MLB Player News

May (2-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning.

Tasked with preserving a scoreless tie when he entered in the eighth inning, May worked himself into immediate trouble by issuing a leadoff walk to Seiya Suzuki and surrendering a double to Patrick Wisdom. A Cody Bellinger run-scoring single and Yan Gomes RBI groundout followed and were enough to chase May, who's now been charged with a loss in two of his last three appearances and has given up seven earned runs over the three innings covering his last five trips to the mound overall.

Fleming is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind Calvin Faucher in Friday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays have confirmed that Faucher will make a second straight start after he worked 2.2 innings as an opener in front of Fleming in last Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Topkin notes that the Rays plan to have Faucher cover around four innings Friday, and while Fleming should still be in good position to factor into any decision assuming that he's the first man out of the bullpen, the southpaw may end up serving as more of a piggyback option behind Faucher rather than a primary pitcher. The arrangement will likely lower Fleming's overall innings ceiling and could result in him transitioning into more of a full-time relief role if Faucher continues to build up his innings and pitches in his subsequent outings.

The Guardians optioned Pilkington to Triple-A Columbus following Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Cleveland summoned Pilkington from Triple-A to serve as its 27th man for the twin bill, but he wasn't needed out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old lefty should step back into the Columbus rotation, unless the Guardians elect to call him back up when the team next needs a fifth starter Monday versus the Rockies in Cleveland. The Guardians have an opening in the rotation after the struggling Hunter Gaddis was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Romano (rib) gave up a hit and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros.

After getting a scare Saturday when he took a comebacker off the ribs, Romano didn't seem hampered at all on the mound Tuesday, firing 14 of his 15 pitches for strikes and popping 98.3 mph with his fastball. The right-hander leads the majors in saves, two ahead of Felix Bautista, David Bednar and Emmanuel Clase, and Romano's 12:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings is equally elite.

Faucher is slated to start Friday's home contest against the White Sox and will likely be stretched out to around four innings, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Unless he's needed out of the bullpen in an emergency for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, Faucher will be making his second straight turn as a "starter." While opening in front of Josh Fleming in last Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays, Faucher covered 2.2 innings and struck out two while allowing one run on two hits and one walk. Faucher is in line to work as more of a piggyback starter than an opener Friday, but he's still unlikely to work deep enough in the contest to qualify for a win. Expect Fleming to once again cover the bulk of the innings once Faucher exits Friday.

Schreiber (1-0) got the win Tuesday against the Twins, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over an inning of work.

Schreiber entered to pitch the 10th and loaded the bases after two batters. He allowed a run to score on a sacrifice fly before a second crossed the plate on a groundout to the shortstop. He was bailed out with a win after the Red Sox scored three in the bottom of the inning to walk off with a win. Schreiber had put together five scoreless outings before Tuesday and now sits at a 2.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB over nine innings.

Wantz (1-0) earned the win over the Yankees on Tuesday, striking out two and walking one while allowing no hits over 1.2 innings of relief.

Wantz entered the game in the fourth with one out and the bases loaded and walked home a run before allowing a second to score on a sacrifice fly. Both runs were charged to starter Jose Suarez. Wantz then retired the next four batters he faced to put him in line for the win with the Angels up 5-2 after the fifth inning. The 27-year-old has made five appearances thus far and has yet to give up an earned run while sporting an 8:1 K:BB over 8.1 innings.

Lopez struck out three batters in 1.1 perfect innings to record his third save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Phillies during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

The right-hander wrapped up a combined one-hit shutout for the White Sox, topping out at 99.8 mph with his fastball on his final pitch as he struck out Trea Turner. Lopez stumbled out of the gate this season, but he appears to be finding his footing, fanning multiple batters in five of his last six appearances. With Liam Hendriks (illness) still lacking a target date for his return, Lopez will continue to hold down the fort in the ninth inning for Chicago.

Lopez threw a scoreless sixth inning with a strikeout Tuesday against the Red Sox. He's thrown 7.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks this season.

Lopez is having an outstanding start to the season, with the only negative being that Jhoan Duran looks like the primary closer. Lopez does have one save, but so far it looks like he'll be used to close games only when the latter is unavailable rather than more of a committee. Still, manager Rocco Baldelli has managed his bullpen without regard for the save statistic in the past.

Moran (0-1) blew a save chance in the 10th inning and took the loss Tuesday against the Red Sox. He allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Moran was called on to finish the game after Minnesota's top bullpen arms (Jorge Lopez, Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran) had been used earlier in a tie game. Moran has struggled this season by allowing six earned runs in seven innings (7.71 ERA). Although he has nine strikeouts, he also has five walks. Moran struggled with walks in the minors before improving his control last season (11% walk rate), so his slow start is a concern.