MLB Player News

Duffey threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Thursday's loss to Toronto. Duffey has worked with new Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson to throw higher in the strike zone and quit using his sinker, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins and Johnson have changed the team's philosophy, with pitchers throwing strikes higher in the strike zone, and Duffey may benefit as he had six scoreless innings at Triple-A with 11 strikeouts before he as called up before Tuesday's game. Duffey could provide the Twins with a much needed boost in middle relief, while high-leverage opportunities can be had if he has success.

Manager Chris Woodward believes Miller will turn around his slow start, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Miller, who is coming back from elbow surgery, has pitched just 10 innings across three starts, and those starts have not gone well. However, Woodward saw the positive in Monday's outing during which the right-hander retired five of the last six batters faced. "He showed me a lot, because I told him after the third inning I was going to take him out," Woodward said. "He insisted that I leave him in there. I was really hoping he would say that. I was hoping he wouldn't just accept ... OK, I'm done." The manager didn't confirm Miller will remain in the starting rotation, but Woodward's comments suggest Miller will be on the hill Sunday at home against the streaking Astros.

Devenski struck out one and did not allow a hit in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 9-1 win over the Athletics.

Devenski mopped up the final two outs for his third scoreless outing in five appearances. Tuesday's effort was the first of the five in which the right-hander did not allow a baserunner. Devenski will be used in low-to-mid leverage situations out of the bullpen and has posted an 8:1 K:BB though six innings.

Hand allowed one hit and struck out one to earn his sixth save of the season in a 4-2 victory against the Mariners on Tuesday.

The other two outs Hand recorded were loud outs -- line drives that fielders made nice plays on -- which was particularly nerve-racking with a runner at second, but Hand earned his sixth save. While he does have a loss this season, Hand is 6-for-6 in save opportunities with a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 8.2 innings.

McHugh (3-1) threw six shutout innings, allowing only two hits with five strikeouts and two walks in a victory against the Athletics on Tuesday.

The Astros have now won 10 straight since a sluggish start, and McHugh has won three of those contests. He only threw 89 pitches and probably could have pitched longer, but with a nine-run lead in the seventh, the Astros handed the game over to the bullpen. McHugh has been stellar this season, going 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 23 innings over four starts. His next scheduled outing is at home against the Twins on Monday.

Barria (1-1) allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three across five innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Rangers.

Barria made his first start of the season in place of the injured Tyler Skaggs (ankle). Though his overall line was ugly, Barria wasn't entirely ineffective as the majority of his damage came on a home run by Asdrubal Cabrera. Additionally, the bullpen allowed an inherited runner to score after Barria surrendered a leadoff single, accounting for his fourth earned run. It's unclear how long Skaggs will remain out, but Barria could be in line to pick up his second start of the season Sunday against Seattle.

Lopez (0-2) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out 10 across six innings to take the loss Tuesday against the White Sox.

Lopez was taken deep three times -- twice by Yoan Moncada -- to sink his start Tuesday. He did generate 10 strikeouts on the strength of 23 called strikes and 14 swinging strikes. While it was a disappointing effort, Lopez entered Tuesday's start having logged two consecutive quality starts and has racked up 23 strikeouts across 23 innings pitched for the season.

Lopez (1-2) allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Royals.

Lopez turned in his longest and most effective outing of the season, surrendering only a solo home run to Lucas Duda. The effort was both his first quality start and win of the season, and comes on the heels of three consecutive ugly starts in which he surrendered 18 earned runs across 13.1 innings. He'll look to build on this solid effort in his next start, likely to come Sunday at Detroit.

Giles earned his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 6-5 victory over the Twins. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

Giles picked up his fifth save in six chances but was certainly shaky in this one as he permitted a leadoff homer to Marwin Gonzalez and walked the next batter. After recording two outs, the game was almost tied on a double by Byron Buxton, but C.J. Cron was thrown out at the plate to end the contest. Giles now has a 3.38 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with a 12:5 K:BB this season.

Stanek will serve as the opening pitcher Wednesday against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Stanek last appeared as an opener Friday and recorded three strikeouts over two scoreless innings. Yonny Chirinos figures to be an option to pitch after Stanek, but the Rays haven't fully announced their pitching plans. The 27-year-old has a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings to begin the season.