MLB Player News

Alvarado retired the side in the bottom of the 11th inning to earn his fifth save Saturday against the Yankees. He allowed one hit and no walks and struck out one in an inning of work.

After blowing his first save chance since April 7 on Friday, Alvarado was given another opportunity and this time was successful, working around a leadoff single from Luke Voit before producing a strikeout and a double play. The Rays still figure to play matchups with their closer, but this will help Alvarado stay a part of the committee. The left-hander has a strong 2.37 ERA and 1.16 WHIP on the season along with a 28:9 K:BB.

Chapman retired all three batters he faced in a 2-1 loss to the Rays on Saturday.

Entering the ninth inning in a tie game, Chapman kept the score tied by inducing a groundout and striking out two. In his last 10 appearances dating back to April 24, the left-hander is 8-for-8 in save opportunities and has allowed just one run in 8.2 innings with a 15:2 K:BB.

Borucki (elbow) is throwing from 90 feet and will start long tossing next week, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Nicholson-Smith speculates that Borucki likely won't be able to return to the big-league rotation until mid-to-late-June, considering he is not yet throwing off a mound. The Blue Jays have dealt with numerous injuries in the rotation, so Borucki should have a spot waiting for him when he is back to full health and has had a chance to build up his workload during a rehab assignment.

Alvarado (0-3) allowed three earned runs on four hits, a walk and a wild pitch over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Yankees on Friday. He also recorded a strikeout.

The normally reliable closer's hiccup cost the Rays the game, as he failed to hold the 3-1 lead he'd been entrusted with entering the final frame. Alvarado got into trouble immediately by surrendering a solo home run to Luke Voit to open the inning, and he ultimately allowed the game-tying and winning runs on a wild pitch and single, respectively. It was the first time Alvarado's ERA was blemished since April 21, and the outing also marked his first blown save of the season.

Pruitt was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He gave up four runs in one inning in his last appearance May 12. Hunter Wood (shoulder) was activated from the injured list and will take Pruitt's spot in the bullpen.

Chavez allowed a hit and struck out three over 1.2 innings in Friday's 7-3 win over the Cardinals.

Chavez had been expected to serve as an opener Saturday, but that plan was scratched because he was needed to help finish out Friday's game. He's experienced a resurgence of late, firing 7.2 scoreless innings over his last six outings. The ugly 8.79 ERA he carried April 30 is down to 5.73.

Leclerc struck out two and did not allow a hit in one inning as the opener in Friday's 7-3 win over the Cardinals.

Leclerc began with two balls but settled in after that. Matt Carpenter grounded out to second before Leclerc fanned Paul Goldschmidt and Paul DeJong. He's made five appearances since being removed as the closer and allowed one run on one hit and three walks with 10 strikeouts over six innings. There's still no word on when/if he'll return to the closer's role, but manager Chris Woodward is pleased with his work. "I thought today was a good challenge for him, coming out and starting the game," Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. "Something he has never done before. Facing the top of the lineup, best hitters. He came out, threw ball one, ball two, two pretty close pitches, and then he pretty much blew the rest of them away. The last couple of times out, he has been really good. Good to see."

Robles tossed a clean ninth inning to pick up the save Friday against the Royals.

Robles forced three groundouts to shut the door on the Royals in the 5-2 victory. Even with Cody Allen off the injured list, it looks like Robles may continue handling closing duties. Through 22 appearances, the right-hander has yet to blow a save (five chances) and holds a 3.60 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB.

Jurado will start Saturday's game against the Cardinals, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Jurado was initially slated to serve as the bulk reliever, but the Rangers changed their pitching plans and will instead allow the right-hander to make a normal start.

Stanek allowed one run on a hit and struck out three over two innings Friday against the Yankees.

Stanek gave up a solo homer in the second inning, but the Rays would respond by taking a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. The 27-year-old has surrendered a run in two of his last three outings, though his ERA remains solid at 2.63 with 25 strikeouts across 24 frames.