MLB Player News

Kimbrel failed to strike out any batters in a perfect ninth inning during Sunday's 10-3 win over the Marlins.

Kimbrel has been inconsistent since the start of August, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 7.1 innings over eight appearances this month. Although he picked up his 21st save of the season Wednesday, he was utilized during Sunday's blowout win. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he won't exclusively utilize Kimbrel in save situations anymore since the team wants to focus on getting him regular work, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. However, Roberts has expressed a commitment to using Kimbrel as the team's primary closer, and he'll be available in a potential save situation Monday against the Brewers since Roberts feels comfortable using Kimbrel on back-to-back days.

Fairbanks earned the save Sunday, striking out one in a perfect inning in a 3-2 victory over Kansas City.

Fairbanks recorded a save for the second straight day against the Royals and is 4-for-4 in save chances on the season. The 28-year-old spent the first three-plus months on the injured list with a lat injury and, upon returning, allowed a homer on the first pitch he threw. He has not allowed another earned run since then, tossing 12.2 innings. In August, he's thrown 7.2 scoreless innings, allowed just three hits and a walk and struck out 11 batters. Tampa Bay's closer committee continues to be unpredictable, but Fairbanks is clearly in the mix to get chances.

Junis (hand) underwent scans that came back negative after leaving Sunday's game against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Junis was hit by a comebacker on his glove hand in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday, but initial test results are encouraging. The right-hander will undergo a CT scan Monday, but it's possible that he avoids a trip to the injured list if he ultimately isn't dealing with structural damage. If he's cleared to make his next start, he projects to start on the road against Minnesota on Sunday.

Astros general manager James Click said Sunday that Taylor has been removed from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land due to posterior elbow discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor was placed on the injured list in early June with left elbow inflammation, but he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 11. After his second appearance Tuesday for Sugar Land, Taylor's elbow was bothering him again, but Click suggested that the southpaw isn't dealing with a major setback. All tests on Taylor's elbow revealed nothing concerning, so the 27-year-old could be cleared to restart his rehab assignment after a few days of rest.

Rogers picked up the save in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Cubs. He allowed one hit and zero walks while striking out one over one scoreless inning.

Rogers pitched around a two-out double off the bat of Seiya Suzuki to record his 29th save of the season Sunday. This was the southpaw's fourth straight scoreless outing but his first save since joining the Brewers on Aug. 2. Devin Williams still figures to be the top dog for save opportunities with Josh Hader out of the picture despite blowing the save opportunity Saturday. Keep an eye on the closer situation in Milwaukee in case skipper Craig Counsell decides to turn to Rogers more often.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested Sunday that Treinen (shoulder) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list Sept. 2, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Though Treinen didn't make his third rehab appearance at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday like the Dodgers had planned, Roberts suggested it wasn't the result of any physical setback. Treinen will take the next two weeks to get ramped up in the minors before rejoining the big club for the final month of the season. The 34-year-old right-hander will likely settle into a setup role in front of closer Craig Kimbrel.

The Royals will call Heasley up from Triple-A Omaha to start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks in Kansas City.

He'll be moving back into the rotation as a replacement for Max Castillo, who was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday. Over his previous 13 starts with the big club this season, Heasley has produced a 5.61 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 46:29 K:BB in 61 innings.

Yarbrough allowed two unearned runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out five in 4.1 innings in a 3-2 win Sunday against Kansas City. He did not factor into the decision.

Yarbrough held the Royals scoreless through the first four innings, scattering two doubles and a hit batsman. After retiring the first batter in the fifth, a walk, an error and a single led to an unearned run and the end of his outing. Another unearned run later scored on a sacrifice fly. The lefty had been treading on thin ice for most of the season but has been much better of late, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 21.2 innings over his last five outings. His 28.7 percent strikeout rate in that span far exceeds his career rate of 19.4. His next appearance will likely be at the end of next week in Boston.

Junis was removed from Sunday's game against the Rockies in the bottom of the seventh inning after taking a line drive off his left hand, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Junis started Sunday's matchup and allowed three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings. Although he threw the ball to first base after being hit on his glove hand, he appeared to be in considerable pain and was immediately removed from the game. The severity of his injury isn't yet clear, so his status for his next turn through the rotation remains to be seen.

Effross experienced some shoulder stiffness following Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Effross was sharp during Saturday's outing, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out one in a scoreless inning. However, he didn't pitch during Sunday's series finale. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available Monday against the Mets.