MLB Player News

Crowe allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out three across two innings Wednesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Crowe served as the opener and worked two fairly effective innings before giving way to Mitch Keller. Crowe served up a solo home run to Ian Happ but struck out three of the final four batters he faced. While he started the season strong, Crowe has allowed seven earned runs across his last eight appearances spanning 9.2 innings, which has inflated his overall ERA to 2.74 across 23 frames.

Kinley (1-0) allowed one hit but struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Wednesday against the Giants.

Kinley allowed a two-out single but was in command throughout his appearance. He has been excellent to start the season, allowing only one earned run across his first 14.1 frames while tallying a 15:5 K:BB. Kinley also has seven holds and has been the team's primary setup man. Though Daniel Bard has generally pitched well in the closer role to begin the season, he had allowed at least one earned run in each of his last three appearances prior to logging the save Wednesday against the Giants. If Bard's struggles continue, Kinley could begin to see work in save situations.

Bard didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in the ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Giants.

Bard entered the game with a two-run lead and set down the Giants on only 11 pitches to tally his 10th save of the season. He was in need of a smooth outing, as he had allowed four earned runs across his last 2.1 innings while blowing a save and taking two losses. Despite the rough patch, Bard has largely been reliable this season, so he should continue to occupy the closer role. Overall, he maintains a 3.77 ERA, but that is paired with a strong 20:5 K:BB across 14.1 frames.

Bednar saved Wednesday's 3-2 win against the Cubs, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in two innings.

Bednar was brought in for the eighth to face the heart of Chicago's lineup and stayed in for the ninth, surrendering a Christopher Morel single with two out in the ninth for his only baserunner. The 27-year-old found the zone with 21 of his 28 pitches and induced an impressive tally of five swinging strikes while lowering his ERA to 0.90. Bednar has covered multiple innings in three of his six saves in May and appears to have earned manager Derek Shelton's full trust.

Holmes earned a save against the Orioles on Wednesday, tossing two scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and struck out one.

Aroldis Chapman has been shaky of late and had pitched three of the past four days, so the Yankees opted not to go to him with a one-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning. Instead, manager Aaron Boone stuck with Holmes, who had thrown just eight pitches in a scoreless eighth frame. The right-hander had no trouble closing out the contest, retiring the side in order. Despite his recent struggles, Chapman hasn't blown a save this season and isn't likely to be demoted from the closer role just yet, but Holmes would be among the top candidates to step in if that decision were to be made down the road.

Winder isn't expected to start against the Royals this weekend, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The right-hander surprisingly covered 3.2 frames as a long reliever Tuesday, and he won't be rejoining Minnesota's starting rotation this weekend, with Devin Smeltzer, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober (groin) expected to take the mound. Winder had a 1.61 ERA over his first five outings but has given up nine runs (eight earned) over seven frames in his last two appearances, and it appears he may now be ticketed for bullpen work.

Smeltzer is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Royals, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 26-year-old was called up for a spot start last Saturday and will receive another turn through the rotation after giving up one run on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Smeltzer and Josh Winder are in competition for the No. 6 spot in the rotation -- assuming the Twins continue to use six starters -- with Chris Paddack (elbow) out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday.

Jansen gave up a run on a hit and a walk in one inning of relief to blow his first save chance of the season in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Brewers.

The veteran closer entered the game in the ninth inning with Atlanta holding a 4-3 lead, but an RBI triple by Kolten Wong sent the game to extras. Jansen was tagged for a run for only the second time in his last 15 appearances, but fatigue may have been a factor -- he's pitched on two straight days and four of the last five, though Atlanta does have a scheduled off day Thursday. On the season, Jansen sports a 2.70 ERA and 22:4 K:BB through 16.2 innings.

Norris (Achilles) is feeling better and could be available for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Norris exited Tuesday's win over the Pirates due to right Achilles soreness after facing just one batter, but his injury doesn't appear to be a major concern. Even if he doesn't appear in Wednesday's series finale, he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Sims (back) has yet to resume a throwing program and won't return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible May 26, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims was placed on the injured list last week due to a bulging disc in his back and has remained shut down from throwing since landing on the shelf. The 28-year-old is now likely to be out until at least early June, and a specific return timeline is unlikely to come into focus until he's cleared to start a throwing program.