MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Junis to their alternate training site Wednesday.

The demotion comes after Junis was called on to make a spot start Tuesday in place of Danny Duffy, who missed the Royals' flight to Detroit. He lasted 2.1 innings in the 6-0 loss to the Tigers, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk. Unless the Royals place a player on the injured list and bring Junis back in a corresponding move, his 2020 season could be over.

Richards is a strong candidate to be the 29th man and potentially start Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He is with the big-league team Wednesday and thus is a safe bet to be called up as the 29th man Thursday. The Rays are listing the Game 2 starter as TBD, so it could be Richards or he could follow an opener. He has a 5.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 28.2 innings this year and has not logged more than 4.2 innings in any of his eight outings.

Garcia (2-1) picked up the win in Tuesday's 20-6 rout of the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The Yankees were up 7-1 by the bottom of the second inning, giving Garcia plenty of cushion, but the 21-year-old didn't need any more help despite serving up two homers for the first time in his young career. He'll take a 3.28 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 24:4 K:BB through his first 24.2 big-league innings into his next outing Sunday in Boston.

Anderson struck out both the batters he faced to record his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

The Rays seemingly had a comfortable lead heading into the ninth inning, but after Ryan Sherriff loaded the bases with one out, Anderson got the call with the tying run on deck and stopped the Nats' rally dead in its tracks. The 30-year-old still has an unblemished ERA on the season that's accompanied by a 0.50 WHIP, 19:2 K:BB, a win and five holds in addition to his saves.

Yarbrough (1-3) recorded the win in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Nationals, allowing one run on five hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Entering the game after opener John Curtiss, Yarbrough kept Washington off the scoreboard until the sixth inning, at which point the Rays already had a 6-0 lead. The southpaw tossed 52 of 86 pitches for strikes while nudging his ERA back under 4.00. Yarbrough will look to continue a strong finish to the regular season in his next outing Sunday in Baltimore.

Curtiss walked one and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings during Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander was effective as Tampa's opener before giving way to Ryan Yarbrough. Curtiss has reeled off nine straight appearances without allowing an earned run, posting a 0.71 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB through 11.1 innings over that stretch with two wins and a save, but his inconsistent role in the Rays bullpen limits his fantasy utility to deeper formats.

Barnes allowed one hit and had one strikeout during a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Tuesday against the Marlins.

The right-hander delivered 13 of his 16 pitches for strikes and was able to preserve the shutout despite giving up a two-out double. Barnes has posted a 4.58 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 19.2 innings while converting seven of his 10 save chances.

Junis (0-2) pitched 2.1 innings Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk, as the Royals fell 6-0 to the Tigers. He struck out two.

Junis labored during his time on the mound (42 pitches) and watched his season ERA jump to 6.94. Junis had not given up more than two runs in any start this season prior to now struggling in his last two appearances (10 earned runs allowed). He is slated to draw the Cardinals early next week.

Fleming is expected to follow opener Pete Fairbanks in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Fleming surrendered seven runs, including four homers, in his past two outings, so manager Kevin Cash will mix things up and utilize him behind an opener. The left-hander had a 1.74 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB over his first two starts and will try to regain that form Wednesday.

Fairbanks will serve as the opener Wednesday against the Nationals, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old has allowed runs in two of his past three outings but will receive the starting nod in Wednesday's series finale. Fairbanks has a 3.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB through 21 innings for the season. Josh Fleming is expected to follow him as the primary pitcher.