MLB Player News

Yarbrough is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind opener Collin McHugh in Monday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After Yarbrough was pummeled for seven runs over two innings while working as a traditional starter his last time out Sept. 6 in Boston, manager Kevin Cash will see if the lefty can deliver better results while working out of the bullpen. Though he won't necessarily be the first pitcher out of the bullpen once McHugh exits, Yarbrough projects to cover the most innings of any Rays arm and is thus the most likely candidate to factor into any decision.

Trivino fired a scoreless ninth inning in a loss to the Rangers on Sunday, recording a strikeout.

Following a disastrous five-appearance stretch between Aug. 21 and Sept. 4 during which he yielded 13 earned runs on eight hits over 3.2 innings, Trivino bounced back to provide back-to-back scoreless one-inning, one-strikeout efforts during the weekend series against Texas. Manager Bob Melvin gave the embattled reliever six days between appearances after the last game of the former sample, and the time away from the mound may have helped reset the right-hander mentally. Despite the improved form versus the Rangers, high-leverage opportunities may be at a premium for Trivino during the remainder of the regular season.

Diekman, who fired a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed a walk and struck out the side in a loss to the Rangers on Sunday, hasn't allowed a run in nine of his last 10 appearances.

The veteran left-hander seems to be really hitting his stride down the stretch, and he's forged an impressive 13:4 K:BB across the nine innings covering the entirety of the aforementioned sample. Diekman did stumble against the Blue Jays four appearances ago by allowing three earned runs on three hits, but he's otherwise largely invoked memories of the career-best form he exhibited in 2020.

Bauman served up six runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two across three innings of relief in Sunday's 22-7 loss to the Blue Jays.

Baumann was one of the many Orioles pitchers victimized by the hot-hitting Toronto offense over the weekend, as the Blue Jays put up 44 runs during the three-game series. The 25-year-old righty is still regarded as one of Baltimore's most promising young arms, but he's unlikely to provide much fantasy value down the stretch as a multi-inning reliever for a 46-97 team.

Borucki was recalled by Toronto on Monday.

Borucki has thrown 19.1 innings at the big-league level this season, recording an unremarkable 5.12 ERA but an encouraging 1.14 WHIP. Trent Thornton was optioned to clear a spot for him in the bullpen.

The Blue Jays optioned Thornton to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Toronto will cycle Thornton out of its bullpen for a fresher arm in lefty Ryan Borucki, who was recalled from Buffalo in a corresponding move. Thornton was unlikely to be available to pitch for at least two days after he struck out four and gave up a run in two innings of relief in Sunday's 22-7 win over the Orioles.

Robertson was charged with a blown save in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Tigers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while recording a strikeout over one inning.

Entrusted with a 5-2 lead when he entered in the eighth inning, Robertson faltered immediately by allowing the first four batters he faced to reach safely, a stretch that culminated in Miguel Cabrera's two-run single. Robertson would go on to yield the tying run with the aid of a Brett Phillips throwing error, saddling the 36-year-old with his first blown save of the season. Having been robbed of most of the last two seasons by injury, Robertson's stint with the Rays had started promisingly enough prior to Sunday with three scoreless one-inning outings and an 8:2 K:BB in four trips to the mound.

Kittredge, who allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over two innings in an extra-innings loss to the Tigers on Sunday, has pitched to a 5.79 ERA over the 4.2 innings covering his last four appearances.

Kittredge has allowed an earned run in three of those outings, along with seven hits overall. That's a lot more contact than Kittredge, who still boasts an impressive 0.93 WHIP for the season, typically surrenders. However, given his overall body of work this season (8-3, 1.60 ERA, 9.7 K/9), the veteran right-hander is still slated to see plenty of high-leverage work for what remains of the regular season.

Alexy will serve as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind starter Spencer Howard in Monday's game against the Astros, independent baseball journalist Jeff Wilson reports.

Alexy fared well through his first two turns as a traditional starter with 11 scoreless innings and a pair of wins, but manager Chris Woodward will experiment with the rookie right-hander in a different role to kick off the Rangers' seven-game week. Even though he won't be starting, Alexy should be in strong position to factor into any decision as the Rangers' bulk reliever. Howard has worked between 2-to-3 innings in each of his four starts since joining Texas ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

The Twins recalled Barraclough from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of Monday's game against the Yankees.

He'll move up to the 28-man active roster as a replacement for outfielder/designated hitter Brent Rooker (personal), who was placed on the paternity list. Expect the veteran reliever to serve in a low-leverage role out of the Minnesota bullpen while he's with the big club.