MLB Player News

Brash didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 13-7 win against Kansas City, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Brash permitted one run in the first and kept Kansas City off the board despite traffic on the bases until the fifth inning, when the bullpen allowed two inherited runners to score once Brash was pulled. The 23-year-old rookie has a serviceable 4.20 ERA through three starts and 15 innings, but he's walked an MLB-leading 11 batters including 10 over his last two turns. He'll look to limit the free passes as he's tentatively set to face Miami on Friday for his next start.

Loup (0-1) was saddled with the loss in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Orioles on Saturday, allowing three unearned runs on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Loup relieved starter Noah Syndergaard in the sixth and worked out of a two-on two-out jam. Manager Joe Maddon opted to stick with the lefty for the seventh and an error led to three unearned runs crossing the plate and a loss. Despite the hiccup, Loup is yet to allow an earned run through seven innings while permitting just one hit and walk compared to five strikeouts.

Cimber allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against Houston.

Jordan Romano had pitched both Thursday and Friday, leaving him unavailable for Saturday's game. Cimber stepped into the ninth inning role in Romano's absence and maintained a one-run lead to earn his first save of the season. He surrendered a leadoff single, but struck out the next batter he faced before inducing a double play to end the game. Cimber has been excellent early on in the campaign, maintaining a 2.25 ERA with a 6:0 K:BB while also picking up three holds across eight innings. While he may pick up saves at random points in the season, Cimber is not a candidate for the closer role so long as Romano remains healthy.

Lopez saved Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Lopez struck out the first two batters he faced before surrendering a Mike Trout single but induced an Anthony Rendon groundout to end the game. The save was Lopez fourth of the season and third over his last three appearances. Since a loss against Milwaukee on April 13, the 29-year-old has thrown 6.2 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts, while registering one win and three saves.

The Tigers optioned Foley to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

Foley was moved off the 28-man active roster to clear a spot for shortstop Javier Baez (thumb), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over his five relief appearances with Detroit spanning 5.2 innings, Foley gave up two earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out zero.

Howard (finger) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list and serve as a bulk reliever behind opener Garrett Richards in Sunday's game against the Athletics, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Howard was tagged for six runs over three innings in his lone outing April 10 in Toronto before developing a cracked nail and blister on a finger on his throwing hand that resulted in a brief stint on the IL. The Rangers haven't said that Howard will permanently work behind an opener in his subsequent turns through the rotation, so having the right-hander follow Richards for Sunday's game may just allow the team to better manage the 25-year-old's workload in his return.

Brieske (0-1) suffered the loss against Colorado in Game 2 of a doubleheader Saturday, tossing five innings and allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Brieske didn't pitch terribly in his first big-league start, but a pair of Colorado homers accounted for three runs against him, which was enough to tag him with a loss. The right-hander yielded only one hit aside from the long balls but didn't miss many bats with only three punchouts. Brieske's opportunity to start was partly due to the Tigers playing a doubleheader, so it's unclear what his role will be moving forward.

Clase (0-2) allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one across 0.2 innings to blow the save and take the loss Saturday against the Yankees.

Clase entered the game with a one-run lead but immediately walked Josh Donaldson. After retiring the next two batters he faced, Clase allowed a double and single to lose the game. Clase has had a bumpy start to the season, as he's now allowed multiple earned runs in two of his six appearances. Despite the struggles, he should continue to see save chances for the Guardians.

Barlow is seen by manager Chris Woodward as the Rangers' closer, though he wasn't available in a save chance Saturday against Oakland after pitching Thursday and getting fully warmed up Friday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Woodward said in late March that he didn't want to put Barlow in the closer role right away. He didn't wind up putting anyone else in the role right away, as the team didn't record a save through its first 13 games. Matt Bush got the save opportunity Saturday, but it looks as though Barlow will be the most likely option to get the next chance.

Pressly (knee) will not be activated from the injured list Sunday, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pressly is eligible to be activated Sunday, but he is not ready to get back on the field just yet, and his absence will be extended until at least sometime next week.