MLB Player News

Barnes will fill in as the team's setup man while Joe Smith is sidelined with a shoulder injury, Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun reports.

The sophomore owns a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through 23 games this season. With a new role affording Barnes the chance to earn holds, and a strong 10.8 K/9 through 30 innings, the right-hander is a decent add in deep formats. It's worth noting, though, that manager John Gibbons said Ryan Tepera would also be in the eighth-inning mix.

Valdez was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

He'll fill the vacancy created when Leonel Campos (groin) was placed on the disabled list. Valdez has been solid as a swingman for the Bisons this season, logging a 3.67 ERA and a 29:7 K:BB in 34.1 innings pitched, so he'll head to the majors to provide a fresh arm in Toronto's bullpen. He seems to be destined for a long-relief role.

McHugh (elbow) threw a successful session of live batting practice Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's a major step in the right direction for McHugh, who has been out since experiencing discomfort in spring training. The next step appears to be a simulated game earlier this week, which should give trainers a better estimate as to when the righty will be able to begin a full rehab assignment. McHugh is looking to improve after posting a somewhat disappointing 4.34 ERA and 1.41 WHIP last season.

Garton was placed on the 7-day disabled list with an undisclosed injury Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Garton had made just one appearance with Triple-A Durham since being sent down by the Rays earlier this month, but he has compiled a brilliant 0.52 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 17.1 innings in the minors this season. Unfortunately, the right-hander hasn't been able to translate that success to the majors, posting an 8.71 ERA over seven appearances with the Rays this year. A timetable for his return should be available once more information becomes known regarding his injury.

Leclerc recorded two strikeouts and worked around two walks and a base hit to close out the seventh inning of Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jays.

The Rangers pulled starter Nick Martinez from the game with one out and a runner on first base in the seventh inning, calling upon Leclerc to close out the frame. The right-hander very narrowly escaped disaster, as he walked the first two batters he faced before nearly serving up a grand slam to Steve Pearce, whose long drive to left field barely missed the foul pole. Leclerc would go on to strike out Pearce, then allowed an RBI single before concluding the inning with a bases-loaded strikeout of Kevin Pillar. While Leclerc wasn't at his best Tuesday, he did well to limit the damage and lowered his ERA to 2.37 in the process. As one of manager Jeff Banister's most-trusted relief options, Leclerc will continue to see ample usage in high-leverage situations.

Wilson (3-3) allowed the game-winning run Tuesday against Seattle. He surrendered one hit and one walk while retiring just a single batter.

Wilson got the Tigers out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he was less effective in the 10th. He started the inning by walking Nelson Cruz, then threw a wild pitch to allow a pinch runner to get to second. Kyle Seager followed that up with a game-winning double. Wilson has allowed runs (and taken the loss) in two of his last three appearances, but with a solid 2.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 12.8 K/9, he should be pretty firmly entrenched as Detroit's closer for the foreseeable future.

Strahm (2-4) lasted just three innings Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four.

The young left-hander unfortunately had the tall task of taking on Boston ace Chris Sale, although Strahm labored to just complete three-plus frames. It took him 75 pitches to get through his outing, with 50 of those offerings going for strikes. Most of the damage was done in the fourth inning, in which Strahm failed to record an out before being removed four batters into the frame. This rough outing raised his previously decent ERA to 4.80, a figure he'll look to improve on in his next outing Tuesday against the Tigers.

Martinez (2-3) held the Jays to a single run and two hits over 6.1 innings in Tuesday's 6-1 win. He struck out two and walked three.

He should have had a zero-run line, but after departing with one out and a man on first, Martinez watched the bullpen allow his runner to come around and score. However, Martinez again failed to miss many bats, which is his MO. That high-risk pitching style -- few strikeouts, many homers -- makes him a tough guy to rely on in fantasy even if he can hold down a spot in the Rangers' injury-riddled rotation.

Colome gave up two runs on three hits in the ninth inning Tuesday but still came away with his 20th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Reds.

After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Colome got taken deep by Joey Votto for a solo homer and then allowed another run on two straight hits before striking out Scott Schebler to end the threat. The Rays' closer has now been scored upon in four of his last nine appearances, but still has a solid 2.43 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB in 33.1 innings on the year.

Castro picked up his first big-league victory after striking out one of the two hitters he faced Tuesday against Cleveland.

In his 43rd MLB game, the 22-year-old finally picked up a win. He's been more than serviceable since being called up earlier this month, posting a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over eight innings (six appearances). Castro's fantasy value is nearly nonexistent, though, considering he's rarely used in high-leverage situations.