MLB Player News

Lambert will serve as an opener for the White Sox on Monday in Cleveland, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Though he'll be drawing the start in place of the injured Mike Clevinger (wrist), Lambert hasn't recorded more than five outs in an appearance this season and is unlikely to work more than once through the order. Chicago called up Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, and he could end up serving as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen once Lambert exits the contest.

Abreu (2-1) earned the win Sunday against the Reds, striking out one over 1.1 perfect innings.

Abreu relieved Luis Severino in the fifth inning before pitching a clean sixth to earn his second win of the season. The 27-year-old Abreu has delivered three consecutive -scoreless appearances, allowing just one walk in that span, after surrendering three runs in his previous three outings. Abreu lowered his ERA to 4.24 with a 1.46 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB while recording three holds in 23.1 innings this year.

The Athletics outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Neal will remain in the Oakland organization after he cleared waivers upon being designated for assignment Friday. The 34-year-old right-hander made his first big-league appearances since 2018 earlier this season, giving up three earned runs on four hits and zero walks in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen.

Fleming is expected to work in bulk relief behind opener Trevor Kelley in Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Despite working as a traditional starter in his last turn through the rotation May 17 and tossing five scoreless frames, Fleming will return to the bulk-relief role that he's typically filled over the past few weeks. Kelley is slated to open Monday's game and will presumably work 1-to-2 innings before giving way to Fleming, who should be the Rays pitcher most likely to qualify for a win. Even so, Fleming has yet to factor into a decision in any of his nine appearances on the campaign, despite working three or more innings on every occasion.

Kelley is scheduled to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kelley is operating as an opener for the second time this season, likely working an inning or two before giving way to Josh Fleming, who is expected to serve as the Rays' bulk reliever. In six innings with the big club this season, Kelley has allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters.

Pivetta allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over 2.1 relief innings in Sunday's 7-0 loss to San Diego.

Pivetta made his first relief appearance since being removed from the starting rotation last Wednesday. Speculation about Pivetta moving to the bullpen bubbled up for a couple of weeks, and the right-hander bristled when asked about the potential move, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. He's struck a more accepting tone after being told last week the move was official. "I just got moved to the bullpen so that's where I belong and that's where I am," Pivetta said. "I'm going to show up there for my teammates out there and go out and do my job." Pivetta has a 6.30 ERA as a starter, including an 8.10 mark in his last six starts.

Stephan (2-2) took the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Mets, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning.

Stephan gave up a two-run home run to Starling Marte in the eighth inning just after the Guardians had rallied for a 4-3 lead. Stephan's scoreless streak came to a close at 4.2 innings with the sloppy outing. He's now at a 2.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 19.2 innings across 21 appearances. He's added two saves, six holds and three blown saves in a setup role.

Baumann (3-0) struck out one without allowing a hit or walk over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the extra-innings win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Baumann came in with one on and one out in the 10th inning, and he proceeded to pick off Whit Merrifield. After the Orioles rallied ahead again in the 11th, Baumann stayed in and finished off the win. He's kept runs off the board in five of his nine appearances in May, but he's also been tagged for multiple runs three times this month. The 27-year-old owns a 3.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 25 innings across 21 appearances this season, and he'll likely continue to see primarily low-leverage work.

Holmes picked up the save in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Reds, working around two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning.

The Reds loaded the bases against Holmes in the ninth, but the right-hander coaxed a groundout from Will Benson to grab his fifth save -- his first since April 12. Holmes hasn't allowed a run in his last nine outings (9.1 innings), lowering his ERA to 3.26 with a 1.45 WHIP and 25:8. K:BB through 19.1 innings this season. Holmes has certainly worked his way back into the ninth-inning picture with his recent performances. However, he'll likely continue splitting closing duties with Wandy Peralta and Michael King.

Estevez allowed one hit and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning while earning a save against the Twins on Sunday.

Estevez worked around a one-out single to finish off the 4-2 victory. He lowered his ERA to 1.23 and has now converted all 12 of his save chances this season. The 30-year-old righty has yielded just one run in his last 15 innings.