MLB Player News

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.

Brieske's contract was selected from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

It was reported Thursday that Brieske would be called up this weekend, and the Tigers made the move official Saturday. He will make his big-league debut the same night, as he has been announced as the starter for the second game of Detroit's twin bill against Colorado.

King earned a hold against Cleveland on Friday, completing three scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and struck out eight.

King dominated Guardians batters over his three frames, inducing 12 swinging strikes and fanning eight of the 10 batters he faced -- including the final seven. The right-hander has pitched at least two innings in all but one of his appearances this season and has registered two holds along with one save. King has posted a 0.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB across 10.2 innings on the campaign.