MLB Player News

Yarbrough will serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's series opener against the Angels in Anaheim, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Taylor Clarke is slated to open for the Royals and work an inning or two before giving way to Yarbrough, who has plenty of experience working as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen dating back to his time with the Rays. Yarbrough has been used as a traditional reliever up to this point during his first season in Kansas City, allowing nine runs with a 4:3 K:BB over nine innings. With Kris Bubic (elbow) recently landing on the injured list, Yarbrough could be in store for several appearances as a bulk reliever.

Clarke will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Friday's road game against the Angels, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Clarke will likely work an inning or two before giving way to Ryan Yarbrough, who is expected to work the bulk of the innings in relief while the Royals look to replace the injured Kris Bubic (elbow) in the rotation. It's the first opener assignment for Clarke, who holds a 6.75 ERA but a 12:3 K:BB over eight innings out of the bullpen this season.

Strahm (thumb) is listed as the Phillies' probable starter for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Strahm sliced his left thumb on the seam of the ball while throwing a warmup pitch prior to the third inning of his last start Saturday in Cincinnati, but after receiving some treatment from a trainer, he was able to stay in the game. However, Strahm labored through the third inning, needing 26 pitches to record two outs before manager Rob Thomson pulled him from the contest. The southpaw appears to be feeling better following his normal four days' rest, so Strahm isn't expected to be facing any restrictions when he returns to the mound Thursday for his fourth start of the season.

Reyes will move into the rotation for Triple-A Syracuse and get stretched back out as a starter, Abbey Mastracco of The New York Daily News reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander made five appearances out of the Mets' bullpen to begin the season, tossing 6.1 scoreless innings with a 7:2 K:BB, but as he had minor-league options remaining he was sent down Wednesday when Tommy Hunter came off the IL. New York's starting pitching depth is being severely tested in the early going, so Reyes could get a look in the big-league rotation once he gets stretched out if injuries and absences keep piling up for the Mets.

Headrick picked up the save Wednesday against Boston. He allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over three innings.

Headrick had a smooth debut after being called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. The former ninth-round draft pick will look to establish himself as a long reliever to start his major-league career, though he's not guaranteed to stick in the majors for long.

Hader recorded a save against Atlanta on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out one batter over one inning.

Offense was minimal in the contest, and Hader had just a 1-0 lead to work with when he entered in the ninth inning. The veteran closer walked Austin Riley to begin the frame but retired the next three batters to nail down his fifth save of the campaign. Hader has held the opponent scoreless in seven of his eight appearances thus far and has struck out at least one batter in each of his outings. That adds up to a 1.13 ERA and 14:4 K:BB over eight innings on the campaign.

Martinez (1-1) earned the win in a 1-0 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday, yielding three hits and two walks while striking out six batters over seven scoreless innings.

Martinez didn't allow any extra-base hits in the contest, and he appeared to get stronger as the game wore on, retiring 14 of the final 15 batters he faced. The Padres produced only one run in support of him, though that proved enough for the right-hander to pick up his first win of the campaign. Martinez struggled out of the gate by giving up eight earned runs over his first 11.2 innings of the season, but he's looked better since by notching consecutive quality starts during which he's allowed just three runs across 13 frames.

Ottavino earned the save Wednesday against the Dodgers. He gave up one run on one hit with one strikeout over one inning.

Ottavino secured his third save in as many opportunities, despite giving up a solo home run to David Peralta in the bottom of the ninth inning. The 37-year-old righty managed to retire Yonny Hernandez and Trayce Thompson before striking out James Outman to end the game and preserve a crucial win in the series finale with the Dodgers. Ottavino is expected to continue sharing closer duties with David Robertson, who also gave up a run while facing the top of the Dodgers' order during the eighth inning.

Clase gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Tigers. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander pounded the zone, throwing 19 of 22 pitches for strikes. Detroit hitters were able to eke out a couple singles and it took a sliding catch by Will Brennan on a Tyler Nevin bloop to right field to avoid disaster for the Guardians. Clase sports a 2.70 ERA through 10 innings and has gone 6-for-7 on save opportunities, but his 8:4 K:BB isn't yet up to the level he displayed the last two years while racking up 66 saves in 75 chances.

Rogers struck out one while recording the final two outs of the 11th inning to pick up his first save of the season in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The Giants took a 5-1 lead in the top of the 11th, but after Sean Hjelle allowed the phantom runner to score in the bottom of the frame, Rogers got the call to shut the door as closer Camilo Doval had worked earlier in the game. Rogers has had a shaky beginning to his tenure with San Francisco, getting scored upon in five of his eight appearances so far, and his ugly 13.50 ERA is matched by a 3:6 K:BB through 4.2 innings. Despite those numbers, the veteran southpaw will continue to get chances to regain his form and lock down a high-leverage role.