MLB Player News

Jurado will enter Monday's game against the Angels in relief, but will still serve as the Rangers' primary pitcher in the contest.

Jeffrey Springs will start the game as the Rangers opt to mimic the "opener" strategy the Rays have deployed throughout the season, with Jurado set to follow the left-hander. The adjustment can only help the 22-year-old Jurado, who has a 6.69 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over seven starts in the majors this season.

Hendriks (0-1) served as the opener in Saturday's "bullpen day" against the Mariners and allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. He recorded one strikeout.

Just recalled from Triple-A Nashville earlier in the day, Hendriks encountered rough sledding over his 30 pitches. The veteran reliever has found much more success at the minor-league level this season (2.84 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 43:4 K:BB) than with the Athletics, as he'd generated a 7.36 ERA over 11.2 innings before being designated for assignment back on June 25. Hendriks will likely be used in a variety of roles during September, but his body of work at the big-league level this season doesn't offer much reason to believe he'll carry fantasy utility.

Brasier allowed two hits and struck out three over 1.1 innings, picking up his sixth hold in Saturday's 6-1 win over the White Sox.

Brasier removed any doubt as to which member of the bullpen is the most trusted, high-leverage reliever. He entered with two outs in the sixth inning after Nicky Delmonico's double plated Yolmer Sanchez, reducing Boston's lead to 2-1. Brasier fed Avisail Garcia four straight four-seamers and struck him out on a 98 mph rising heater. One inning later, after the first two men reached on singles, he set down the final three batters, liberally using the same high heat that set down Garcia. The Red Sox relievers have had some trouble of late, but Brasier has stood out. Over the month of August, Boston's bullpen has a 3.79 ERA and a league worst 37.2 LOB% while Brasier has a 1.50 ERA and 89.3 LOB%.

Yarbrough appears likely to work as the Rays' primary pitcher in Sunday's game against the Indians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With rosters expanding Saturday, the Rays added more reinforcements to the bullpen in Vidal Nuno and Jaime Schultz, so Yarbrough may not be asked to cover as many innings in relief on days that he pitches as he had previously. Even so, he'll likely stand the best chance of any Rays pitcher to factor into the decision Sunday, making him worth keeping active for fantasy owners looking to make up ground in wins. Yarbrough has worked at least four frames in seven of his last eight appearances, turning in a 4.11 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over that stretch.

The Yankees recalled Loaisiga from Double-A Trenton on Sunday.

Though he's regarded as one of the top young arms in the organization and previously made four starts for the big club earlier this season, Loaisiga will likely head to the bullpen as he reports back to the Yankees. Between his time in the majors and stops at three affiliates in the minors, Loaisiga has accrued only 74 innings, but that still represents the highest total of his career after injuries prevented him from pitching in 2014 and 2015. With that in mind, the 23-year-old's usage will likely be limited in September.

Diaz allowed a hit and a walk but struck out four to record his 51st save of the season Saturday against the Athletics.

Diaz surrendered a two-RBI double to Marcus Semien -- the first batter he faced -- but was not charged with the runs. He then walked the leadoff man in the ninth inning before striking out the next three batters he faced to close out the game. That said, while his line indicates that he had a clean outing, the Athletics managed to get the tying runner on base after Diaz entered the game with a four-run lead. Still, it's hard to be too worried about the performance as he has maintained a 0.80 WHIP and 1.93 ERA across 65.1 innings this season.

Leclerc struck out two without allowing a baserunner to record his eighth save of the season Saturday against the Twins.

Leclerc had no problem shutting down the Twins and remains perfect in save opportunities since taking over the role in August. In 11 innings, he has struck out 20 batters while allowing only one hit and four walks. He's locked in as the Rangers closer and should continue to rack up saves as the season comes to a close.

The Twins recalled Littell from Triple-A Rochester ahead of his role as Sunday's primary pitcher against the Rangers, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Littell, who holds a 3.57 ERA for the Red Wings in the International League, will follow starter Gabriel Moya on Sunday.

Littell will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to be the Twins' "primary pitcher" Sunday against the Rangers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Littell was expected to be Sunday's starter, but manager Paul Moliter will instead opt to utilize the opener strategy, with reliever Gabriel Moya earning the "start." The 22-year-old had a 3.57 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 106 innings with Rochester this season.

Kiekhefer had his contract selected by the Athletics on Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kiekhefer signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics in May and posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 44.2 innings with Triple-A Nashville. The left-hander has a 5.32 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 22 career major-league innings.