MLB Player News

Lakins (1-2) was tagged with the loss Sunday against the Athletics after giving up two runs on two hits and a walk across two-thirds of an inning. He didn't strike out anyone and gave up a home run.

Lakins entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out and the score tied 5-5. He retired Elvis Andrus on a groundout but then allowed a two-run shot to Ramon Laureano and walked Sean Murphy before eventually shutting the door against Matt Olson. Lakins hadn't allowed an earned run in any of his previous nine appearances, so he should remain an important part of Baltimore's bullpen.

Zimmermann didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Athletics. He gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while fanning four across 4.2 innings.

Zimmermann couldn't even get out of the fifth inning, though that has been the case in each of his last three starts. The left-hander has allowed at least three earned runs in all but one of his outings to date, and it's safe to say things haven't gone as well as he would've hoped to begin the year. He owns a 5.40 ERA across 30 innings of work so far and will look for a better performance in his upcoming start, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Red Sox.

Trivino recorded his fifth save of the season against Baltimore on Sunday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, though he allowed a hit and a walk.

Trivino entered the ninth with a two-run lead, and while his command wasn't entirely sharp -- he tossed only nine of his 18 pitches for strikes -- he still got the job done despite having runners on first and second with just one out at one point. The 29-year-old right-hander is now 5-for-5 in save opportunities this season and should remain as Oakland's ninth-inning guy moving forward.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Orioles. He allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out five across five innings.

Manaea ended his winning streak at three starts, and this outing was a step in the wrong direction given how good he'd been pitching of late. He had allowed a combined four earned runs over his previous 24 innings (four starts) before Sunday's appearance. The left-hander owns a strong 3.48 ERA, however, and he will try to return to his winning ways in his next scheduled start, tabbed for next week at home against the Rays.

Sborz (3-1) picked up the win Sunday against the Red Sox after tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Sborz entered the game in the eighth inning with Texas down 3-2 and delivered an impressive outing, tossing 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes while retiring J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers. The right-hander has not allowed a run in seven of his last nine appearances and owns an 11:4 K:BB through 11.2 innings this season.

Ottavino (2-2) gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and two walks across two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the Rangers. He was charged with the loss.

Ottavino entered this game on the heels of three straight scoreless outings but was unable to keep the streak alive in this one, as he showed the same command issues that plagued him earlier this season. The veteran right-hander now owns a 5.40 ERA after allowing more than one run for just the second time in 2021.

Chapman struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Tigers on Sunday.

Chapman tossed a perfect ninth inning against Detroit on Saturday, and he replicated his performance Sunday to earn his sixth save in his last seven appearances. The southpaw has posted a 0.50 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB in 10 scoreless innings across his first 10 appearances of the season.

Manager Mike Matheny said Sunday that Junis will shift back to the bullpen going forward, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Junis began the 2021 season by tossing seven scoreless innings across three appearances, but he posted a 4.96 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 16.1 innings across his last three appearances. The Royals will call up Daniel Lynch to make his major-league debut Monday, so Junis will serve as a reliever going forward. While Junis pitched well out of the bullpen to begin the season, he's unlikely to be in the mix for save chances.

Shaw pitched 1.1 perfect innings with a strikeout to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-0 win over the White Sox.

Shaw successfully protected Cleveland's 2-0 lead, and the offense added three more runs in the top of the seventh inning. The 33-year-old reliever has become an integral part of the bullpen this season. He has a tiny 0.79 ERA and 0.71 WHIP across 11.1 innings, and he's earned four holds in 11 outings.

Kay is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics in Oakland, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After being called up from the alternate site Sunday, Kay was available out of the bullpen for Toronto's series finale versus Atlanta, but he wasn't needed in the 7-2 victory. He'll now step into the rotation to eat innings as the Blue Jays' No. 5 starter, but Kay may just be keeping a seat warm for Nate Pearson (groin), who is in the process of ramping up for starting duties in the minor leagues after spending the first month of the season on the injured list.