MLB Player News

Richards walked two and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief during Sunday's loss to the Yankees.

The 30-year-old right-hander has come up big for the Blue Jays bullpen in the early going while Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) have been on the shelf. Richards has appeared in six of Toronto's first 10 games, posting a 0.00 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over 5.2 innings while giving up only two hits -- although he did allow an inherited runner to score on a wild pitch Sunday. He hasn't seen a lot of high-leverage usage and only has one hold so far, but Richards' ability to work longer outings and collect bulk strikeouts with solid ratios gives him some fantasy value in deep AL-only formats.

Jimenez struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings Sunday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Diamondbacks.

The right-hander entered the game in the sixth inning and needed only 21 pitches (16 strikes) to carve up the heart of Arizona's order. With Raisel Iglesias unavailable after pitching two straight days, it was Pierce Johnson and not Jimenez who got the save Sunday, and the latter hasn't pitched any later than the seventh inning through his first four appearances this season. Jimenez has been sharp in his role, posting a 2.08 ERA and 4:1 K:BB through 4.1 frames, but he appears to be no higher than fourth or fifth in the packing order in the Atlanta bullpen.

Banks will serve as an opener in Monday's game in Cleveland, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox have utilized just four traditional starters thus far and that will continue Monday with Banks receiving an opener assignment. Banks is unscored upon in two appearances this season.

Dubin (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Dubin stuck out a pair in a scoreless frame in his first outing with the Space Cowboys. The right-hander missed all of spring training due to injury, so he figures to require a handful of rehab appearances before being considered for a spot in Houston's bullpen or rotation.

Kranick (hamstring) began a rehab assignment with Low-A St. Lucie on Sunday.

Kranick wasn't able to get through his scheduled inning of work, getting pulled after recording two outs following two hits and a walk. How many more rehab appearances he requires figures to depend on whether the Mets plan to stretch him out as a starter. Kranick also has options remaining, so he's not a given to join the big club once activated.

Duarte was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Twins on Sunday, retroactive to April 4, with a right triceps strain.

Duarte has pitched well out of Minnesota's bullpen this season in yielding just one run over four innings, but he'll now be on the shelf for at last a couple weeks and potentially longer. Jose Miranda has taken his spot on the roster.

McArthur secured his second save of the season Sunday against the White Sox. He pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing a walk and a hit while striking out two.

McArthur gave the White Sox a glimpse of hope by allowing the them to bring the winning run to the plate, but he shut the door on the series by striking out Dominic Fletcher. McArthur converted both save chances over the weekend due in part to Will Smith's early struggles this season and should be in line to be the Royals' primary closer going forward while he's getting the job done.

Vieira earned his second career save Sunday in a win over the Mariners, allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out five over three innings.

Vieira was called upon to begin the seventh with the Brewers holding a comfortable 10-2 lead. He tossed 50 pitches and struck out five along the way to finish the game and earn a rare save in what was just his fourth major-league appearance since the start of last year.

Johnson picked up the save Sunday, giving up one hit and no walks with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning against Arizona.

Johnson handled ninth-inning duties Sunday with closer Raisel Iglesias resting after pitching on back-to-back days. He made good on the save chance, picking up his first save in 29 appearances with Atlanta spanning back to last season. Johnson should return to his usual setup role moving forward.

Hader allowed a run on one hit and a walk in one inning Sunday and earned a save over Texas.

After walking Adolis Garcia, Hader moved him up to second base with a wild pitch and eventually saw him score on a Justin Foscue single. Despite the struggles, Hader finished off the 3-1 win and earned his first save as an Astro. He's coughed up four runs over his last three innings, bumping his ERA up to 7.20 through five appearances.