MLB Player News

Stanek (0-1) was charged with the loss Friday against the Mariners, surrendering one run on two walks while registering two outs.

Stanek took the loss despite not giving up a hit. He recorded the final two outs of the eighth inning with ease, but walked the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth inning before he was pulled. Ryan Pressly entered the game and allowed the winning run to score, leaving Stanek with the loss. The 29-year-old has only surrendered two runs and owns an 11.7 K/9.

Merryweather's oblique injury is believed to be a fairly long-term issue, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

Merryweather has been on the 10-day injured list since Wednesday due to a left oblique strain, and he's expected to miss considerable time as a result. A timetable for his return hasn't yet been established. Rafael Dolis could see save chances for the Blue Jays while Merryweather and Jordan Romano (elbow) are sidelined. However, Romano's injury is believed to be a short-term issue, so he could step in as the team's closer once he's cleared to return.

Romano's elbow injury is believed to be a short-term issue, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

Romano was placed on the 10-day injured list with right ulnar neuritis Thursday, but he isn't expected to spend much more than the minimum amount of time on the IL. Since Julian Merryweather (oblique) is believed to have more of a long-term injury, Romano could see save chances for the Blue Jays once he's back in action.

Hentges was recalled from Cleveland's alternate training site Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hentges will be in line to make his major-league debut at some point in the near future after outfielder Ben Gamel was sent down in a corresponding move. Although Hentges has solely worked as a starter in the minors recently, he could fill a long-relief role for the major-league club. In 26 starts with Double-A Akron in 2019, Hentges posted a 5.11 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 128.2 innings.

Lovelady has been called up to serve as the 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lovelady has made 26 relief appearances for the Royals in the past two seasons and posted a 7.71 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 21 innings during that time. He'll be available as bullpen depth Saturday but should return to the team's alternate camp following the doubleheader.

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Taylor's ankle is "severely sprained," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor rolled his ankle while fielding a bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday and had to be carted off the field. He underwent X-rays that came back negative, but he'll still likely spend time on the injured list as a result of his severe sprain. In his first seven relief appearances this season, Taylor has posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in 5.1 innings.

Pivetta will start Saturday against the White Sox, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta's scheduled start Friday was rained out, and he will take the mound for Saturday's late afternoon contest. The right-hander's won his first two starts, benefitting from pitching when the Red Sox's hitters broke out after being swept by the Orioles in the opening series of the season.

Valdez gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Rangers.

The journeyman continues to get the job done as closer for the O's. Valdez has two wins through six appearances in addition to his saves, and his 1.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP are backed up by a 7:1 K:BB through 7.1 innings. At some point the league might figure out his baffling changeup, but until that happens Valdez will handle a high-leverage role.

Lopez (1-2) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over five innings in a 5-2 victory over the Rangers. He struck out eight.

Both runs off the right-hander came on solo shots, but otherwise Lopez was sharp, throwing 49 of 75 pitches for strikes before exiting. Despite the strong outing and a 17:5 K:BB through 13.2 innings, he has a 8.56 ERA thanks to a 3.3 HR/9. With the O's having a couple off days coming up, it's not clear when Lopez will take the mound next.

Pressly allowed one hit to the lone batter faced in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners.

Houston's bullpen made a mess over the final third of the game, and manager Dusty Baker turned to Pressly to bail out the team in the ninth inning with none out and two on. He made a poor pitch to Ty France, who crushed an opposite-field double to plate the winning run in walkoff fashion. Pressly has allowed at least one hit in all five appearances but has not surrendered a run over five innings.