MLB Player News

Rangers manager Jeff Banister said that Leclerc (finger) would be reevaluated Friday before the team determines whether to activate him from the 10-day disabled list or extend his rehab assignment, Sam Butler of MLB.com reports.

Leclerc, who has been out since May 8 with a bruise on his right index finger, has made a pair of relief appearances for Double-A Frisco, covering two scoreless innings and striking out three batters. The right-hander noted after the outings that he feels as though he's ready to come back, so unless he experiences some renewed soreness as Friday's series opener with the Astros approaches, it's expected that Leclerc will be available out of the Rangers bullpen. After compiling a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 11.2 innings prior to hitting the DL, Leclerc should immediately settle into a high-leverage role in front of closer Matt Bush.

Wilson struck out two batters during a scoreless ninth inning to collect his fifth save of the season during Wednesday's win over Kansas City.

It hasn't been a cakewalk for Wilson of late, and while he's converted four of his past five save opportunities, he's also allowed five runs (5.40 ERA) through 8.1 innings over his latest eight appearances. He's sporting a helpful 14.3 K/9 for the season and has grabbed a save in each of his past two outings without allowing a run.

Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Armstrong appeared in four games since his May 16 call-up, all of which have been in losing efforts for The Tribe. The 26-year-old right-hander owns a 6.00 ERA across nine appearances in 2017, and although the numbers aren't great, he remains an option for bullpen depth as the season wears on.

Chavez fired seven innings of one-run ball Wednesday, but he did not factor into the decision in a 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Chavez finished May on a high note after giving up 10 runs over his previous two starts. He was aggressive in the strike zone (66 strikes to 26 balls) against a Braves lineup that has been without Freddie Freeman and he came out unscathed. Chavez's only run came via the long ball, extending his unenviable home run streak to nine appearances. The veteran's pedestrian 6.9 K/9 and 1.9 HR/9 limit his value to a matchup play in deep formats. That said, his next start against the righty-heavy Tigers (18th in home runs) next Tuesday could provide another favorable matchup.

Burdi (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Devan Fink of Cover Those Bases reports.

Burdi will hopefully return to the mound sometime in the middle of the 2018 season. The 24-year-old will look to build on the success he was having at Double-A Chattanooga in 2017 (0.53 ERA and 20:4 K:BB through 17 innings) when he returns to the mound .

Colome gave up two hits, a walk and a run, but still recorded the final three outs of Wednesday's 10-inning win over Texas for his 15th save.

He had a three-run cushion to work with, so Colome had the luxury of giving up a rare earned run -- just his second in his last 14 appearances. With a 2.05 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, Colome remains one of the game's more productive closers.

Norris will have his next start pushed back, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers have an off-day Thursday, so they'll push Justin Verlander's next start up a day so he's pitching on regular rest. With Verlander starting in his normal spot, Norris will likely take his next turn against the Angels on Tuesday.

Kimbrel struck out the side on 14 pitches to earn his 15th save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Kimbrel hasn't allowed a hit in nine games, and the walk he allowed in his previous outing was the first free pass in 65 batters faced. He's been a markedly different pitcher in 2017 than what we saw in 2016, when he walked a career-high 5.1 batters per nine innings.

Pomeranz (5-3) allowed one run on seven hits without a walk and struck out eight over a season-high seven innings in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Pomeranz was dinged for a run in the second inning, then dominated while ceding just four singles over his final five frames. He's been brilliant in his last two starts, pitching around the zone with 19 strikeouts and just one walk in 13 innings. Primarily a fastball-curveball pitcher earlier in the year, the lefty has introduced more cutters in recent outings, and having that third pitch makes him less predictable. Pomeranz will next pitch Tuesday in New York against the Yankees.

Smith (elbow) will face live hitters next Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

This will mark the first time Smith will face live hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. If all goes well, he'll progress to a simulated game before heading out on a rehab assignment. He's still hoping to return around late June.