MLB Player News

Chapman walked two and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Rays.

Chapman was called upon to maintain a one-run lead. He walked the first two batters he faced, but then retired three in a row to record his 12th save. Chapman is extremely secure in his role as closer and has also delivered excellent results as he's allowed only one earned run across 22 innings while striking out 42.

Thielbar left Wednesday's game against the Orioles in the seventh inning with a strained groin, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said the team will decide within a day whether they'll place Thielbar on the injured list. Regardless, the lefty will require some time off to recover from the injury, putting further strain on what's been an overworked bullpen of late amidst multiple injuries in the Twins' starting rotation.

Yang has been removed from the starting rotation and will be a reliever going forward, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The lefty's four starts this season have been short and mostly ineffective, and he holds a 5.20 ERA in seven total appearances. Yang will need to drastically improve upon his 1.46 K/BB % if he's to be a viable relief option. Kolby Allard, replacing Yang in the rotation, will start Saturday, likely making Friday a bullpen game for the Rangers.

Santiago, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, allowed three earned runs on three hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in a loss to the Athletics on Tuesday. He struck out two.

The veteran right-hander was called on for his Mariners debut after starter Marco Gonzales capped out at 50 pitches in his return from the injured list. Santiago needed a relatively efficient 48 pitches to record his eight outs, but he pitched to plenty of contact while allowing the Athletics to mount a successful comeback. Factoring in Santiago pitched to a bloated 6.68 ERA and 1.90 WHIP with the White Sox and Mets back in 2019 and was then deemed expendable by a team as talent-starved as the Tigers last summer, it's likely he's trusted with nothing more than multi-inning low-leverage scenarios during his time with the big-league club.

Kittredge (5-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on a home run and also issued two walks over 1.2 innings, taking the loss in an extra-innings defeat at the hands of the Yankees on Tuesday.

The right-hander went into the outing with a seven-appearance scoreless streak in tow, but that fell apart when he surrendered a game-winning two-run home run to Clint Frazier in the bottom of the 11th after a shaky 10th frame when he'd navigated around two walks. Kittredge still hasn't been charged with more than one earned run in 19 appearances this season, however, and he sports an impressive 1.38 and 0.92 WHIP across 26 innings.

Brasier (calf) threw Wednesday and will pitch a simulated game Friday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The righty continues to progress in his recovery from a left calf strain and appears close to beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester. After an inconsistent 2019, Brasier flashed signs of improvement last year and could earn a considerable role in the Red Sox bullpen upon returning.

Harvey (oblique) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list this weekend, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Although manager Brandon Hyde didn't specify which day Harvey will be activated, the right-hander is nearing his 2021 debut after he missed the start of the year due to a strained left oblique. In four appearances (one start) during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, he's posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 6.1 innings. Harvey could be in the mix for save chances once he rejoins the major-league bullpen.

Kowar was named the Triple-A East pitcher of the month Wednesday after he went 5-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings in his first five starts of the season.

The Royals already gave Daniel Lynch a look at the big-league level earlier this season, and Kowar is putting himself in position to be the next high-profile pitching prospect to earn a call-up. Kansas City currently has Ervin Santana filling in as its No. 5 starter while Danny Duffy (forearm) is on the shelf, but the 38-year-old isn't viewed as anything more than a temporarily option for a 27-26 Royals squad that was beginning to fade from the wild-card race prior to its ongoing three-game winning streak. Expect Kansas City to eventually make developing its younger options a greater priority as the season unfolds, making the 24-year-old Kowar an attractive pitcher to stash in deeper leagues.

Lowther will be recalled by the Orioles on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lowther was scheduled to start for Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll instead rejoin the Orioles to serve as a long-relief option. Since starter Matt Harvey is pitching on three days' rest in Wednesday's game against the Twins, he's not expected to work deep into the contest, which could pave the way for Lowther to serve as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen. In three starts since he was optioned to Triple-A, Lowther posted a 7.15 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 11.1 innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) showed increased velocity in a minor-league rehab appearance Monday and could return to the big club this weekend, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The outing with Triple-A Salt Lake was Rodriguez's second as he rehabs from a shoulder injury. Angels manager Joe Maddon indicated that the appearance went well while suggesting that Rodriguez is on the verge of a return. "His velocity was up, breaking ball felt very good and he felt upbeat and positive after he was done," Maddon said. "So we're looking to get him back relatively quick. He's on the verge of getting back up here."