MLB Player News

Yarbrough is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

As expected, Yarbrough will stick around in the Kansas City rotation after he returned from the 60-day injured list in impressive fashion in the Royals' final game before the All-Star break July 9. He worked six innings against the Guardians that day, striking out five while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk en route to claiming his second win of the season. Before missing two months after suffering multiple fractures to his head when he was struck by a line drive in a May 7 outing, Yarbrough had accrued a 6.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 6.2 K-BB% in 26.1 innings, so his overall body of work doesn't inspire much confidence for his fantasy outlook moving forward despite his strong showing versus the Guardians.

Coonrod (lat) began a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A St. Lucie, striking out one and giving up one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning.

The outing in the Florida State League was Coonrod's first appearance at any level in 2023, as he's been on the shelf all season while recovering from a right lat strain. Even though he won't require an extensive buildup program since the Mets likely won't deploy him as anything more than a one- or two-inning reliever, Coonrod could require close to the full 30-day rehab window to sharpen his command following the long layoff. Coonrod previously appeared in 12 games in the majors with Philadelphia last season, posting a 7.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 12.2 innings.

Thompson gave up two hits and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings to record his ninth hold of the season in Monday's win over the Cubs.

With Hunter Harvey (elbow) landing on the IL, Kyle Finnegan shifted back into the closer role for the Nationals, and it looks like Thompson will get the first chance to handle primary setup duties. The right-hander has a 1.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 14:8 K:BB through 15.2 innings since the beginning of June and has collected eight of his holds during that stretch, so he figures to continue seeing fairly high-leverage usage even after Harvey returns.

Ridings cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the Mets' 40-man roster. Ridings, 27, has made just 10 appearances in the minors this season after recovering from a lat strain, holding a 6.75 ERA.

Jimenez (shoulder) is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The right-hander is slated to be capped at 20 pitches in that initial outing, which will come three months to the day he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. Jimenez's ability to get through a 15-pitch live batting practice session without issues Saturday apparently gave the Athletics the confidence to have him return to game action, but the 29-year-old is likely set to spend at least a couple of weeks down on the farm given how long he's been sidelined.

Leclerc struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Leclerc and Aroldis Chapman teamed up for two perfect innings of relief while the Rangers plated a run in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Leclerc, who was removed from the closer's role earlier this season, has quietly put together a stretch of strong work out of the bullpen. The right-hander has a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and five walks over the last 14.1 innings. Control has always been the issue for Leclerc, but he hasn't walked a batter in his last five appearances.

Chapman (5-2) picked up the win over Tampa Bay on Monday. He struck out the side in the ninth inning.

Chapman was the pitcher of record when the Rangers walked off the Rays in the bottom of the inning. It was his first victory in a Texas uniform, and the left-hander remained unblemished for his new club. Chapman, who was recently named a co-closer with Will Smith, has not allowed a run or a walk while striking out 10 over six appearances since coming over from Kansas City.

Finnegan earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, allowing one hit and striking out three batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

With Hunter Harvey (elbow) moved to the injured list Monday, Finnegan was given the opportunity to move back into a closer role. He was called upon to put out a fire with two on and two out and the Nationals up two runs in the bottom of the eighth and retired Mike Tauchman on a lineout to center field, then struck out three straight batters following a leadoff walk in the ninth to finish off the Washington win. Harvey may be out for a while, so Finnegan should have an opportunity to reestablish himself as the team's primary closer for at least a few weeks. He's been up-and-down as a high-leverage reliever this season, recording a respectable 3.32 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 40:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings but blowing seven saves in 19 chances.

Hicks earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, allowing three hits over one scoreless inning.

Hicks was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and quickly surrendered a leadoff single. That was erased when Luis Arraez followed by grounding into a double play, but Hicks soon found himself in trouble again when each of the next two batters notched a hit off him. However, the righty reliever managed to recover and induced a groundout to close the contest. Hicks has yielded nine hits and two walks over his past 6.1 innings but has been able to record three saves in four chances while giving up just two earned runs across six appearances over that span.

Kelly (1-0) allowed two hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 1.2 innings to earn the win Monday versus the Pirates.

Xzavion Curry started but wasn't stretched out long enough to qualify for the win in an 11-0 blowout. Kelly's win was his first in the majors over six career appearances. He's tossed 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts with the Guardians this season, though he figures to remain in a low-leverage role for as long as he's in the majors.