MLB Player News

Chapman allowed three runs on three walks, a hit by pitch and a hit without getting a single out Saturday against the Mets.

Chapman entered a fresh top of the ninth and nearly blew the game. Sixteen of his 19 pitches were balls, including each of his last 11. He was bailed out by Chasen Shreve, who got two straight groundouts (including a double play) to save the game. Chapman has never been known as anything close to a master of control, but Saturday's outing was uncharacteristically poor. For now, it can probably be treated as a fluke and perhaps chalked up to the fact that he hadn't pitched in a week, but another similarly ugly outing would be cause for concern.

Paredes was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Paredes returns to Triple-A once again after not making an appearance in the two games since being recalled last Sunday. The 23-year-old right-hander will likely make his way back to the Angels for the ninth time relatively soon.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez joined the Rangers in early July and allowed three runs on 11 hits over 6.2 innings during his brief stint with the team. The 25-year-old returns to Round Rock, where he has a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 17 games this season.

Fulmer (oblique) underwent an MRI which revealed a Grade 1 strain of his left oblique, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

All things considered it's good news for Fulmer, with a Grade 1 strain being a mild diagnosis. The 25-year-old is still likely to miss multiple turns in the rotation and currently has no official timetable for his return, but he'll start by resting for a week before resuming baseball activities, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Long reliever Blaine Hardy will re-enter the Tigers' starting rotation in his absence.

Junis (back) was activated off the 10-day disabled list ahead of Saturday's game against the Twins.

Junis returns from a brief stint on the disabled list with lower-back inflammation after allowing 28 earned runs - including 12 home runs -- across his previous 27 innings. The 25-year-old will hope to regain his early-season form against the Twins, as he had a 3.62 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through his first 12 starts.

Milner was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Milner made a pair of appearances for the Rays after being acquired from Philadelphia. He gave up three runs (one earned) in 1.1 innings. Outfielder Justin Williams was called up in a corresponding move.

Mengden is expected to make his next start at Triple-A Nashville after Athletics manager Bob Melvin suggested that Frankie Montas would likely be recalled from the minors when a fifth starter is needed Tuesday against the Rangers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

After a three-week stay on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained foot, Mengden was activated July 14 and immediately optioned to Triple-A, despite having turned in a respectable 4.47 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over his first 16 starts with Oakland. Though he was bypassed for a promotion out of the All-Star break, Mengden looks to be the next man in line should the Athletics elect to make a rotation change. Montas and Brett Anderson would seem most at risk of ceding their respective spots to Mengden if either pitcher struggles in his subsequent outing with the big club.

Stanek will start for the Rays against the Marlins on Saturday.

The right-hander is expected to be capped at about two innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Stanek has allowed only three runs in 19 appearances since the beginning of June, submitting a 1.08 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 in 25 innings.

Diaz got the save against the White Sox on Friday, striking out one and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning to preserve Seattle's 3-1 victory.

The 24-year-old kept his superb season right on rolling with yet another scoreless appearance to tally his league-leading 37th save of the campaign. It was the continuation of what has been a truly ridiculous stretch for the flame-throwing All-Star, who has logged 18 saves in a row since he last blew an opportunity way back on June 1 against the Rays.

Kimbrel picked up the save Friday against the Tigers as he allowed one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Kimbrel continues to serve as an outstanding closer, having collected 31 saves as the second half of the season gets under way. He finished the 2017 campaign with 35 saves, so he's well on his way to surpassing his total from a year ago. Kimbrel boasts a 1.73 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 63 strikeouts over 41.2 innings.