MLB Player News

Brasier was not used in a save situation Sunday when manager Alex Cora turned to Marcus Walden in a 4-1 win over the Astros.

Brasier has not logged a save since April 21 and is emerging from a rough stretch earlier in May. Walden has been pitching well for Boston and earned high-leverage relief appearances, so he has been added to the mix for save chances. Where this leaves Brasier in terms of save opportunities is uncertain, but he's made three consecutive clean outings and remains part of the late-inning crew.

Barnes worked around a walk to record a hold in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Astros. He struck out two while pitching the eighth inning.

Barnes had a notable loss Saturday when he failed to retire any batters in the ninth inning. Manager Alex Cora on Sunday used Barnes to face the bottom of the Astros order, telling Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald that he can't always have Barnes consistently face the middle of an opponent's order. "We've been talking about this, usage and whatever they call it his role," Cora said. "But people get caught up on the whole closing thing and using the guy in the high-leverage situation, but he needs to face some guys that they're not the 3, 4, 5 hitters all the time. It's a grind for him." Marcus Walden followed Barnes and registered the save for Boston while facing batters 4, 5 and 6. Cora will continue to deploy his late-inning options depending on which part of an opponent's order is due up but there are times when Barnes will get a break.

Alvarado posted one strikeout during a two-out save in a 6-3 victory against the Indians on Sunday.

The 24-year-old was very efficient, recording his two outs in just seven pitches. Alvarado needed an outing like this after giving up five runs in his last 2.2 frames. He is 6-for-7 in save chances with a 3.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 20.2 innings this season, and should continue to split save opportunities with right-hander Diego Castillo.

Stanek allowed no runs on two hits and struck out three during 1.2 innings to open against the Indians on Sunday.

The 27-year-old has been an excellent opener this season, posting a 1.64 ERA in 14 "starts," but he's never pitched past the second inning in any of those outings. That obviously limits his fantasy value. Curiously, Stanek also hasn't been as good out of the bullpen. Overall, he is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 28.1 innings this season.

Jurado pitched 6.1 innings and received a no-decision versus the Angels on Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three.

Jurado didn't fool many hitters -- he induced only two swinging strikes -- but was nonetheless effective in his second start of the season. He was in line for a win but was pulled after giving up a one-out single in the seventh, then watched the Rangers' shaky bullpen allow six runs to cross the plate before the inning was over. After throwing only 76 pitches in his first start, Jurado tossed 94 on Sunday, a good indication that he is ready to take on a full-time starting role. He is projected to next face the Royals on Friday.

Torres agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Torres has appeared in 14 games this season with Triple-A El Paso, sporting a 2.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a 23:10 K:BB over 24 frames. The veteran right-hander figures to serve as organizational depth for the Tigers.

Manaea (shoulder) said Sunday that he plans to face hitters in live batting practice in the first week of June, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Before doing so, Manaea will throw two more bullpen sessions. The first of those will come Wednesday, when he'll incorporate his slider after his prior sessions consisted entirely of fastballs. Based on where the lefty currently stands in his recovery from shoulder surgery, he'll likely be a rotation option for the Athletics at some point in late July or August.

Manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Puk (elbow) could work out of the Athletics bullpen once he's reached the finish line in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "The guys who had Tommy John, yeah, there's some serious thought to that, to be able to use their innings and not lose them very quickly," Melvin said of Puk and Jharel Cotton. "That's being bantered about, yes."

Regardless of whether he's deployed as a starter or reliever upon being formally activated, Puk will have an undisclosed innings cap in place coming off the major arm operation. Puk is still viewed as a potential high-ceiling rotation piece for the big club down the road, but the desire to prioritize his health coupled with the fact that he has yet to pitch above the Double-A level might provide sufficient reason for the organization to ease him into big-league action once he's deemed ready.

Covey (0-4) coughed up four runs on two walks and three hits across six innings, striking out six and taking the loss against the Twins on Sunday.

He actually had a fairly decent outing that was cursed by a troubling third inning. Max Kepler doubled in a run before Eddie Rosario took Covey deep for a three-run shot. The 27-year-old's ERA was on the rise again after Sunday, jumping to 5.47 across 26.1 innings. He'll take an ugly 13:18 K:BB into Friday's home start against Cleveland.

Hearn (elbow) is slated to begin a throwing program Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hearn succumbed to left elbow inflammation during his MLB debut April 25 and has been stuck on the 10-day injured list ever since. After a month-long shutdown period, he's ready to start the recovery process in earnest, but he's probably still at least a couple weeks away from appearing in minor-league rehab games. Hearn isn't a lock to stick with the big club once he's ultimately activated from the IL.