MLB Player News

Romano struck out one in two-thirds of an inning without giving up a run or a baserunner to record his first hold of the season in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

The right-hander entered the game in the eighth inning to protect a 5-1 lead with the bases loaded and one out, and Romano needed only eight pitches to fan Jack Suwinski and induce a popup from Miguel Andujar. When the Jays tacked on five more runs in the top of the ninth, Romano was no longer needed for a save and settled for a hold instead, with Nate Pearson finishing out the rout. On the season, Romano has a 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB through 14 innings and has successfully converted nine of his 10 save chances.

Barriera tossed four scoreless, no-hit innings for Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday, striking out six and walking one.

The 19-year-old was absolutely dominant in his first action as a professional, especially considering he hadn't pitched in a game anywhere in about a year -- Barriera shut himself down at the end of his final high-school season before being selected 23rd overall by Toronto in the 2022 MLB Draft. The southpaw sat comfortably in the mid-90s with his fastball, and Florida State League hitters had little chance against a slider that already looks like a plus pitch. Barriera isn't expected to see a big workload this season as the Blue Jays focus on his health and development -- he was held back this spring due to some shoulder soreness -- but he will soar up prospect lists quickly with more outings like this one.

The Royals acquired McArthur from the Phillies on Monday in exchange for outfielder Junior Marin and cash considerations.

Though McArthur will most likely settle into the rotation at Triple-A Omaha with his new organization, he'll join the Royals' 40-man roster with Kansas City designating outfielder/designated hitter Franmil Reyes for assignment in a corresponding move. McArthur, who has yet to reach the majors, has logged a 7.31 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 16 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.

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."