MLB Player News

Fleming is expected to work in bulk relief behind opener Trevor Kelley in Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Despite working as a traditional starter in his last turn through the rotation May 17 and tossing five scoreless frames, Fleming will return to the bulk-relief role that he's typically filled over the past few weeks. Kelley is slated to open Monday's game and will presumably work 1-to-2 innings before giving way to Fleming, who should be the Rays pitcher most likely to qualify for a win. Even so, Fleming has yet to factor into a decision in any of his nine appearances on the campaign, despite working three or more innings on every occasion.

Kelley is scheduled to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kelley is operating as an opener for the second time this season, likely working an inning or two before giving way to Josh Fleming, who is expected to serve as the Rays' bulk reliever. In six innings with the big club this season, Kelley has allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters.

Pivetta allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over 2.1 relief innings in Sunday's 7-0 loss to San Diego.

Pivetta made his first relief appearance since being removed from the starting rotation last Wednesday. Speculation about Pivetta moving to the bullpen bubbled up for a couple of weeks, and the right-hander bristled when asked about the potential move, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. He's struck a more accepting tone after being told last week the move was official. "I just got moved to the bullpen so that's where I belong and that's where I am," Pivetta said. "I'm going to show up there for my teammates out there and go out and do my job." Pivetta has a 6.30 ERA as a starter, including an 8.10 mark in his last six starts.

Ginkel allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless two innings in Sunday's 8-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Ginkel closed out the game, pitching the eighth and ninth innings. It was the third consecutive multi-inning appearance for Ginkel, who enters games any time between the fifth and ninth innings. The right-hander, who was rocked by the Dodgers on April 1, has a 1.93 ERA over 18.2 innings since.

Stephan (2-2) took the loss and a blown save in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Mets, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning.

Stephan gave up a two-run home run to Starling Marte in the eighth inning just after the Guardians had rallied for a 4-3 lead. Stephan's scoreless streak came to a close at 4.2 innings with the sloppy outing. He's now at a 2.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 19.2 innings across 21 appearances. He's added two saves, six holds and three blown saves in a setup role.

Baumann (3-0) struck out one without allowing a hit or walk over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the extra-innings win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Baumann came in with one on and one out in the 10th inning, and he proceeded to pick off Whit Merrifield. After the Orioles rallied ahead again in the 11th, Baumann stayed in and finished off the win. He's kept runs off the board in five of his nine appearances in May, but he's also been tagged for multiple runs three times this month. The 27-year-old owns a 3.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB through 25 innings across 21 appearances this season, and he'll likely continue to see primarily low-leverage work.

Raley threw a perfect inning to earn a save over Cleveland during the second game of Sunday's doubleheader. He recorded a hold with a scoreless frame during the first game.

Raley needed just five pitches to quickly finish the 2-1 victory Sunday night. He's turned in four shutout frames with a 3:3 K:BB since returning from the injured list May 14. He lowered his ERA to 3.52 with a save and 10 holds across 15.1 innings this season.

Holmes picked up the save in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Reds, working around two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning.

The Reds loaded the bases against Holmes in the ninth, but the right-hander coaxed a groundout from Will Benson to grab his fifth save -- his first since April 12. Holmes hasn't allowed a run in his last nine outings (9.1 innings), lowering his ERA to 3.26 with a 1.45 WHIP and 25:8. K:BB through 19.1 innings this season. Holmes has certainly worked his way back into the ninth-inning picture with his recent performances. However, he'll likely continue splitting closing duties with Wandy Peralta and Michael King.

Walker (1-0) allowed three hits in a scoreless inning to pick up the win Sunday over the Marlins.

Walker pitched the sixth inning in his major-league debut, alternating between outs and singles. He stayed on to begin the seventh but was pulled after giving up a leadoff single. Walker pitched to a 0.89 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings across 15 appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Sacramento prior to his call-up Friday. He'll likely serve as a low-leverage reliever while he's with the Giants.

Doval allowed an unearned run on two hits and struck out one in one inning to earn a save in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Marlins.

Doval wasn't particularly sharp, but he had a three-run cushion when he entered the contest. He's allowed multiple baserunners in two of his last four outings, but he's still converted nine straight save attempts in an otherwise solid May. The closer has 12 saves overall, and he's pitched to a 2.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB through 21.2 innings this season.