MLB Player News

Beeks will serve as the Rays' opener ahead of primary pitcher Cooper Criswell against the Dodgers on Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Friday will mark Beeks' sixth start of the season and his first appearance since Sunday against the Brewers. He has a 0.96 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across his last six appearances but hasn't pitched more than two innings in a game since April.

Bachman is expected to be called up from Double-A Rocket City by the Angels on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 2021 first-round pick has flashed big stuff when healthy, but his results this season with Rocket City haven't been good, particularly over his last four starts with a 9.19 ERA and 13:17 K:BB over 15.2 innings. Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that the Angels plan to use Bachman out of the bullpen.

Taylor (1-2) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one in one inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Tigers.

Taylor gave up a tie-breaking three-run home run to Zack Short in the sixth inning, and the Royals were unable to catch up after that. Through 9.2 innings in May, Taylor has given up 12 runs (11 earned) on 14 hits and seven walks, though he has managed 12 strikeouts. The southpaw has a 7.13 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 26:8 K:BB and one blown save through 17.2 innings overall. With a low-leverage role and poor numbers, Taylor is not on the fantasy radar.

Baumann (4-0) pitched a perfect inning and earned the win Wednesday over the Yankees.

Baumann entered for what appeared to be a low-leverage assignment with the Orioles down four runs in the sixth inning. Baltimore rallied for eight runs in the top of the seventh and held on to put Baumann in line for the win, his second in as many appearances. The right-hander has kept runs off the board in six of his last eight outings, though a 10:7 K:BB over 8.1 innings during that span isn't inspiring. He has a 3.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 26 innings this season.

Bautista walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 12th save of the season in a 9-6 win over the Yankees.

The big right-hander fanned multiple batters for the seventh straight appearance, although he also issued a free pass for the fourth time in his last five games. Bautista's 1.44 ERA on the season is impressive, and his 47.2 percent strikeout rate is second in the majors to Cincinnati's Alexis Diaz, but his 16.0 percent walk rate has led to four blown saves and a 1.24 WHIP.

Faucher was recalled from Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher can provide some length for a bullpen that's been overworked this week. He holds a 6.43 ERA and 11:6 K:BB across 14 innings with the big club this season.

Heller was optioned to Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Heller was with the big club for just one day and didn't make an appearance. He's clearing out for Jake Diekman's return from paternity leave.

Diekman was activated from the paternity list by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diekman missed the first three games of the series against the Blue Jays but is back for the finale. Ben Heller was optioned in a corresponding move.

Leclerc allowed two hits and one walk over one-third of an inning to get a hold in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Leclerc had made a stretch of low-leverage appearances before getting the call to pitch the eighth inning of a one-run game Wednesday. He retired the first batter then allowed the next three to reach, and he was removed after 16 pitches (eight strikes). Closer Will Smith escaped from the frame unscathed and returned for the ninth inning to complete a five-out save.

Lange allowed a run on one hit but managed to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

Lange allowed his first run since early April, a streak of 16 consecutive appearances, but he was still able to shut the door for his ninth save in 10 chances. The righty has firmly established himself as Detroit's closer, and he has a sparkling 1.27 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 21.1 innings so far this year.