MLB Player News

Mengden allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the Angels.

The Royals' first four relievers Tuesday combined for just two innings, and Mengden was the last arm left in the bullpen. He successfully protected a two-run lead despite allowing a sacrifice fly to Shohei Ohtani in the 11th inning that brought the Angels within a run. This was just the second appearance of the season for Mengden, who has been used sparingly since joining the big club June 13 when Joel Payamps (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list. With Zack Greinke (elbow) soon to return from the 15-day injured list, Mengden and starter Kris Bubic are on the hot seat to keep their spots on the 26-man active roster.

Heasley allowed four runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five-plus innings Tuesday versus the Angels. He did not factor in the decision.

All four runs on Heasley's line came via the long ball -- he gave up a solo home run to Jared Walsh in the fourth inning and a three-run blast to Shohei Ohtani in the sixth before exiting. This was just the second time in eight outings Heasley's allowed multiple homers this year, and it was also the first game he's allowed more than three runs. He owns a 4.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 32:22 K:BB through 41.1 innings, and he'll carry a 1-3 record into his next start, projected for next week at home versus the Rangers.

Romano blew the save Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in the ninth inning of a 7-6 loss against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Romano entered the game with a two-run lead and allowed four consecutive batters to reach base safely with two outs. He is now 17-for-20 in save situations and Tuesday's was his first blown save since May 10. The 29-year-old has struggled with his command of late, walking six batters in his last 7.1 innings of work while striking out five.

Brieske (1-6) allowed four runs on six hits across five innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Red Sox. He had no walks and struck out four.

Fenway Park is a tough place to pitch for rookies, though Brieske looked OK through three innings with just one run allowed. Things were a bit more dicey in the fourth, when he allowed two singles followed by a three-run home run by Trevor Story. Despite the setback and the rough win-loss record, Brieske has still pitched decently overall with a 4.07 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 59.2 innings.

Chapman (Achilles) will report to Double-A Somerset this weekend for a rehab assignment, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The veteran left-hander was scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, and it was apparently the final hurdle before Chapman could be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment. Chapman should require only a couple games in the minors to get back up to speed, so he could rejoin the Yankees' active roster early next week.

Jimenez, who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Tuesday with a strained right shoulder, had an MRI come back clean, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander isn't dealing with any structural damage to his shoulder, though it remains unclear exactly how long he'll be sidelined. Manager Mark Kotsay plans to close out games in the near future based on matchups, with righty Zach Jackson and lefty A.J. Puk being the skipper's primary options.

Winder (shoulder) is scheduled to throw about 70 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old covered only three frames during his previous rehab outing last week, and he'll continue ramping up his workload Wednesday. If all goes well, Winder could be back with the big-league club next week for the doubleheader against the Guardians on June 28.

Snead was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Snead made the Opening Day roster but was sent down after posting an 8.74 ERA and 2.38 WHIP in 11.1 innings of relief. His 4.61 ERA across 13.2 frames for Las Vegas isn't particularly impressive, but it does at least come with a strong 20:3 K:BB.

Tapia was called up by Oakland on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Tapia spent a brief period on the active roster in late May and early June, giving up four runs on six hits in 1.1 innings of relief. He's back with the team to replace Sam Moll, who landed on the COVID-19 injured list.

Moll was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Athletics didn't announce whether Moll had tested positive for the virus himself, so it's unclear when he's expected back. Domingo Tapia was called up to take Moll's place in the bullpen.