MLB Player News

Lopez walked one batter in a scoreless inning and picked up a save over the Yankees on Monday.

Lopez had blown his only two save chances this month but finally recorded his first save since April 23. He lowered his ERA to 1.29 with a 21:13 K:BB through 21 frames. Lopez has allowed one earned run over his last 18.2 innings but he's recorded just four saves during that stretch.

Chafin (0-1) allowed a run on two hits and a walk while retiring just one batter to take the loss Monday against the Twins.

Coming on in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 4-4, Chafin walked leadoff hitter Max Kepler. He then allowed a single to pinch-hitter Kyle Garlick that put runners on the corners, and an infield hit by Gio Urshela with one out gave the Twins a walkoff win. Chafin had gone four straight appearances without allowing a run, and the lefty still owns a tidy 2.89 ERA despite the hiccup, so he should remain a key relief option in Detroit.

Valdez cleared waivers Sunday and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Valdez was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday but will remain in the organization. He pitched in one game during his time with the big club, allowing one run in one inning of work. The veteran had been working as a starter in the minors prior to his call-up, compiling a 3.03 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across five starts covering 35.2 innings.

Merryweather was recalled by the Blue Jays on Monday.

Merryweather was optioned in early May after posting a 6.94 ERA in 11.2 innings, though his 12:1 K:BB and 2.41 FIP told a very different story about his performance. He'll probably handle lower-leverage innings for now, but if his results start to reflect his underlying numbers he could move into a more important role.

Giles (finger) will throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday, and her will begin a rehab assignment after that if all goes well, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Giles suffered an injury to the tendon in his right middle finger shortly before the start of the season, which delayed his return from Tommy John surgery. He's nearly ready to return to game action for the first time since September of 2020, assuming he is indeed cleared to embark on a rehab assignment. Given the length of his absence, Giles' rehab assignment likely won't be a short one, so it's still likely several weeks until he makes his Mariners debut.

Coulombe (hip) could return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Coulombe has been out with a left hip impingement, but it doesn't seem as though the injury is particularly serious. He made one rehab appearance Sunday and will make another Tuesday, at which point he'll hopefully be cleared to rejoin the active roster.

Loaisiga (1-2) took the loss against the White Sox in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out one.

Starters Luis Severino and Michael Kopech dueled through seven scoreless innings before Loaisiga was brought in to handle the eighth. The right-hander was unable to get out of the frame, allowing four singles that led to four runs. Loaisiga was outstanding out of the bullpen for the Yankees last season, but he has struggled in 2022, posting a 7.02 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 5.4 BB/9 over 16.2 innings.

Swanson (elbow) continued to throw over the last several days without any setbacks, leaving him on track to return from the injured list when first eligible Sunday, Craig Forde of MLB.com reports.

Manager Scott Servais continues to hear nothing but good things about Swanson's rehab process. The 28-year-old, who'd produced three holds, a 21:1 K:BB, a 1.29 ERA and an 0.79 WHIP through his first 13 appearances of the season, would naturally be a welcome reinforcement for a Mariners bullpen that's seen a couple of its members struggle with consistency.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Chapman underwent an MRI on his left Achilles' tendon, which returned negative for structural damage but revealed tendinitis, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Though the Yankees aren't yet deactivating Chapman ahead of Monday's series opener with the Orioles, Boone said a stint on the 10-day injured list is "still very much in play" for the fireballing reliever, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. With that in mind, enterprising fantasy managers may want to look to pick up Clay Holmes in leagues where he's available, as the 29-year-old already snagged saves in his last two appearances while Chapman had been faltering of late before sustaining the injury. Even if Chapman ends up avoiding the IL, the Yankees are expected to stay away from him for at least the next couple of days to give his Achilles time to heal.

Munoz (1-2) took the loss and was charged with a blown save in an extra-inning defeat at the hands of the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.

Charged with protecting a just-forged 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 10th inning, Munoz ran into immediate trouble by allowing the first four hitters he faced to reach base before eventually yielding a 419-foot, game-winning grand slam to Franchy Cordero. The hard-throwing right-hander's rough outing was his first serious stumble of 2022, as he'd given up five earned runs over 12.2 innings all season prior to Sunday.