MLB Player News

Clase tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Athletics on Saturday to pick up his sixth save of the season.

Asking Clase to preserve a three-run lead against the A's is about as easy as a save opportunity gets, but his fantasy managers will take it. Clase did give up a leadoff double to Ryan Noda in this one, but he quickly rebounded with a couple punchouts sandwiched around a groundout. The 26-year-old closer has been credited with two blown saves this season, but he's been charged with just one earned run and has a 9:0 K:BB over 10 frames.

Fairbanks was unavailable to pitch Saturday versus the Yankees due to stomach issues, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks wasn't even at the ballpark, as he was told to remain at the team hotel with his illness. It explains why Garrett Cleavinger was called upon for the save chance in the 10th inning Saturday (which he converted). Fairbanks has had a rocky start to the season with a 9.00 ERA and eight walks over seven innings, but he's been tagged with only one blown save. Once he feels well enough to pitch, Fairbanks still looks like the best bet to receive the Rays' next save opportunity.

White was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The 24-year-old took the roster spot of Jack Leiter, who was sent down after making his MLB debut Thursday. White hasn't pitched well in three starts for Round Rock this season with a 7.30 ERA across 12.1 innings, but he will be available in relief for the time being. White got his feet wet in the big leagues last summer with a couple appearances out of the Texas bullpen.

Winckowski will start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

He will be taking the spot vacated by Garrett Whitlock (oblique). Winckowski hasn't pitched longer than 2.2 innings in any relief outing this season and went just one frame in each of his last two appearances, so Sunday's start will be a pretty short one. With Whitlock slated to miss at least a couple weeks, Winckowski could be needed for additional starts after Sunday.

Jax pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Tigers on Saturday en route to his second save of the season.

Called upon to protect a one-run lead, Jax was nails Saturday, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. He reached as high as 96.9 mph on his fastball and earned his first save since Opening Day. While Jax appears to be first in line for save chances right now, he doesn't seem to have much of a window with Jhoan Duran (oblique) closing in on a rehab assignment. Duran threw 21 pitches in live batting practice Friday.

The Blue Jays recalled Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson has thrown 6.1 scoreless innings in the majors this season, and he'll get another opportunity to rejoin the Jays' bullpen as Chad Green (shoulder) moves to the injured list. The 27-year-old right-hander will presumably continue serving in middle relief while in Toronto.

The Blue Jays placed Green on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a teres major strain in his right shoulder, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Green's shoulder has kept him out of action since Monday, and it will officially cost him another couple of weeks as he moves to the IL. Nate Pearson will come up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move to fill the open spot in Toronto's bullpen.

Cleavinger threw a scoreless 10th inning with one strikeout against the Yankees on Saturday to earn his first career save.

After Jason Adam pitched a clean ninth to preserve a scoreless tie, Tampa Bay scored the game's only runs in the top of the 10th to create the save chance. It was the left-handed Cleavinger who got the call with Pete Fairbanks unavailable due to a stomach illness, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, and Cleavinger shut the door on 17 pitches (12 strikes). While Cleavinger battles fits of wildness, he also misses bats and may continue to see the occasional matchups-based opportunity with Fairbanks struggling in the ninth to begin the season. The 29-year-old Cleavinger already has three wins this season to go along with Saturday's save.

Weiss (shoulder) still has not progressed to pitching off a mound, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Weiss was sidelined early in spring training with a teres major strain in his right shoulder and it doesn't sound like he's made much progress. He was set to compete for a middle relief role before the injury.

The Royals placed Lyles (personal) on the inactive list Saturday.

Lyles will step away from the team as he tends to a personal matter. The 33-year-old righty has yet to allow a run through five innings this season, and Anthony Veneziano will come up from Triple-A Omaha to replace him in the bullpen.