MLB Player News

Akin is slated to start Friday's game against Cleveland, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Akin will be awarded a second turn through the Baltimore rotation after he limited the White Sox to one run over 4.2 innings in his first start of the season May 30. Over five outings in total with Baltimore, Akin maintains a 4.80 ERA, but a 3.59 FIP and 17.2 K-BB% suggest that he's pitched better than the ERA would imply.

Robles (1-2) allowed one unearned run on two walks while striking out one across one inning, taking the loss to the Royals on Thursday.

Robles entered the bottom of the seventh inning in a tie game and allowed a run to score to lose the game. However, the run was not charged against him as it was scored on a fielding error by Gilberto Celestino. Robles is a part of the closing committee for the Twins, as three relievers have multiple saves. The 30-year-old has a 3.28 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP with four saves and nine holds in 24.2 innings. He has had trouble with command with a 6.2 BB/9.

Junis (2-3) allowed one earned run on two hits across one inning to pick up the win over the Twins on Thursday.

Junis entered in the seventh inning with a one-run lead and surrendered the lead on a solo home run by Josh Donaldson. Ultimately, he got the win once the Royals retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh. The 28-year-old has struggled this season with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 34.2 innings. He has a 9.1 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9.

Taylor allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning in Thursday's 5-1 loss to Boston.

This was Taylor's first appearance since being activated from the injured list Monday. He had been on the IL since mid-April due to a sprained ankle. Houston's bullpen has had a few meltdowns within the last two weeks, so Taylor could emerge with a high-leverage or setup role if he can get outs consistently.

Hendriks did not allow a baserunner and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Thursday against the Tigers.

Hendriks was tasked with protecting a three-run lead and had no issue doing so to earn his 14th save of the season. Since a somewhat rocky start to the campaign, Hendriks has now turned in 15 consecutive scoreless appearances. Overall, he's maintained a 1.96 ERA with a 38:3 K:BB and is among the elite closers in the league.

Barlow pitched two hitless innings, allowing one walk and striking out a pair to secure the save in Thursday's win over the Twins.

Barlow earned the multi-inning save as he kept the one-run lead intact. This was an important outing for the 28-year-old, as the closing situation in Kansas City is becoming more fluid and Barlow could see increased opportunities to finish games. He primarily serves as the setup man and boasts a 1.86 ERA and a 13.3 K/9. He has clearly been the most consistent reliever in the Royals' bullpen and is deserving of a share of the team's save situations.

Yarbrough (3-3) allowed two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out six in nine innings to earn the win against the Yankees on Thursday.

Yarbrough earned his first win in nearly a month during Thursday's outing, and he also ended the Rays' five-year streak without a complete game. The southpaw gave up solo home runs in the third and seventh innings against New York, but he got plenty of run support from Tampa Bay's offense. Yarbrough has now posted a 3.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 66 innings across 12 appearances this year, and he tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Nationals on Wednesday.

Rodriguez (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Rodriguez displayed increased velocity during a minor-league rehab appearance Monday and will now return to the major-league bullpen after he missed nearly a month with right shoulder irritation. The right-hander made eight relief appearances prior to the absence and posted a 2.30 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 15.2 innings. Catcher Anthony Bemboom was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Graveman (COVID-19 protocols) is out of quarantine and has rejoined the team in Seattle, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Graveman hasn't pitched since May 16 while on the COVID-19 injured list, so he'll need to build his workload back up before he returns to major-league action. The righty could require simulated games or a rehab assignment before he's cleared to rejoin the Mariners' bullpen, but he appears to be trending in the right direction.

Bolanos was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Bolanos served as the 27th man during a doubleheader in mid-May, but he failed to make an appearance in the twin bill. He'll now return to the major-league club after he posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 16.1 innings during four starts with Triple-A Omaha this year. The right-hander will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever but could be available as a spot starter if needed.