MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Chapman and Will Smith will share closer duties based on which hitters are due up, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The comments came after Chapman picked up his first save since joining the Rangers on Saturday versus the Guardians, striking out two while allowing one hit in a scoreless frame. Smith tossed 1.2 scoreless innings before Chapman in the game. The latter is having a terrific season and hasn't done anything recent to lose his job, but Chapman has had an even better year and is arguably a better choice at closer for the American League West leaders. For now, the two left-handers will share the gig.

Romano (back) underwent an MRI on his lower back which came back clean Saturday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Romano faced just one batter in the All-Star Game before exiting with lower-back tightness, but the problem appears to be a minor one. Tests revealed nothing serious, but he remains day-to-day and was thus unable to pick up the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks, with Yimi Garcia getting the opportunity instead.

Criswell will be the bulk reliever in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, with Shawn Armstrong set to open the game on the mound, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

All six of Criswell's major-league outings this season have come in a similar role. He's recorded at least seven outs each time but has topped out at 4.2 innings. The 26-year-old righty owns a 5.14 ERA overall but has allowed just two runs in 9.2 innings over his last three appearances.

Armstrong will open the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays may be playing two games in one day, but they only had to use two members of a well-rested bullpen in the afternoon contest, so Armstrong won't face much pressure to eat innings. He did throw three innings as an opener in his final appearance before the break, but he hasn't lasted more than two frames in any of his other 12 outings. Cooper Criswell is expected to follow Armstrong as the bulk reliever.

King was called up by Texas on Saturday.

This will be King's third stint in the majors this season. During his previous time with the team, he struggled to a 5.79 ERA in 18.2 innings while striking out just 12.3 percent of opposing batters. Josh Sborz (biceps) hit the injured list in a corresponding move.

Sborz was placed on the 15-day injured list with right biceps tendinitis Saturday.

The transaction has been backdated to Wednesday, meaning Sborz will be eligible to return in less than two weeks, though that will only be in play if his injury is particularly mild. The injury may explain Sborz's difficult stretch immediately prior to the break, when he allowed nine runs in 3.1 innings. Up to that point, he owned a 2.62 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, so his absence will be a significant one for the Rangers. John King was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Kelly was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Kelly is up to replace Shane Bieber, who hit the injured list with elbow inflammation, though he won't be taking Bieber's place in the rotation. Kelly has worked exclusively as a reliever for Columbus this season, striking out 36 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.73 ERA. He spent two single-day stints on the big-league roster earlier in the season but didn't make an appearance on either occasion.

Harris is expected to serve as the Athletics' primary pitcher out of the bullpen Saturday against the Twins with Austin Pruitt drawing the starting assignment.

Pruitt hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, so Oakland likely won't ask him to work more than once through the batting order before turning the game over to Harris. Though Harris had been one of Oakland's more reliable starters since joining the rotation in late May, he labored in his final three outings before the All-Star break (9.20 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings).

Criswell was recalled by the Rays to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Criswell is expected to either start the nightcap or serve as the bulk reliever. All six of Criswell's big-league appearances this season have come in relief, but all have lasted at least 2.1 innings. He owns a 5.14 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, though those numbers are inflated by a .362 BABIP.

Pruitt will serve as Oakland's opening pitcher in Saturday's game agains the Twins.

Pruitt will most likely cover anywhere from 1-to-3 innings prior to turning the game over to Hogan Harris, who had been in line to start Saturday before the Athletics made the late decision to deploy him behind an opener. Over his previous four assignments as an opener this season, Pruitt has allowed six earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out two over 6.2 innings.