-
Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Tigers' Gregory Soto: Called up for Saturday's start
Soto was called up from Double-A Erie on Saturday.
Soto is set to make his big-league debut Saturday and start the second game of the Tigers' doubleheader with the Twins. Soto reached the Double-A level for the first time in late April, so chances are he will head back to the minors for more seasoning after Saturday's outing.
-
Liam Hendriks RP | CHC
Athletics' Liam Hendriks: Serving as opener Saturday
Hendriks will work as an opener in Saturday's game against the Indians.
Aaron Brooks was set to start Saturday and will still likely be counted on to eat the most innings for the A's, but Hendriks will be on the mound when the game gets underway. Hendriks owns a 1.77 ERA and 22:9 K:BB in 20.1 innings over 16 appearances out of the bullpen this season.
-
Shelby Miller RP | CHC
Rangers' Shelby Miller: Will start next Tuesday
Miller will make his next scheduled start Tuesday on the road against Kansas City, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Manager Chris Woodward flirted with the idea of moving Miller to the bullpen or skipping his slot Tuesday. The manager opted to keep Miller in the rotation and on schedule instead of moving up Mike Minor to pitch on normal rest. Minor has averaged 106 pitches over his last five starts, a significant leap from the 91-pitch average per outing he had in 2018. Miller will enter the contest with a 7.48 ERA and 21 walks over 27.2 innings.
-
Brad Hand RP | ATL
Indians' Brad Hand: Serves up walkoff blast
Hand (2-2) took the loss Friday against Oakland, giving up a solo home run to Matt Chapman to lead off the bottom of the 12th inning.
The closer tried to get Chapman with a slider on a 3-2 pitch, but instead the Oakland slugger ripped it down the left-field line for his first career walkoff hit. It's the first home run Hand has served up this season, and his 1.62 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB through 16.2 innings remain elite numbers -- not to mention his perfect 10-for-10 showing in saves.
-
Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Yankees' Aroldis Chapman: Nails down ninth save
Chapman allowed a hit and struck out two to pick up the save Friday against the Rays.
Chapman retired the first two batters without much trouble, and even though he allowed the tying run to reach first base on a single, he managed to fan the final batter to ensure victory. The left-hander has converted five straight save opportunities and owns a 2.45 ERA with 21 punchouts in 2019.
-
Eduardo Jimenez RP | DET
Tigers' Eduardo Jimenez: Heads back to minors
Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Friday's game against the Twins.
Jimenez got knocked around in his last appearance Thursday against the Angels, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. The Tigers will announce a corresponding move Saturday morning prior to their doubleheader.
-
Jesse Chavez RP | ATL
Rangers' Jesse Chavez: To serve as opener
Chavez will open Saturday's game against the Astros, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Chavez is slated to throw one inning before giving way to Drew Smyly, who's expected to handle the bulk of the innings. Chavez owns a 7.27 ERA and 1.90 WHIP with 13 punchouts over 17.1 innings this season.
-
Ryne Stanek RP | STL
Rays' Ryne Stanek: To open Saturday's matchup
Stanek will serve as the opener Saturday against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
As he's done multiple times over the last two seasons, Stanek will toss the first inning or so before making way for the primary pitcher. Yonny Chirinos figures to handle the bulk of the innings Saturday.
-
Erik Swanson RP | TOR
Mariners' Erik Swanson: Struggles through rough outing
Swanson (1-4) took the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings Friday night against the Red Sox.
Swanson had a rough go of it, allowing four runs in the third inning, another in the fourth and two more in the fifth prior to his removal from the contest. His inability to keep the ball in the yard was a key issue for Swanson, as four of his seven runs came via the long ball. Following Friday's outing, he owns a 6.35 ERA with a 21:5 K:BB across 28.1 frames in 2019.
-
Ken Giles RP | ATL
Blue Jays' Ken Giles: Secures ninth save
Giles struck out one in the ninth inning Friday night against the White Sox for the save.
Giles didn't have much trouble retiring the side in order, needing just 12 pitches to record save No. 9. The 28-year-old has now tossed nine consecutive scoreless outings and owns a 1.56 ERA with 26 punchouts over 17.1 frames on the year.