MLB Player News

Chapman's appeal of the three-game suspension he received earlier this month is expected to be heard Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Chapman received the three-game ban after throwing a pitch near the head of the Rays' Mike Brosseau in a Sept. 1 game. If Chapman's suspension isn't reduced at all and he's forced to sit out beginning with Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, fantasy managers may have a tough time justifying keeping him active during the Yankees' six-game week.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Sunday he expects Pearson (elbow) to throw a live batting practice session at some point this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The rookie right-hander will either accompany the Blue Jays on their road trip to New York to face hitters or stay behind at the team's alternate training site to move on to the next phase of his rehab. Montoyo has already indicated that the Blue Jays intend to bring Pearson back as a reliever, so he won't require as long of a period of time to get his arm conditioned for game action. Pearson has been sidelined since Aug. 18 with a strained right elbow.

Weems fired three perfect innings in relief during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rangers, recording five strikeouts.

As his line implies, Weems was thoroughly dominant, and he recorded his nine outs on an efficient 38 pitches. Performances the caliber of Saturday's are becoming par for the course for the 27-year-old, who's now posted four straight scoreless appearances (seven innings) after surrendering two earned runs to the Rockies in his season debut back on July 28.

Stiever's contract was purchased prior to his start Sunday against the Tigers.

A top-10 prospect in a shallow White Sox system, Stiever has a mid-90s fastball and could eventually develop into a mid-rotation starter. The 23-year-old righty logged a 2.15 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 71 innings at High-A last year, but he has never pitched above that level. That said, this is a pretty solid matchup for him, and he has the stuff to have success in any given start.

Staumont gave up two hits with zero strikeouts but did not allow a run in one inning Saturday against the Pirates en route to his eighth hold of the season.

Staumont has been a valuable setup man for the Royals, boasting a 1.80 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 20 innings, although his 14 walks and 1.40 WHIP still linger as negative aspects of his fantasy profile. Greg Holland has emerged as the team's top closing option.

Barlow gave up one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one in one inning Saturday against the Pirates.

He came in for the eighth inning with the Royals up four and created a save situation that Greg Holland converted in the ninth inning. Barlow is clearly in the setup mix in Kansas City, but Holland, who has three saves in the last four days, is the top closing option.

Hernandez gave up three earned runs on three hits and zero walks while striking out two in three innings Saturday against the Pirates.

All three hits were solo homers. The 23-year-old pitching prospect had a 1.42 ERA in 6.1 innings (two appearances) out of the bullpen this season, with this marking his first big-league start. He has good stuff, boasting a mid-90s fastball with good sink that can touch 99 mph, but Hernandez had never pitched above Low-A prior to this season, so we shouldn't worry about the results. He is getting opportunities due to his standing on the 40-man roster. Given his age, lack of high-level experience and status on the 40-man, Hernandez's development is being rushed a little. If it doesn't work out in the rotation, he has the stuff to get high-leverage outs in the bullpen.

Andriese earned the save against Colorado on Saturday, pitching a perfect inning and striking out one batter.

With usual closer Ty Buttrey having been deployed in the 10th inning, the Angels turned to Andriese to shut the door on the Rockies after jumping to a three-run lead. The right-hander was up to the task, needing only seven pitches to nail down the save. Andriese hasn't been all that effective for the Angels this season -- he has a 5.40 ERA over 10 outings -- so he'll likely resume his low-leverage role moving forward.

Barria gave up two earned runs over 5.1 innings against Colorado on Saturday, surrendering five hits and two walks while striking out two. He did not factor in the decision.

Barria was far from dominant in the start, but he kept the Angels in the game by limiting Colorado to all singles and only two runs. While the two strikeouts were his fewest this year, he set a season high by retiring 16 batters. Barria hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in five starts since joining the rotation, though he has yet to factor in a decision. He'll look to get into the win column at home against Texas on Friday.

Pressly picked up the save against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing two hits in a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.

Pressly received the opportunity to close out the game after Houston rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth inning. He gave up a single and a double but emerged unscathed thanks to a double play and a strikeout. The right-hander has proven to be a reliable closer after taking over for Roberto Osuna (elbow) in early August; since blowing his first save after assuming ninth-inning duties, Pressly has converted eight of 10 save chances while registering a 2.45 ERA and 20:4 K:BB over 14.2 innings.