2026 Transactions: Red Sox Promote Uberstine, Marlins & Twins Trade

Boston’s April 3 roster shuffle delivered on the promise the Red Sox made last winter, elevating right-hander Tyler Uberstine from Triple-A Worcester ahead of the club’s Fenway opener. The 26-year-old, added to the 40-man roster after a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him post a near-30 percent whiff rate with the WooSox, will now test his eclectic five-pitch mix—mid-90s fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and cutter—against Major League bats for the first time. Fellow reliever Zack Kelly also received the recall, giving manager Alex Cora two fresh bullpen arms for the season’s first homestand.

While Boston fortified its pitching depth, the Twins struck a deal with Miami on April 2, acquiring 27-year-old reliever Garrett Acton in exchange for minor-league righty Logan Whitaker. Acton, who has passed through the Rays, Rockies and Marlins organizations in recent months, brings a minor-league track record of high strikeout totals. Whitaker, 24, departs the Twins after fanning 33 hitters across 38 innings between High-A and Double-A last season, pairing low-to-mid-90s velocity with a 44.6 percent ground-ball rate in the Midwest League.

Pittsburgh continued its early-season maneuvering by officially selecting the contract of top position-player prospect Konnor Griffin on April 3, one day after announcing his promotion for the club’s home opener. ESPN reports that the 20-year-old and the Pirates are nearing a nine-year extension that would anchor Griffin in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. To clear space, the Pirates optioned Billy Cook to Triple-A and designated Enmanuel Valz for assignment.

Elsewhere, the Giants recalled right-hander Blade Tidwell and the Rockies brought back Valente Bellozo to cover for injured arms, while Tampa Bay promoted Durham reliever Hunter Bigge after Garret Cleavinger hit the injured list. Position-player transactions saw Steward Berroa (Brewers), Ryan Ritter (Rockies) and Ryan Bliss (Mariners) optioned within the past 48 hours as clubs fine-tune rosters for the season’s opening weeks.