MLB Player News

Leclerc allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's 16-8 win over the Angels.

Leclerc worked the final inning and ceded a solo home run to Hunter Renfroe. The one-time closer will be used in low-leverage situations, per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, and they don't get much lower than pitching with your team leading by nine runs to begin the ninth inning. Will Smith has taken over as the team's primary closer.

Thielbar has been diagnosed with a moderate strain of his right oblique and won't throw for a week before being evaluated, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It's an encouraging report, but he's still likely out several weeks since it will take him some time to ramp back up again after the layoff. Thielbar will be missed as a key lefty in the bullpen with his stellar 1.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 11 appearances.

Bautista allowed an unearned run on one walk and struck out one in one inning, taking a blown save in Sunday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to Atlanta.

Bautista couldn't protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, giving up a run on a wild pitch. He's allowed a run in consecutive appearances for the first time since his first two outings of the year. Sunday's mishap won't show up in his ERA, which stands at 1.72 despite a 1.28 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 15.2 innings this season. He's now 7-for-10 in save chances.

Perez (1-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while recording one strikeout in one-third of an inning to take the extra-innings loss versus Atlanta on Sunday.

Perez intentionally walked Marcell Ozuna with one out in the 12th inning, but Michael Harris knocked a walkoff double to win the game. It's been tough for Perez to find consistency this season -- he's yet to go more than three appearances without surrendering a run. He remains in a setup role for the Orioles, but he has a 4.61 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB through 13.2 innings. He's added six holds, and he could be in danger of losing his current role once Mychal Givens (knee) and Dillon Tate (forearm) are ready to return.

Fairbanks (forearm) played catch at Tropicana Field prior to the Rays' game against the Yankees, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's the first time Fairbanks has thrown since he went on the injured list Wednesday with right forearm inflammation. The closer is eligible to return May 16 and, given that he's already throwing, would seem to have a shot to be ready at that time. Jason Adam has been serving as the Rays' closer with Fairbanks on the shelf.

Fleming allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one over five innings during Sunday's 8-7 win over the Yankees in extras.

As expected, Fleming served as a bulk reliever after Javy Guerra handled the first inning. Fleming was able to complete five frames, his second most this year, but he surrendered a season-high six runs, including his first two home runs, and saw his ERA balloon from 3.18 to 4.55. Tyler Glasnow (oblique) recently completed his first of three rehab outings, so Fleming should handle a similar long-relief role for at least one more turn through the rotation.

Patino has been moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Durham, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino threw a scoreless inning Saturday for Durham in his first relief appearance of the season following a 6.66 ERA in six starts. While it doesn't necessarily look like a permanent move, if Patino helps the Rays in 2023 it seems like it will be as a reliever. "The best version that we saw of Luis was probably in (2021), I think when he was coming out of the bullpen for us," manager Kevin Cash said. "He was very, very powerful."

Cleavinger is likely headed to the injured list after being removed from Sunday's appearance versus the Yankees due to a right knee injury, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cleavinger hurt himself when he tripped over Aaron Hicks' leg while trying to tag him during a rundown in the 10th inning. Rays manager Kevin Cash said after the contest that he didn't have an update on the reliever's condition other than it would "likely" result in a trip to the IL. Cleavinger holds a 3.00 ERA and 14:6 K:BB over 12 innings this season.

Hendriks (illness) yielded one run on two hits over an inning of work in his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

He threw 14 pitches in the outing and didn't record a strikeout. Hendriks' velocity remained down in the appearance, as he averaged 94.5 mph with his fastball, per Baseball Savant. That's up more than two mph from his first outing, though, which is a good sign. Hendriks, of course, has a good excuse for still regaining his strength given that he was undergoing chemotherapy a month ago. He's expected to make 2-to-3 more rehab appearances before rejoining the White Sox' bullpen.

Topa allowed one hit in a scoreless inning against Houston on Sunday. He struck out one and earned a save.

Topa worked around a leadoff single to finish off a quick inning and secure the 3-1 victory. He's been a terrific addition to Seattle's bullpen since his promotion in early April, posting a 1.29 ERA and a 14:5 K:BB through 14 frames. Topa has seven holds and has now converted one of two save chances. Paul Sewald allowed two runs Saturday and did not appear in Sunday's win.