MLB Player News

Yarbrough will throw most of the game Saturday against the Angels but won't enter until the second or third inning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays will continue their unconventional pitcher usage, throwing Sergio Romo against the top of the Angels' lineup for an inning or two before handing the ball over to Yarbrough. In terms of fantasy impact, this seems to have a slight positive effect for Yarbrough in most leagues. He'll avoid the Angels' best hitters once through the lineup, and as he's not technically the starter he won't face the requirement of having to throw five innings in order to get a win. Those in quality starts leagues will be disappointed, of course, as Yarbrough can't get a quality start if he's not technically starting, but he's never thrown more than five innings in a game this year so a quality start is more or less off the table anyway regardless of when he enters the game.

Jimenez recorded his eighth hold of the season in Thursday's win over the Mariners by striking out all three batters he faced in the eighth inning.

Jimenez was electric, as he struck out Mitch Haniger, Kyle Seager and Ryon Healy on 14 pitches. The 23-year-old had a 3.71 ERA only 10 days ago, but he hasn't allowed an earned run in his last five appearances (4.2 innings), which has lowered that mark to 2.91. Jimenez also has 22 strikeouts in 21.2 innings this season.

Saupold (2-1) picked up the win Thursday against the Mariners by retiring the lone batter he faced.

This was about as easy a win as a pitcher can get, as Saupold needed just three pitches to induce a Jean Segura groundout in the bottom of the seventh before the Tigers scored twice in the top of the eighth to pull ahead. The 28-year-old has been fairly effective as he now has a 2.30 ERA, though his 1.40 WHIP and six strikeouts in 15.2 innings suggest some regression may be coming.

Leclerc (1-1) allowed four runs (none earned) on one hit and three walks, picking up the loss against the White Sox on Thursday.

Leclerc didn't help himself with a throwing a error, his second one this week, on what could have been the third out. The inning spun out of control from there. The 23-year-old right-hander had performed well for the Rangers this season, which no doubt was a factor for manager Jeff Banister when be brought Leclerc into the game with a two-run lead in the eighth inning. However, he's been tagged with a loss and two blown saves over his past three outings, which could move him out of high-leverage spots for the time being.

Moore will start for the Rangers on Friday against the White Sox, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The initial plan lined up the southpaw for a Saturday outing, but he will take the hill a day earlier as he clings to a rotation spot. Even with the strikeout-friendly Pale Hose staring him down, Moore doesn't inspire much confidence, considering he's been one of the league's worst starters on the season with a 7.82 ERA and 2.00 WHIP.

Coulombe struck out the side in his one inning during Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox.

The veteran lefty set down the trio of Xander Bogaerts, Mitch Moreland and Eduardo Nunez in the eighth on just 16 pitches, 12 of which found the strike zone. Coulombe was a liability in late April and his first outing of May, allowing eight runs (seven earned) across four appearances. However, he's bounced back with five straight scoreless efforts, and he's generated an impressive nine strikeouts combined in three of those outings.

Colome notched his ninth save in a win over the Royals on Wednesday, firing a scoreless ninth inning in which he allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts.

The hard-throwing right-hander ended up closing out all three games of the sweep against the Royals, putting together a trio of one-inning, one-hit scoreless efforts. Colome has had his share of hiccups this season, but he seems to have hit his stride in May -- factoring in Wednesday's production, he sports a 1.17 ERA, 8:0 K:BB and four saves across 7.2 innings in seven appearances during the month.

Kimbrel allowed a solo home run but still managed to pick up his 12th save Wednesday against Oakland.

Kimbrel has already allowed four home runs in 2018, an alarming total considering he has never surrendered more than six in his nine-year professional career. It hasn't hurt Kimbrel's effectiveness much yet, as he owns a 2.45 ERA and has converted 12 of his 14 opportunities, but his home run problem will be something to keep a close eye on as the season progresses.

Hendriks (groin, hip) is set to throw minor-league batting practice Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The veteran reliever has been sidelined since April 14, and he's undergone a cyst removal from his hip during his time on the disabled list in addition to dealing with the groin strain that landed him there. Hendriks will presumably progress to minor-league rehab outings if all goes well Thursday, although another session against live hitters could also be warranted.

Santiago didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over five innings while striking out two.

The veteran left-hander put together his best performance since moving into the rotation, throwing 35 of 64 pitches for strikes before handing things over to the bullpen. Santiago will likely remain in the rotation at least until the end of the month, but his 5.29 ERA and 27:19 K:BB in 32.1 innings makes him relatively unappealing from a fantasy perspective even as a streaming option. He'll next take the mound Monday at home against the Orioles.