MLB Player News

Smith (elbow) will ramp up his activity while out on a rehabilitation assignment, Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald reports.

Smith has been on a schedule of pitching every third day while rehabbing at Triple-A Pawtucket, but manager John Farrell is considering giving him just one day off after his next scheduled appearance Monday. The right-hander has progressively bounced back quicker coming out of the outings and is ready to test out throwing on shorter rest.

Pomeranz (back) is optimistic he'll make his next scheduled start Wednesday, Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Pomeranz left Friday's start early after 4.1 innings due to back spasms on his right side near the belt line. We'll learn more about the left-hander's availability when he performs his between-starts throwing Monday.

Giles, who had worked a five-out save Friday, was unavailable for a save opportunity in Saturday's 3-0 win over Oakland.

With Giles unavailable, Tyler Clippard was brought in to close out the Athletics on Saturday. Giles still has a firm hold of the closer's job in Houston, so no need to worry there.

McHugh pitched six scoreless innings with three strikeouts during Saturday's win over Oakland. He allowed six hits and a walk.

McHugh has now allowed two runs or fewer in four of his six starts since returning from the disabled list. Additionally, outside of a forgettable showing against the White Sox (seven runs allowed through 5.1 innings), he's been solid and is closing in on matchup-proof fantasy status. McHugh takes a 4.01 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.3 K/9 into his next start at Angel Stadium against Los Angeles.

Betances pitched a perfect inning while striking out two to earn his ninth save Saturday against the Red Sox.

Betances, protecting a one-run lead, shut down the Red Sox without an ounce of drama. With Aroldis Chapman no longer the team's official closer, Betances could be in line for more save opportunities, but it also could be difficult to predict when some of the other talented relievers in the Yankees' bullpen may be called upon as well.

Diaz allowed one run on one hit while striking out one across one inning to earn his 27th save Saturday against the Rays.

Despite giving up a solo homer to Logan Morrison, Diaz still earned the save, as he was protecting a two-run lead. Although his 3.74 ERA is a bit on the high side, his 27 saves make him a strong fantasy option.

Fulmer (10-11) landed in the loss column Saturday after allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks through seven innings against the Dodgers. He struck out six.

Fulmer bounced back from a string of rough outings and fired a gem in his second start back from the DL, but the 24-year-old was unlucky and endured his fifth straight loss as the Tigers were shut out. He breezed through the first six frames without allowing a runner into scoring position before a two-base error by Nick Castellanos in the seventh inning led to the only run -- unearned -- scored against Fulmer. He now owns a 3.60 ERA over 23 starts this season, a number he'll look to keep lowering when he faces the White Sox on Friday in his next start.

Fulmer (leg) will be recalled to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Twins, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The White Sox are shuffling their rotation for the upcoming doubleheader, pushing Lucas Giolito's start to Tuesday while giving Fulmer the Game 2 nod. Fulmer left his most recent start at Triple-A with a leg cramp, but it appears to be a non-issue heading into Monday. Fulmer, a former first-round selection, has not appeared at the big-league level this season and has a troubling 5.61 ERA over 24 starts at Triple-A this season.

Abreu (shoulder) will return from his rehab assignment and start Sunday's game for High-A Tampa, Nick Flammia, the play-by-play announcer for the Tampa Yankees, reports.

Abreu, who has been rehabbing in the Gulf Coast League, struck out six over three shutout innings in his last rehab start. He has explosive stuff and was touching triple digits with his fastball earlier this year. If he can stay healthy, he has a high ceiling as a starter and a high floor as a shutdown reliever.

Robertson could get some save chances going forward, as Aroldis Chapman was officially removed from the closer's role Saturday.

The Yankees have not specified who will get saves, but Dellin Betances and Robertson figure to be the top two options. Betances is owned in most fantasy leagues, but Robertson may be available and is worth an add, especially for owners chasing saves in deeper leagues.