MLB Player News

Sborz (1-1) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Thursday over the Rays, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Sborz allowed a couple batters to reach with two outs before striking out Manuel Margot. Sborz has been effective lately, firing 3.2 innings and allowing just one run. The 27-year-old's only bad outing came April 3 when he surrendered three runs while failing to record an out.

Clase recorded his third save of the season Thursday against the White Sox. He gave up one run on one hit while striking out one in an inning of work.

Clase started the season on a dominant note with three perfect outings, but he's now allowed baserunners in each of his last three appearances and given up runs in his last two. He's still 3-for-3 in save opportunities, but he seems to be trending in the wrong direction after a sizzling start to the campaign.

Zimmermann (1-1) gave up two runs on six hits and three walks while fanning two in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners. He was tagged with the loss.

Zimmermann started the season with back-to-back quality starts, but he was unable to continue that run here, leaving three outs shy of achieving that feat again. Zimmermann only allowed the Mariners to score via the long ball in this one, as both Dylan Moore and Mitch Haniger took him deep. That has been an issue for the 26-year-old left-hander so far, as he's given up four homers in 17 innings across three starts in 2021.

Manaea (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits while striking out seven over six innings to get the win Thursday over the Tigers.

The lefty was dealing Thursday, fanning seven en route to recording a quality start. The 29-year-old threw 58 of his 82 pitches for strikes, delivering a highly effective outing for the second consecutive start after struggling in his season debut back on April 4. He'll next draw the Twins on Tuesday.

Junis (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays.

The righty put together another strong performance, and it seems like he may have found something this season after struggling through his first four MLB campaigns. Across four appearances (two starts), Junis has a 15:3 K:BB to accompany a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. He's scheduled for his next start Tuesday against the Rays.

Kay (0-1) allowed four earned runs on six hits while striking out three over 3.1 innings of work in a loss to the Royals on Thursday.

The lefty drew this start on short notice, as the Blue Jays are dealing with a multitude of injuries to their rotation, but he didn't make much of a case to hold onto a spot. He's not currently scheduled for another start, though Toronto's uncertain rotation situation could mean he gets another shot next week against the Red Sox.

Barlow recorded the save in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays, tossing two innings and allowing two hits with one strikeout.

The closer situation remains one worth monitoring in Kansas City, as Barlow is now the fifth Royal to record a save in the young season. Despite a hiccup in his last outing, he's been sharp overall, having recorded 10 strikeouts with a 10:4 K:BB in 8.1 innings.

Scott (0-2) took the loss in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Mariners. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning.

Scott relieved starter Matt Harvey in the fifth inning and got Kyle Seager to ground out to end the frame. In the sixth, Scott allowed a two-out, two-run double to J.P. Crawford that gave the Mariners a 4-2 lead. That was the final score, leaving Scott with his second loss in three days. The southpaw has a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 5.1 innings this season. Despite the recent struggles, he'll likely continue to see high-leverage work in the near future.

Graveman threw a clean seventh inning while striking out one to earn the save in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Rafael Montero pitched the sixth inning in a setup role, with Graveman coming on to pitch in the final frame. He was effective in preserving the lead and didn't allow a baserunner. Graveman now has converted the team's last two successful saves -- the first coming after Montero blew an opportunity -- so it appears that he has at least a share of the closer role in Seattle.

Payamps was recalled by the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Payamps was called up in a corresponding move to Jordan Romano (elbow) landing on the injured list. He's already thrown four innings for the Blue Jays this season, allowing no earned runs while posting a 4:1 K:BB. The team will rely on Payamps in a bullpen now missing key players such as Tyler Chatwood (triceps), Julian Merryweather (oblique) and Romano, though he isn't likely to immediately earn a high-leverage role.