MLB Player News

Leclerc walked one and struck out two to register his 10th save of the season in Monday's 5-2 win over the Angels.

Leclerc has been phenomenal, throwing 16 consecutive scoreless innings since July 28 while allowing just three hits during that span. The major bugaboo during Leclerc's first two seasons in the majors was an unseemly 7.9 BB/9, but he's lowered that to 3.9 this season and that mark has fallen even further since he became the Rangers' closer (2.7).

Junis (8-12) was solid in Monday's win over the White Sox. He went eight innings and gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out five.

This marked the third consecutive quality start for Junis, who now has a 1.88 ERA and 0.63 WHIP over that span. Junis has pitched well of late as he hasn't allowed more than two runs in a start since Aug. 1. He'll look to keep the streak going Saturday against Minnesota.

Duffey will serve as the opener Tuesday against the Yankees, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Duffey figures to throw the customary 1-to-2 innings and then make way for a long reliever. Through 14 relief appearances for the Twins this season, he's accrued a 9.00 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 19 frames.

Covey is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Covey is set to rejoin the rotation in place of Michael Kopech, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a UCL tear that could ultimately require Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old righty has started 17 games for the White Sox this season, compiling an unsightly 5.87 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 65:39 K:BB across 87.1 innings in those outings.

Rowley was outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Rowley will stick with the Express after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old spent most of the year at Triple-A, compiling a 3.34 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 96:58 K:BB across 142.2 innings (24 starts) combined between Buffalo and Round Rock. Rowley owns a 7.91 ERA and 1.91 WHIP across 19.1 career big-league innings.

Lopez threw six scoreless innings Sunday, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out 10 against the Angels. He didn't factor into the decision, though.

Lopez was sharp in his 29th start of the 2018 campaign, but he wasn't rewarded with the win in a 1-0 ballgame. The 24-year-old has been lights-out over his previous three starts, surrendering just two runs while punching out 24 across 20 innings of work. Lopez carries a 4.22 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 132 strikeouts into his next appearance Saturday in Baltimore.

Fulmer (3-11) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals, as he allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

Fulmer took a line drive to his right shin in his last start, which forced him from the game, but he was able to toss 97 pitches and log a quality start (sort of) Sunday. The 25-year-old has seen his ERA climb in each of his three MLB seasons, as he has a 4.56 mark this season following a 3.06 ERA in 2016 and a 3.83 ERA last year, but he has the talent to have a strong finish to 2018. Fulmer next lines up to face Cleveland on the road Saturday.

Diaz struck out one batter and hit another in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.

Diaz continues to dominate to the tune of a 1.84 ERA with 54 saves. He also owns a terrific 118:16 K:BB and has walked just one batter since the start of August.

Giles came in to record the final out of Sunday's game, stranding two runners on base with a four-run lead to save Toronto's win over Cleveland.

The save was the 20th of the season for the embattled reliever, whose ratios have gotten worse since leaving Houston to join the Toronto pen. However, at least he seems to have a clear-cut hold on the closer's job the rest of the way.

Jurado (2-5) recorded just two outs and took the loss Sunday, yielding five runs on four hits and two walks in the 7-3 loss to Oakland.

Jurado came in after Jeffrey Springs tossed three scoreless innings and got thrashed for five runs without finishing the fourth frame. He also failed to record a strikeout for the first time this season. The poor performance bumped Jurado's ERA to 7.03 in 39.2 innings this season.