MLB Player News

Kimbrel struck out the side in order Wednesday against the Orioles for his second save of the year.

Boston's big bullpen acquisition just got his spot blown up by a Chris Davis homer Monday, but he was right back at it in this one. Still only 27 years old, Kimbrel's struck out eight batters in four games, and there's no reason we shouldn't see him once again finish among the top few closers in baseball.

Kelly (1-0) put a dozen men on base -- seven hits and five walks -- in five innings Wednesday, but struck out six, limited the Orioles to two runs and earned the win.

With 14 hits and eight walks allowed through his first eight innings, this certainly wasn't the start Kelly wanted to 2016, but the Red Sox have managed to win both of his starts anyway. The 27-year-old righty has been very hittable while showing unimpressive control throughout his career, and it sure doesn't look like Kelly's taken any sort of a step forward this year.

Diaz, 22, has a 1.64 ERA and 16:1 K:BB ratio through 11 innings for Double-A Jackson.

The top prospect in the Seattle system, Diaz has been scorching to begin the season. He did fan 145 batters in 141.1 innings between High-A and Double-A last year, though also posted 4.57 ERA once he was promoted to the higher level. Still, he has a high-90's heater, improving off speed stuff and pretty stellar control. The Mariners have a rather poor farm system, but Diaz is the cream of the crop.

Colome pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the Indians.

The 27-year-old right-hander made his first appearance since Apr. 5, and has now yielded three hits and a walk over three innings this season. He's yet to give up a run, but has not had a save opportunity as the presumptive closer while Brad Boxberger (abdomen) remains sidelined.

Venditte was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Barry Davis of Sportsnet reports.

Venditte has appeared in two innings for the Bisons and has struck out five batters, which warranted a callup when the Blue Jays were in need of a left-hander to replace Aaron Loup and Franklin Morales. The switch-pitcher will likely slot into a middle-relief role while also taking a fair amount of matchups with left-handed batters. In a corresponding move, Arnold Leon was designated for assignment.

Jackson (back) was activated from the 15-day DL and optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Jackson has the prospect pedigree and stuff to someday feature near the back of a big league bullpen, but he has plenty of ironing out to do at Triple-A before he's ready for such a role. Look for him to make it back up to the big leagues sometime this summer, initially taking on some low-leverage innings.

May could be in the mix for saves while Glen Perkins (shoulder) is on the disabled list.

Kevin Jepsen, who has experience as a closer, will likely get the first crack at landing the closing role for the Twins while Perkins is on the shelf, but May also figures to move into a potentially relevant fantasy role. Look for May to be the Twins' eighth inning man that could get some save opportunities in instances where Jepsen has pitched multiple days in a row. Although Jepsen has experience on his side, May has the most upside in the Twins bullpen thanks to his ability to get strikeouts and heavy fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s.

Rogers was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

With the Twins placing closer Glen Perkins on the disabled list Wednesday, they needed to add another arm to the bullpen. Rogers, a 25-year-old left-hander, will serve as another lefty specialist out of the bullpen but he's expected to pitch in primarily lower leverage situations.

Layne made his season debut in Tuesday night's loss to Baltimore. He finished up the game, striking out two in one inning.

Layne is Boston's situational left-hander out of the bullpen, but there hasn't been too many situations calling for his skill set. The Red Sox starting staff has been atrocious through seven games -- 7.32 ERA, last in MLB -- so there's been little need for Layne to face a tough left-handed batter in a tight game.

Santiago was lucky to avoid a loss Tuesday in Oakland after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and one walk with only three strikeouts in 7.2 innings.

Santiago still hasn't been involved in a decision this season, but only because the Angels were able to rally from a 4-1 deficit in the final two innings. His tremendous 1.02 WHIP through two starts suggests the lefty could be due for a more productive outing when he next takes the mound in Chicago against the White Sox on Monday.