MLB Player News

Kittredge will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher in front of bulk reliever Ryan Yarbrough in Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Kittredge has previously worked on an opener on two occasions, covering 1.2 innings April 18 against the Yankees and two innings May 5 against the Angels. He'll likely be in line for a similar workload Tuesday before giving way to Yarbrough.

Yarbrough will work as a primary pitcher behind opener Andrew Kittredge in Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Yarbrough will function as a bulk reliever for the fifth time this season, with his other 10 appearances coming in a traditional starting role. Entering the game out of the bullpen could result in Yarbrough's innings count being slightly lower, but it should increase his chances of factoring into any decision. In his prior four appearances as a bulk reliever, Yarbrough has allowed two runs on 12 hits and five walks while striking out 17 over 18 innings.

Soto pitched a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Angels.

Soto worked a clean seventh inning then gave way to Jose Cisnero, who pitched the eighth and ninth. Michael Fulmer secured the save in the bottom of the 10th. Fulmer seems to have the slight edge right now for save opportunities, but all three pitchers should remain in the mix. As the lone lefty of the group, Soto's usage will likely be the most dependent on matchups. He's been solid for the Tigers with a 2.51 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 28.2 innings this season.

Cisnero (1-4) pitched two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts to record the win Sunday against the Angels.

Cisnero was perfect in the eighth and ninth innings, then picked up his first win of the season when the Tigers scored twice in the top of the 10th. The righty seems to be behind Michael Fulmer in the closer pecking order, as Fulmer worked the bottom of the 10th for the save Sunday. Cisnero should retain a high-leverage role, however, and should still see some save opportunities moving forward, along with Fulmer and Gregory Soto. Cisnero has been solid with a 3.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39 strikeouts across 31 innings this season.

Morgan is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

The rookie right-hander will be making his second straight turn in the Cleveland rotation after permitting three runs on five hits while striking out five over 3.2 innings in a no-decision June 17 versus the Orioles. Morgan was capped at 67 pitches in that outing, but he should have a looser restriction with his workload Tuesday.

The Rangers are prepping King to potentially join the starting rotation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

King, who has been a starter in the minors, has served as a multi-inning reliever for the Rangers in 2021, including a three-inning, season-high 38-pitch effort against Minnesota on Saturday. "He's got multiple pitches. He's got good command. He can get through innings quickly because of his sinker. It made sense to us to see what that at least looks like going into the second half of the season and see what we've got," manager Chris Woodward said. The Rangers will likely push King's pitch count higher the next time out. It may make sense for Texas, losers in 19 of the last 22 games and 20 games below .500, to move on from veterans Mike Foltynewicz (5.59 ERA, 17 HR, 74 IP) and Jordan Lyles (5.68 ERA, 16 HR, 71.1 IP).

Clase recorded a perfect inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 2-1 win over Pittsburgh.

The hard-throwing right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to preserve a one-run lead in the eighth inning. Clase (11-for-12 in saves) has held a slight edge in closing duties compared to James Karinchak (8-for-9) this season, but both relievers have pitched well in high-leverage roles. Clase has a 0.91 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He's added three holds and a 3-2 record.

Swanson (groin) will throw a bullpen session Monday and is likely headed to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma shortly thereafter, the Associated Press reports.

The 27-year-old was projected for an extended absence when first placed on the injured list May 29, and although he's still expected to be on the shelf into July, he appears to be making steady progress. If all goes well with Sunday's session, Swanson could potentially embark on his rehab assignment before the coming week is out.

Montero (5-2), who secured the victory in an extra-inning win over the Rays on Sunday with a perfect 10th frame, has recorded wins in consecutive games.

Montero also worked the 10th in Saturday's 6-5 win over Tampa Bay and turned in a perfect frame in that instance as well. The right-hander's two wins over the weekend series were a welcome sight, considering Montero had allowed a combined five earned runs in two of his previous three appearances. Montero still sports a bloated 5.29 ERA on the season, but the veteran's victories help make up for the fact he hasn't secured a save since May 29.

Robles pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over Texas.

Robles picked up his first save since June 5 -- in his last six outings, he had three holds, two wins and a loss. He was called on for ninth-inning duties because Taylor Rogers had pitched on three of the last four days, though Robles also gets the initial save call sometimes as well as part of a timeshare. Robles is now 6-for-8 in save chances with 12 holds, a 2.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 34:19 K:BB across 32.2 innings this year.