MLB Player News

Leclerc will serve as the opener for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Joe Palumbo will pitch the bulk of the innings behind Leclerc. Leclerc's 35.8 percent strikeout rate remains excellent, but his 4.74 ERA is a major step back from the 1.56 mark he posted last season, and he hasn't recorded a save since mid-April.

Chavez (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings against Minnesota.

The 35-year-old permitted three runs in the second inning and two more in the fourth as he could not get big outs with men on base. Chavez had done well in his previous three starts, throwing 17.1 innings and allowing just four earned runs with an 18:0 K:BB. He'll take a respectable 3.30 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into the All-Star Break along with a 59:17 K:BB for the season.

Jimenez was recalled by the Tigers on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jimenez was called up in a corresponding move to the demotion of Ryan Carpenter. He was with the team earlier in the season but worked only 2.1 innings out of the bullpen, surrendering three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Jimenez has experienced much more success at Triple-A Toledo, posting a 2.92 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 33 strikeouts across 37 innings.

Palumbo will start for the Rangers on Sunday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Palumbo will take the place of Mike Minor, who is getting some extra rest prior to the All-Star break. Palumbo has drawn two previous starts with the Rangers this season, but he's experienced little success. Through six innings, he's racked up a 16.50 ERA and 2.50 WHIP with five strikeouts and three walks.

Stanek (0-2) took the loss in an extra-innings defeat at the hands of the Yankees on Friday, allowing four earned runs on four hits over an inning while recording one strikeout.

Stanek was thrust into the increasingly unfamiliar position of a late-inning, high-leverage scenario and came up considerably short. There wasn't much suspense in terms of whether Stanek would be able to successfully carry out the task of preserving a 4-4 tie upon entering in the 11th inning, as he allowed a leadoff solo home run to Aaron Judge. After retiring the next two batters, Stanek ultimately yielded a three-run homer to Brett Gardner following a single by Gleyber Torres and a double by Gio Urshela. It was the second multi-run outing for Stanek in his last four appearances, a rocky stretch his ERA has gone from 2.47 to 3.26.

Payano was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Payano was added to the 40-man roster and called up to the major leagues for the first time in is career. The 24-year-old has managed a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 15 appearances (14 starts) with the team's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this season, striking out 81 and walking 32 across 69 innings. With Jesse Chavez and Mike Minor slotted in to start the Rangers' final two games prior to the All-Star break, Payano will likely serve as bullpen depth.

Hendriks pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his fourth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mariners. He struck out two.

Hendriks hasn't allowed a run over his last 15.2 innings, striking out 27, a span which dates back to June 6. He has the faith of manager Bob Melvin even with Blake Treinen's recent return from the IL. With a 1.27 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 49.2 innings this year, Hendriks has elevated his game to a level never seen before in his nine-year career.

Chapman recorded the final two outs of the game to pick up the save Friday against the Rays, striking out one and walking one.

Chapman entered the bottom of the 11th with a four-run lead but runners on first and second. He brought the tying run to the plate with two outs but got Tommy Pham to line out to end the game. He now has 24 saves on the season.

Gibaut was recalled by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gibaut will be replacing Brendan McKay, who won't be needed again before the All-Star break. Gibaut could be up for more than just a few days if he can come anywhere close to replicating his minor-league numbers. He owns a 2.22 ERA in his five-year professional career, striking out 30.5 percent of opposing hitters. That strikeout rate is sitting at an incredible 40.0 percent in 9.1 innings for Triple-A Durham this season.

Robles struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 12th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Astros.

It's his first save since June 18, but that's been due to a lack of opportunities and not poor performance. Robles has only been scored upon once in 15 appearances since the beginning of last month, posting a sparkling 0.59 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 15.1 innings over that stretch.