MLB Player News

Yang allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over four innings in Friday's 10-4 loss to the Astros.

Yang was needed for bulk work after starter Wes Benjamin was yanked with two outs in the second inning. Yang had been considered as a fill-in starter for the injured Kohei Arihara (finger), but the Rangers opted to call up Benjamin for Friday's start. It's unclear if Yang will remain in the bullpen or move into the rotation for Arihara's next turn due Wednesday against the Yankees.

Heuer (3-1) earned the win in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. He allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning in a 3-1 win over the Royals.

Michael Kopech made a spot start in the nightcap but was pulled after four innings, gifting Heuer a chance for his third win. The right-handed setup man has not allowed a run in seven of his last nine outings, picking up two wins and three holds during that run.

Montero retired the only batter he faced to pick up a save Friday in a win over Cleveland.

Seattle entered the ninth inning staked to a six-run lead, but things got a little dicey after Cleveland scored a pair of runs and then put two additional runners on base. Montero was summoned to put out the fire, and he succeeded by inducing a groundout to first base. The save was Montero's first since May 2 as he appeared to have yielded the the primary closer role to Kendall Graveman. However, Graveman was called upon to pitch part of the sixth and all of the seventh inning Friday, so the situation may be a fluid one moving forward.

Melancon shut down a 5-4 win over St. Louis to pick up his 13th save Friday, allowing a home run with one strikeout in the process.

Melancon surrendered a two-out home run to Nolan Arenado that brought the Cardinals to within one run but was able to induce a Yadier Molina groundout to end the game. Melancon's league-leading 13 saves for a strong team shows he's one of the best relief options in the game.

Jansen pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to save Friday's 9-6 win against the Marlins.

Jansen retired all three Marlins he faced in securing an easy save for Los Angeles. He now has seven saves and a 1.65 ERA on the season and remains among the game's top closers. Jansen hasn't allowed an earned run in his last six appearances.

Barnes struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Angels.

He fired 10 of 11 pitches for strikes while remaining perfect on the season on save chances. Barnes has been nothing short of outstanding to begin the season, posting a 1.89 ERA and 33:3 K:BB through 19 innings.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 win over the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits over six-plus innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

He delivered his second straight quality start and third of the season, but Pivetta was denied his sixth win when Anthony Rendon led off the top of the seventh inning with a single to drive the right-hander from the game, and Matt Andriese subsequently let Rendon come around to score. Pivetta will take a 3.16 ERA and 42:22 K:BB through 42.2 innings into his next outing.

Bard worked around a walk to throw a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save against the Reds on Friday.

Eugenio Suarez's two-run homer in the eighth inning created a save situation for Bard and the right-hander got the job done on 12 pitches. He has shut the door four times for Colorado, but he also has three blown saves and owns a 6.59 ERA. Clearly, he's still the No. 1 closer option, but Bard should be considered on thin ice in the role.

Alexander (shoulder) won't be ready to return for 2-3 more weeks, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

Alexander went on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation in early May. His stay on the IL was originally expected to be brief, but the left-hander appears to have hit a roadblock in his recovery. in 11.2 innings this season, Alexander has allowed three earned runs while registering a 5:1 K:BB.

Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Tigers.

The veteran closer's renaissance continued as he fired 10 of 12 pitches for strikes. Kimbrel is 7-for-8 in save chances to begin the year, but more impressively he's posted a 0.60 ERA through 15 innings, along with a 24:7 K:BB, after failing to get his ERA below 5.00 in either of the prior two seasons.