MLB Player News

Jurado will have a maximum pitch count of around 75 when he makes his first start for the Rangers this weekend, Robert Falkoff of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers haven't set a date for Jurado's start, but he appeared in a game Tuesday, which would make Sunday the fifth day. He's getting the first crack as a starter after Shelby Miller was removed the rotation. Jurado is a starter by trade but hasn't made a start since April 21 in the minors and pitched only in relief for Texas since being called up in late April.

Lopez (0-5) took the loss Wednesday as the Royals fell 6-1 to the Rangers, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out seven.

A two-run shot by the recently promoted Willie Calhoun in the first inning put Lopez in an early hole, and Kansas City's offense was never able to climb out of it. The right-hander has been taken deep 12 times in only 48.2 inning so far in 2019, leading to a rough 6.29 ERA despite his solid 46:19 K:BB. He'll look to finally get into the win column in his next start Tuesday in St. Louis.

De Leon (elbow) fired three scoreless innings in Triple-A Durham's win over Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, allowing two hits and issuing a walk while recording five strikeouts.

It was about as strong an outing for De Leon as the Rays could have hoped for in the bump up to the Triple-A level in his rehab. The right-hander worked up to 48 pitches, 32 which he got into the strike zone. De Leon now has back-to-back three-inning scoreless efforts, and the amount of bats he missed Wednesday was especially encouraging. The 26-year-old is slated to remain at Durham for the duration of his rehab, which should encompass the remainder of May at minimum.

Beeks (3-0) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing four hits over three scoreless innings of relief while striking out four in a 1-0 victory over the Marlins.

Seven different Rays pitchers combined for the shutout, but Beeks was the only one who recorded more than four outs. The southpaw continues to thrive working behind an opener, and he'll carry a 2.25 ERA and 33:10 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing.

Chapman recorded two saves in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, allowing one hit while striking out four over two scoreless innings.

Chapman had little trouble preserving the Yankees' leads. He's shown no signs of slowing down despite early concerns about his velocity, as he's recorded at least one strikeout in each of his 18 appearances this season. Chapman's paired 25 strikeouts across 16.2 innings with a strong 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP to remain one of the more reliable closers to begin the campaign.

Soto (0-2) allowed two runs on three hits across two innings of work Wednesday against the Astros to take the loss. He walked two and struck out three

Soto was only expected to go a few innings after firing 88 pitches in his big-league debut Saturday, and the Tigers were true to their word, limiting the 24-year-old to just two innings and 47 pitches. The lefty is expected to stick in the rotation moving forward with Ryan Carpenter getting optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Soto figures to face a limited pitch count again in his next scheduled start Sunday against the Athletics.

Phillips was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk following Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Phillips served as Baltimore's 26th man for the twin bill, but didn't make an appearance in either game. The 24-year-old has a 7.11 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB over 12.2 innings while in the majors this season.

Jurado is expected to join the Rangers' starting rotation over the weekend, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jurado is expected to start in place of Shelby Miller, who was removed from the rotation after struggling to a 9.51 ERA and 20:23 K:BB through his first eight starts (29.1 innings). The 23-year-old Jurado has made eight appearances for the Rangers since earning a promotion at the end of April, compiling a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB in 12 innings during those outings. Jurado hasn't started since April 21, so he'll likely be on a limited pitch count in his first start for the big club.

Miller is not expected to make his next scheduled start, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It sounds like Miller will be removed from the rotation for the time being, with Ariel Jurado expected to make a start over the weekend in his place. The 28-year-old Miller was rocked for eight runs in just 1.2 innings his last time out, and he now owns a brutal 9.51 ERA and 20:23 K:BB through 29.1 innings on the season. It remains to be seen whether Miller will rejoin the rotation at a later point in the season after working through some kinks.

Harvey was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Harvey was sent to the minors to free up a spot on the roster for Kendrys Morales, who was activated ahead of the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader. During his time with the big club, Harvey made eight appearances out of the bullpen and compiled a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB in 8.1 innings.