MLB Player News

Howard (2-3) allowed six runs on six hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over four-plus innings to take the loss versus the Orioles on Tuesday.

Most of the damage against Howard came in the third inning, with Jorge Mateo's three-run home run enough to send the Rangers starter to a loss. He's now allowed 11 homers in nine appearances this season. The right-hander has a 6.82 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB through 34.1 innings. With Jon Gray (oblique) out until at least September, Howard is likely to maintain a spot in the rotation. His next start is projected to be a home matchup against the White Sox this weekend.

Quijada pitched a perfect ninth inning to save Tuesday's 3-1 win against the Athletics. He failed to record a strikeout.

With Raisel Iglesias shipped to Atlanta at the trade deadline, Quijada received the first crack at the ninth inning and delivered with a clean frame on just eight pitches. The 26-year-old was tagged for three runs in one-third of an inning in his last appearance Sunday but had tossed five scoreless innings while allowing only two baserunners prior. He sports a 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 24 strikeouts in 20 innings across 21 games this season.

Yarbrough will pitch behind opener Jalen Beeks against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Steve Carney of MLB.com reports.

Yarbrough worked as a traditional starter his last time out and allowed one run across six innings in Baltimore, but he'll operate as a primary pitcher Wednesday. Overall it's been a struggle this year for the left-hander with a 5.11 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB across 49.1 innings.

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Twins.

Soto didn't record a strikeout but was still effective in shutting down Minnesota on 14 pitches (10 for strikes). The lefty has been really good this season with 20 saves and a 2.19 ERA. He's only allowed one earned run since the beginning of July and none in his last seven appearances. Soto should remain a good fantasy asset the rest of the way.

Beeks will start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Steve Carney of MLB.com reports.

Beeks covered two scoreless frames Sunday in his first appearance since returning from the injured list, and he'll serve as the opener for Wednesday's series finale. Ryan Yarbrough is slated to follow as the bulk pitcher for Tampa Bay.

Romano earned the save Tuesday in Tampa Bay, allowing a solo homer and striking out one in the ninth inning of a 3-1 victory.

Taylor Walls took Romano deep to lead off the ninth, but the 29-year-old bounced back and retired the next three batters on five pitches. He is now 25-for-28 in save chances and has converted his last eight opportunities. Over his last 13 appearances, he's posted a 1.32 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 13.2 innings.

Manager Brandon Hyde named Tate, Felix Bautista and Cionel Perez as the likely candidates to see save opportunities after the Orioles traded Jorge Lopez to the Twins on Tuesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate has two saves and 12 holds as a setup man for Baltimore this year, and he also has a 2.22 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 48.2 innings. It's unclear exactly how Hyde's matchups-based approach will shake out, though it limits the value of all three pitchers for fantasy managers, at least until one player separates from the pack.

Manager Brandon Hyde named Perez, Felix Bautista and Dillon Tate as the candidates to serve as Baltimore's closer after Jorge Lopez was traded to Minnesota, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The three have operated as setup men for the Orioles this year, and the group will now be in a closing committee with Hyde utilizing a matchups-based approach. Perez has one save and 15 holds with a 1.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 34:15 K:BB across 36 innings this season. Bautista seems like the best option to head the committee, but it remains to be seen exactly how the group's usage breaks down with Lopez out of the picture.

Manager Brandon Hyde named Bautista, Cionel Perez and Dillon Tate as the candidates to closer for Baltimore after Jorge Lopez was traded to the Twins on Tuesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista was the presumptive closer for the Orioles in the immediate aftermath of the trade, but it sounds like Hyde will employ a matchups-based approach for the ninth inning. The right-hander has three saves and 13 holds to go with a 1.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34.4 percent strikeout rate in his first taste of big-league action this year, so he's the logical candidate to head Baltimore's committee, though that doesn't necessarily mean he'll receive the bulk of the save chances.

Kelly (biceps) picked up a hold and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.

Kelly had been removed from his previous appearance last Wednesday against the Rockies after experiencing right biceps discomfort, but he only needed a couple days of rest to avoid a trip to the injured list. The hold was his 11th of the season, tying Jose Ruiz for second on the team behind Kendall Graveman.