MLB Player News

Urena will start Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Urena will make his first start of the 2024 season, though he's given the Rangers length out of the bullpen at times through the first month of the campaign. He most recently worked three frames April 27 vs. Cincinnati and three innings April 18 against Detroit. He'll likely be called upon to eat anywhere from two to four innings Tuesday if all goes according to plan.

Thielbar struck out two batters in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Mariners on Monday.

Thielbar faced the heart of Seattle's lineup after Jhoan Duran pitched a perfect eighth inning. It was Thielbar's third save of the year and first since April 29. He lowered his ERA to 6.14 with a 9:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings. Duran should still see most of the save chances in Minnesota but there should still be some vulture save opportunities for the likes of Thielbar and Griffin Jax.

Duran struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning and earned a hold during Monday's win over Seattle.

Duran was called upon to face the Mariners' 9-1-2 hitters in a 3-1 contest. After earning a save in each of his first two appearances of 2024, he's picked up a hold in his last two games. Duran is the primary closing option in Minnesota but it appears there may be more of a committee than expected. Last season, he converted 27 of 32 saves and picked up only one hold.

Alexander did not factor into the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out seven.

Alexander looked especially sharp Monday night against a weak White Sox team, striking out a season-high seven batters while generating 13 whiffs. The Rays left-hander has pitched to the tune of a 4.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB over 32.2 innings this season. However, his time in the starting rotation is likely over as Taj Bradley (pectoral) appears on track to return from the injured list this week.

Stratton allowed two walks in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.

Stratton forced a double play after the first walk, so he didn't face a very threatening push from Milwaukee. It was his second save of the year and first since April 6, while it's worth noting that normal closer James MacArthur was likely unavailable after pitching two innings Sunday. Stratton blew his last opportunity when he was slammed for five runs against Detroit on April 27. He is sporting a 5.40 ERA with a shaky 12:12 K:BB through 15 frames.

Waguespack was recalled from Triple-A Durham and placed on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a shoulder injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Topkin notes that the club has elected to promote Waguespack and place him on the IL so that if he were to have a setback and require a longer shutdown period, Tampa Bay could shift him to the 60-day IL to clear up a spot on the 40-man roster. The club has yet to disclose any details on Waguespack's injury.

Wentz tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Guardians. He allowed one hit and struck out four.

Wentz relieved starter Jack Flaherty and kept Detroit in the game, as the lefty continued his excellent start to the season. He lowered his ERA to 0.68 and now has 18 strikeouts across 13.1 innings. Wentz flopped as a starter last year but has reinvented himself as an effective long reliever. It's not the most fantasy-friendly role, but he could help with ratios, strikeouts and the occasional win in deeper formats.

Spence struck out five over 4.2 innings of relief in Sunday's 12-3 loss to the Marlins, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk.

Spence entered the game in the second inning after starter Joe Boyle was blasted for four runs in the opening frame before being pulled from the contest. Oakland placed Boyle on the 15-day injured list Monday with a back issue, so his absence will create an opening in the rotation. Given that he tossed a season-high 72 pitches in long relief Sunday, Spence should be reasonably stretched out for starting duty, though it's unclear if he'll rate as the Athletics' top option to take Boyle's next turn in the rotation, which comes up next weekend in Seattle.

The Athletics recalled Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Oakland placed right-handed starter Joe Boyle (back) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move, but Harris won't necessarily replace him in the rotation. Instead, the Athletics may just be bringing Harris aboard to provide some length out of the bullpen, even though the lefty has worked exclusively as a starter at Las Vegas this season. Over his six starts at Triple-A spanning 21 innings, Harris has provided a 9.00 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 21:20 K:BB.

The White Sox placed Leone on the 15-day injured list Monday with lower-back tightness.

Leone tweaked his back during an appearance Saturday in St. Louis and now will be on the shelf for at least the next couple weeks. The veteran reliever holds a 6.75 ERA and 14:11 K:BB over 14.2 relief innings with the White Sox this season.