MLB Player News

Farmer (1-0) pitched 6.1 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts during Saturday's win over the White Sox in the second game of their doubleheader.

This was a spot start for Farmer, so he's unlikely to stick in the rotation at this point. However, the excellent outing certainly won't go unnoticed. He's made nine starts with Triple-A Toledo this season and sports a 3.10 FIP, 1.30 WHIP and 8.9 K/9, so the 26-year-old righty could be a potential fantasy option if he earns a full-time gig in the Detroit rotation.

Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after throwing a complete game shutout Saturday against the Mariners, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Johnson was dominant in his spot start Saturday, fanning eight hitters while not walking a single batter. However, with David Price set for his debut Monday, there simply isn't a spot in the rotation for Johnson at the moment. He'll head back to Triple-A for now, but Saturday's performance will make him a prime candidate for another spot start down the line.

Fulmer (5-4) allowed three runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out four to take the loss Saturday against the White Sox.

Fulmer pitched an eight-inning complete game, but with no offensive support, he suffered his fourth loss of the season. With a 2.65 ERA, he's proven that his solid 2016 performance wasn't a mirage, and he's an elite fantasy option. He'll make his next start Friday against the White Sox.

Betances fired 1.2 scoreless innings while striking out three to earn his fifth save Saturday against the Athletics.

Betances was protecting a one-run lead, and he finished both the eighth and ninth innings to record a five-out save. With a miniscule 0.52 ERA, fantasy owners can use him as a closer with great confidence while Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) remains on the disabled list.

Flynn (back) is scheduled to pitch his first rehab game for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Flynn is finally ready for game action after falling through a barn and injuring himself in mid-February. The 27-year-old isn't guaranteed a spot on the big-league roster upon his return from the DL, so some success on his rehab assignment could prove to be crucial. More information regarding the next step in his recovery should be available following his first start Saturday.

Hart was recalled by the Orioles on Saturday.

The Orioles switched out lefty relievers Saturday, bringing back Hart and optioning Jayson Aquino back to Triple-A Norfolk. Hart has been effective this season despite being somewhat hittable, notching a 3.95 ERA with a 1.68 WHIP over 13.2 innings. He figures to serve as the Orioles' primary left-handed specialist while he's up with the big-league club.

Mengden is expected to join the big-league rotation next week, likely starting Monday in Cleveland, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

The team will decide Sunday whether or not to put Kendall Graveman (shoulder) on the DL, but that move seems highly likely, as he is expected to miss significant time with this latest shoulder injury. Mengden would be taking Graveman's spot in the rotation, but he could only be around for one start, as Jesse Hahn (triceps) could come off the DL next weekend. Mengden would be able to start Monday on an extra day of rest after tossing seven shutout innings in his last start Tuesday. He has a 2.21 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 20.1 innings this season at Triple-A.

Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket and will start for Boston on Saturday.

This will likely be a one-and-done start for Johnson as the Red Sox will activate David Price next week. To make room for Johnson on the roster, the Red Sox optioned reliever Ben Taylor to Pawtucket.

Farmer will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

Farmer, who will be making his 2017 debut, had been scheduled to start the first game of the doubleheader. He'll square off against Chicago's Derek Holland.

Barnes pitched a scoreless eighth inning as the bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel in Friday's 3-0 win over Seattle.

Barnes has served as the eighth-inning bridge to Kimbrel the last two games. Manager John Farrell's confidence in Barnes wavered a bit when the right-hander had a rough stretch through late April and early May, but he's been dominant the past two weeks. Since May 14, Barnes has pitched 6.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks.