MLB Player News

Ottavino (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless 1.1 innings while striking out two, earning the win Sunday versus the Red Sox.

Ottavino was called on to get the final out of the seventh inning and then handled a leadoff Xander Bogaerts double in the eighth without trouble. The Yankees rallied to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, and Ottavino became the pitcher of record. The right-hander has pitched 3.2 scoreless innings to start 2020. Ottavino will likely continue to see late-inning usage even when regular closer Aroldis Chapman (illness) returns to action.

Jimenez (0-1) was charged with the loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Reds. He allowed one run on three hits with no walks or strikeouts in one inning.

After Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a Nick Castellanos error, Jimenez gave the lead right back the next half inning. He is 4-for-4 in save chances on the young season, but Jimenez is worth keeping a close eye on as his velocity is down a tick and the swing-and-miss has been noticeably absent (just two swinging strikes on 17 pitches Sunday).

Alexander struck out 10 over 3.2 no-hit innings of long relief Sunday in the Tigers' 4-3 loss to the Reds in the first game of a doubleheader. He didn't factor into the decision in the seven-inning contest and allowed two baserunners, one via a walk and the other via a hit by pitch.

After opening pitcher Rony Garcia covered the first two innings, Alexander took over and proceeded to turn in one of the most dominant performances by a relief pitcher in MLB history. He tied an American League record by recording nine consecutive outs via strikeout, and his 10 punchouts were the most by a reliever since Randy Johnson whiffed 16 as a member of the Diamondbacks in July 2001. Heading into the weekend, Alexander had been hopeful to get a look in the Detroit rotation, and he may get his wish after this dazzling outing.

Jimenez cleared waivers and was returned to the Blue Jays on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez was designated for assignment after making two appearances out of the Giants' bullpen to begin the season. He'll head back to the Blue Jays' organization, where he played prior to being selected in the Rule 5 draft during the offseason. The right-hander won't be added to the Toronto's 60-man roster for now, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Chapman (illness) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. "He's doing great. Everything's gone well with throwing back-to-back days," manager Aaron Boone said of Chapman.

Chapman was cleared to rejoin the Yankees on Friday, and he'll take the mound Monday for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 in the first half of July. The southpaw has been playing catch off flat ground since clearing the league's protocol, and Boone was encouraged with his progress. Until Chapman is able to return to game action, Zack Britton should continue to serve as the Yankees' closer.

Graveman (0-2) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in a loss versus the Athletics on Sunday.

Graveman put runners on the corners in the fifth inning, and manager Scott Servais inserted Anthony Misiewicz for relief duty. Misiewicz promptly gave up a three-run homer to Ramon Laureano, sticking Graveman with the loss to spoil an otherwise solid performance. While his 8.31 ERA and 1.62 WHIP are unsightly, the 29-year-old righty has struck out 10 batters in 8.2 innings this season. Graveman's next start is expected to come at home against the Rockies on Saturday.

Hendriks allowed one hit and struck out three in a scoreless inning of work for the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Hendriks struck out Evan White leading off the frame before Shed Long got aboard with a single. Hendriks then retired Kyle Seager in an 11-pitch at-bat and whiffed Austin Nola to complete the outing. The 31-year-old Hendriks is now 3-for-4 in save chances after a rough first outing.

Pearson will start Thursday's game against Atlanta, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Pearson impressed in his major-league debut Wednesday, but the Blue Jays were forced to reconfigure their rotation order after their weekend series was canceled. As a result, the right-hander will attempt to repeat his production in the team's series finale against Atlanta.

Robles is not available to pitch Sunday after pitching two days in a row, but manager Joe Maddon has not changed him out of the closer role yet, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. "Robles will not pitch today after two in a row," Maddon said. "If, in fact, I wanted to do something like that (remove Robles as the closer), I would not tell you guys first."

Maddon's quote is obviously not a confirmation that Robles will keep the job, and it's not comforting that he won't announce a role change before it happens. In fact, even if someone else gets the save chance Sunday, there's no guarantee that Robles won't be called upon when the next opportunity for a save arises..

Smeltzer (1-0) allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out two across 2.2 innings to earn the win Sunday against Cleveland.

Smeltzer followed Tyler Clippard and entered the game to start the third frame. He worked a clean inning but allowed a leadoff double to Cesar Hernandez to start the fourth frame, accounting for his one earned run. It was a bounceback performance for Smeltzer, who was roughed up for five earned runs across two innings in his first appearance of 2020.