MLB Player News

Yarbrough (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out five across 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Yankees.

Yarbrough held the Yankees scoreless through five innings but struggled in his final frame. He allowed three of the first four hitters he faced to reach base and exited with runners on first and third, and both of them came around to score. It was the longest start of Yarbrough's season and his fourth consecutive outing having allowed two or fewer earned runs. The southpaw has maintained a 3.98 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 20.1 frames on the season.

Szapucki was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Szapucki made his first major-league start Wednesday against the Giants and gave up nine runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two in 1.1 innings. It's not very surprising to see him sent down following his rough outing, but he'll likely be in the mix to serve as a spot starter later in the year since he has a 2.86 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 22 innings for Syracuse.

Hader earned the save against the Cardinals on Thursday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one.

Hader was reinstated from the family medical emergency list earlier in the day and was called into action in the ninth inning with the Brewers leading by one run. He got into trouble by allowing two of the first three batters he faced to reach base but was able to close out the contest and earn the save. Hader is tied for the MLB lead with 16 saves in 16 opportunities on the campaign and has yet to allow a run over 14.2 innings. He's also racked up a 22:6 K:BB and posted a 0.61 WHIP.

White didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 14-1 victory over Arizona, allowing two hits and two walks with two strikeouts in four scoreless innings.

Making his second straight start, White was provided an early lead and kept Arizona off the board despite multiple men on base in both the second and third innings. The 27-year-old tossed a season-high 61 pitches though only 33 went for strikes with just two of the swinging variety, though he's averaging nearly one strikeout per inning on the season. The successful outing dropped White's ERA from 6.17 to 4.60 and he'll aim for his first win as a starter during his next turn, tentatively slated for Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Staumont (2-1) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two to earn the win Thursday versus the Twins.

Staumont retired the side on 13 pitches (nine strikes) in the seventh inning, and the Royals rallied for the lead in the eighth. This was a solid bounce-back outing for Staumont, who took his first loss of the year in his last appearance May 22, which also came against the Twins. The right-hander now has a 4.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB with three saves, three blown saves and two holds in 17.2 innings. While Staumont pitched well, Scott Barlow was able to add a two-inning save Thursday -- both relievers are expected to continue sharing closing duties on a matchup basis as they have for much of the season.

Stephan (2-2) took the loss Thursday versus the Tigers. He allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one-third of an inning.

Stephan entered with the game tied at 3-3, but he allowed a double to Jonathan Schoop, who then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Miguel Cabrera added a walkoff single, handing Stephan his second loss in his last three outings. The right-hander now owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB across 18 innings in 18 appearances. He's given up five runs (four earned) in his last four outings.

Smeltzer did not factor in the decision against Kansas City on Thursday despite pitching seven scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six.

Smeltzer was dominant and efficient in his seven frames, throwing just 80 pitches and preventing any runners from reach second base. He was in line for the win upon his departure but had to settle for a no-decision after Tyler Duffey surrendered three eighth-inning runs to take the loss. This was Smeltzer's third start of the campaign, and he has allowed a combined two runs over 17.1 innings for a sparkling 1.04 ERA. He's currently up in place of Joe Ryan (COVID-19), but it wouldn't be surprising if Minnesota finds a way to keep him in the rotation based on how well he's pitched so far.

Barlow walked one during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-1 victory against the Athletics.

Barlow entered after the Rangers scored four in the top of the ninth to take the lead and surrendered a leadoff walk but induced a double play and pop-out to end the game. He appears healthy after a nine-game hiatus due to a blister and should see regular closer duties for the foreseeable future with a dominant 1.76 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.

Barlow earned the save against the Twins on Thursday, pitching two scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out two batters.

After the Royals took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, Minnesota responded by beginning the bottom of the frame with three straight singles. Barlow was brought in to minimize the damage, and he ended up keeping the Twins off the scoreboard entirely, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a groundout. The right-hander remained in the game for the ninth frame and allowed a pair of hits, but he again navigated around trouble to notch the save. This was Barlow's first save since May 15 and team-leading fifth on the campaign. Josh Staumont has three saves and may continue to cut into Barlow's ninth-inning opportunities, though the latter's 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP are superior.

Pilkington allowed three earned runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four Thursday against the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Pilkington has bounced between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus for much of the season, but he wasn't sharp Thursday. He struggled with his command and has now walked eight batters across 12 big-league innings. Pilkington avoided a truly disastrous outing only because he managed to keep the ball in the yard. Despite the discouraging effort, Pilkington could take another turn through the rotation while Aaron Civale (thigh) is sidelined, particularly because Cleveland has only one day off in the next two weeks.