MLB Player News

Thornton didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Nationals. He gave up two runs on three hits while fanning two across 2.1 innings.

Thornton worked as the opener and didn't stay enough in the game long enough to take part in the decision, but his final stat line didn't turn heads by any means. Toronto is still waiting on Nate Pearson (groin) and Ross Stripling (forearm) to return from the injured list, so Thornton might remain in the rotation for the short-term future.

Zimmermann (1-3) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Yankees after giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk while fanning three across 3.2 innings. He also allowed two home runs.

Zimmermann gave up homers to Aaron Judge and Kyle Higashioka and couldn't even finish the fourth inning -- the Orioles were losing 4-0 when he departed the game. The left-hander has lost his last three starts and has allowed three or more earned runs in four of his first outings this season. He will try to bounce back in his next start, scheduled for Sunday on the road against the Athletics.

Pressly earned the save against Seattle on Tuesday, pitching a perfect inning and striking out one.

Pressly came on in the ninth to protect a two-run lead and made quick work of the Mariners to notch his third save. The right-hander threw all 11 of his pitches for strikes and finished off the contest by whiffing Kyle Seager. Pressly has allowed only one earned run across 11 innings this season while registering a 13:2 K:BB.

Junis (1-1) took the loss Tuesday at Pittsburgh after allowing two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk across 6.1 innings.

The 28-year-old pitched more than five innings for the first time this season and posted a quality start, but he was tagged with the loss since the Royals mustered only one run and four hits. Junis has a 3.47 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 23.1 innings this season, and he lines up to face Cleveland on Monday.

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning to earn the save in Tuesday's win over the White Sox.

For the second straight appearance, Soto pitched a full inning without striking anyone out, but fantasy managers won't complain about his third save in as many opportunities. The lefty does have 11 strikeouts across 10.2 innings this season and he fanned 29 in 23 innings last year, so he'll likely start racking up the K's again in short order. Soto should also continue to see the bulk of the save opportunities in Detroit, though with the team sitting at 8-16, he might not get a ton of leads to protect.

Karinchak notched two strikeouts and didn't allow a baserunner over 1.1 innings to record the save during Tuesday's 7-4 win against Minnesota.

Emmanuel Clase pitched each of the past two days, so Karinchak was called upon for the four-out save Tuesday and delivered in short order against the Twins. Neither pitcher has surrendered an earned run through 21 combined innings this season, though Karinchak has been a bit more effective with only two hits allowed and a 20:2 K:BB. Both hurlers will continue to dominate the late-inning work for Cleveland, but Clase has the upper hand for early-season save opportunities.

Cleavinger was recalled from the alternate training site Tuesday.

The 27-year-old was optioned to the alternate site Monday but will quickly return to the majors. Cleavinger delivered a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout in his lone appearance this season.

White was placed on the injured list Tuesday for undisclosed reasons.

The reason for the move officially remains unclear, though manager Dave Roberts said earlier in the day the team might place some players on the injured list while they deal with side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. If that ends up being the case for White, he can be activated from the COVID-19 injured list as soon as he feels better.

Gonzalez was placed on the injured list Tuesday for undisclosed reasons.

Manager Dave Roberts said earlier in the day that the Dodgers could put some players on the injured list while they deal with side effects from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and that may be the reason behind the move. Gonzalez could be activated as soon as he feels better if he is indeed on the COVID-19 injured list, though the team didn't specify the reason for his absence.

Manager Dave Roberts said Kelly (shoulder) could be activated from the 10-day injured list during the upcoming 10-game road trip, which begins Thursday at Milwaukee, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

It was recently reported that the 32-year-old is expected to return in early or mid-May, and it appears he's on track for that timeline. Kelly is currently throwing at the alternate training site. Once activated, he could take on a significant role in the injury-depleted Dodgers bullpen.