MLB Player News

King picked up a save against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

King had a nice three-run cushion when he entered in the ninth inning. The left-hander gave up a two-out single but got Michael Busch on a lineout to end the game. King has notched a save on back-to-back days and is now 6-for-8 on save chances this season. He seems to be the Astros' current top ninth-inning option, but that will likely change when Josh Hader (biceps) returns to big-league action, which could happen by the end of May.

Teng (3-3) notched the victory over the Cubs on Saturday, allowing two hits and walking three batters while striking out six over six scoreless innings.

Teng tossed a season-high 89 pitches (56 strikes) while completing six frames for the first time as a major leaguer. The right-hander also recorded his second straight win and has now thrown 11 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and registering a 13:7 K:BB over his past two starts. Teng has moved into Houston's six-man rotation this month and has gradually increased his pitch count with the aim of remaining a starter long term. He's tentatively stated to next take the mound at home versus Milwaukee.

Strzelecki signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Strzelecki elected free agency Wednesday after being DFA'd by the Brewers, and he'll now receive an opportunity to carve out a role for himself in the Yankees organization. He will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, though his career 3.44 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in the majors make him a strong candidate for promotion at some point this season.

The Rangers transferred Baumler (ribs) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Baumler landed on the injured list in early April with a right intercostal strain. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment later in the month but has been shut down since April 28 due to a setback in his recovery. His move to the 60-day IL will keep him sidelined through June 4, though it's unclear how far away he is from returning. Blaine Crim was claimed off waivers from the Rockies in a corresponding move.

Crochet (shoulder) will face hitters Tuesday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

After checking out fine following a side session Saturday, Crochet is slated to throw a live batting practice session for the first time since landing on the injured list April 29. If Tuesday's workout goes well, the Red Sox could send Crochet out on a rehab assignment later in the week.

Hicks was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.

Hicks had given up five earned runs while walking four and striking out three over two innings in his last three appearances. The move is retroactive to May 21. Jordan Leasure was summoned from Triple-A to take Hicks' place in the bullpen.

Myers gave up a run on a hit and a walk in 1.1 innings Friday against the Marlins. He didn't strike out a batter.

The right-hander tossed 20 pitches (13 strikes) as the opener before exiting the mound. Myers could be headed for another turn in the rotation as an opener next Wednesday against the Reds -- rookie Jonah Tong fired three hitless, scoreless innings in relief Friday and appears ticketed for another turn as a bulk reliever or tandem option. Myers would be a likely candidate to begin that game for the Mets. On the season, the former Brewer has posted a 3.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Patrick pitched 1.1 perfect innings to collect the save in Friday's 5-1 win over the Dodgers. He did not record a strikeout.

Patrick entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning after Aaron Ashby had walked Freddie Freeman and plunked Max Muncy (wrist), putting the tying run on deck. Patrick induced a groundout from Teoscar Hernandez to get out of the jam and then retired the side in order in the ninth to capture his second save in his last three appearances. The 27-year-old righty's experience as a starter makes him more likely to operate as a long reliever, but he's seemingly winning the trust of manager Pat Murphy to work in high-leverage spots occasionally while Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill work through early-season struggles.

Manaea (0-1) took the loss Friday against the Marlins, allowing one run on four hits over 3.2 innings in bulk relief. He struck out three without walking a batter.

It was one of the better performances this season from Manaea, who fired 46 of 65 pitches for strikes after replacing Tobias Myers on the mound with one out in the second inning, but the veteran southpaw was on the hook for the loss as the Mets were downed 2-1. Manaea has a 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB over four appearances and nine innings in May, an improvement on his 6.97 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in April, but he seems set to remain in a long-relief role despite New York's rotation issues.

Tong is expected to pitch again Wednesday against the Reds, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The Mets haven't officially announced their rotation plans past this weekend, but Tong's performance in his season debut Friday appears to have earned him another appearance. The 22-year-old right-hander followed Tobias Myers and Sean Manaea onto the mound Friday and tossed three scoreless, hitless innings in an eventual 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Kodai Senga (back) also threw 63 pitches in a rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie on Friday, so using Tong as a bulk reliever or as part of a tandem with Manaea on Wednesday would keep that spot in the rotation lined up for Senga's likely return in June.