MLB Player News

Kimbrel allowed allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three to pick up the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Orioles.

Kimbrel's command was off with just 14 of his 25 pitches going for strikes, but he managed to strike out the final two batters with men on base for his 35th save. It was another shaky effort in recent run of shaky outings. He hasn't had a clean outing over his last seven games, posting a 7.36 ERA with two blown saves. He's allowed six runs on eight hits, including two home runs, five walks and a hit batsman during that stretch.

Barnes will be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo before Monday's game against the Royals, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

The Blue Jays need to make room for Monday's scheduled starter Sean Reid-Foley, and it appears Barnes will be the roster casualty. The 28-year-old has struggled to a 4.60 ERA in the majors this season, so he'll look to turn things around with the Triple-A squad in Buffalo.

Brasier retired the only batter he faced in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Orioles.

Brasier, pitching for a third consecutive day, was called on to clean up a bases-loaded mess left by Tyler Thornburg in the sixth inning and struck out Trey Mancini. It's the kind of high-leverage situation that indicates manager Alex Cora's confidence in the unheralded reliever. Brasier was nowhere near the radar when the season started, but has pitched well since being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, giving up two runs in 15.2 innings (1.15 ERA).

Johnson will start Friday against the Rays, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

The fact that Johnson pitched in Sunday's contest out of the bullpen ended his chances to start Wednesday in Philadelphia, but manager Alex Cora will instead deploy him Friday in the series opener with Tampa Bay. Johnson gave up five earned runs in his previous start, but he won his past two decisions and holds a 3.25 ERA over the team's last 60 games.

Paredes was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Paredes will join the team to provide an extra arm while Tyler Skaggs (adductor) is on the disabled list. He likely won't pitch in many high-leverage situations while he's with the Angels given his lofty 7.71 ERA with the team, however.

Johnson is available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Orioles, but he's still a candidate to start Wednesday against the Phillies, Bill Koch of the Providence Journal reports.

Johnson's spot in the rotation appears to be safe now that Drew Pomeranz is in the bullpen, but with off days on both Monday and Thursday, the club can afford to skip his turn in the rotation and add him to the bullpen for a bit. It's still unclear if Boston intends to deploy Johnson or Nathan Eovaldi on Wednesday, though that should become clearer in the coming days, especially if Johnson has to be used out of the bullpen Sunday.

Rumbelow was optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Rumbelow spent just two days in the majors without making an appearance before being relegated back to the minors. He struggled to the tune of a 7.84 ERA in the majors this season, but he has a strong 2.25 ERA and a 20:6 K:BB in 12 minor-league innings this year. His demotion makes room for Erasmo Ramirez to return from the disabled list and start Sunday's contest.

Burdi (elbow) has made three rehab appearances for the AZL White Sox. He's allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three over 2.2 innings.

The results aren't important right now for Burdi, who is throwing in game conditions for the first time since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery 13 months ago. It's all about building up strength and throwing without restrictions. When he was drafted by the White Sox in 2016, Burdi was billed as a closer of the future. That role will be up for grabs next spring if Burdi's arm is ready for the competition and that type of workload.

Diaz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to pick up his 45th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Astros.

The 24-year-old has been locked in since the All-Star break, converting all nine of his save chances with a 0.90 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB in 10 innings. Diaz came into the season with 52 career saves, and with the M's pushing for a playoff spot, he stands a good chance of doubling that total before 2018 is in the books.

Devenski (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

If there are no setbacks following the session, Devenski will soon head out on a rehab assignment. This will be the second bullpen for Devenski who came out of a session Thursday feeling no pain. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list Aug. 3, retroactive to July 31.