thinks his tight right hamstring is only a minor setback in his return from elbow surgery last October. Rodón felt the tightness after throwing 50 pitches of batting practice Sunday at the team’s complex in Tampa, Florida. Rodón got hurt while running and New York called off a planned minor league injury rehabilitation outing at Double-A Somerset. Rodón is recovering from surgery on Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur.
Johan Oviedo added to injured list
The Red Sox have placed the right-hander on the 15-day injured list due to a right elbow strain, the team announced. In the one appearance that Oviedo has made this season, he surrendered two home runs, four earned runs and six hits over 3 2/3 innings pitched. Boston acquired Oviedo from the Pirates in the offseason.
April 1
Nick Lodolo making rehab start for Reds
Lodolo is expected to throw 60 to 65 pitches during a rehab assignment on April 2. The left-hander, who’s on the injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, will make his rehab start for Single-A Daytona against Jupiter in a Florida State League game. If Lodolo has a successful outing, he could join the Reds’ rotation during next week’s series at Miami. Lodolo was 9-8 with a 3.33 ERA and 156 strikeouts last season.
Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez scratched
Narváez was scratched from Boston’s finale with the Astros on April 1 for an undisclosed reason. Narváez was removed from the lineup about 2.5 hours before first pitch and replaced behind the plate by Connor Wong. The 27-year-old Narváez is hitting .444 in three games this season. He is in his second season in Boston after beginning his career with the Yankees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
