MLB Player News

Johnson was added to the Rays' 60-man player pool Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Johnson is a very intriguing pitching prospect, as he is very new to pitching but has already displayed mid-rotation upside. He displays four useable pitches and two or three of them could become plus offerings. As a converted position player, there may be even more untapped potential with Johnson in the coming years.

Puk (shoulder) could begin throwing again this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He was scheduled to see noted surgeon Dr. Neil ElAttrache again after getting shut down for the second time earlier this week. Puk is highly unlikely to be built up and ready to return to game action during the regular season, but Slusser notes the southpaw could potentially return for the postseason, although even that seems like a long shot.

Yacabonis fired a clean ninth inning in a loss to the Giants in his Mariners debut Wednesday.

The 28-year-old had his contract selected earlier in the day after spending the first three weeks of his tenure with the organization at the alternate training site in Tacoma. Yacabonis doesn't exactly arrive with an encouraging career arc in tow, as he's seen his ERA balloon from a 4.35 figure during his 2017 rookie season in Baltimore to 6.80 in 2019. He'll likely be deployed in low-leverage scenarios such as Wednesday's for what remains of the regular season.

Chapman pitched a perfect ninth inning against Toronto on Wednesday, striking out all three batters he faced in a non-save situation.

Chapman has struggled at times to shake the rust from a late start to the season, but he looked dominant on the mound Wednesday, needing 12 pitches to retire the Blue Jays on a trio of strikeouts. The veteran has converted only one of three save opportunities this season, but he has struck out 10 batters in six innings and has a firm hold on the closer job in New York.

Lopez was recalled from Chicago's alternate training site Thursday and could start Saturday's game against the Tigers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Dallas Keuchel (back spasms) was placed on the 10-day injured list and the thinking is that Lopez could make a start this weekend in order to push Chicago's better starters to the more important series next week against the Twins. Lopez has supposedly looked good at the alternate camp, but he has an 8.38 ERA in 9.2 innings this season and should not be trusted in mixed leagues, even in a good matchup against Detroit.

Harvey (0-1) allowed a solo home run and walked a batter Wednesday against the Mets as he took his first loss of the season.

Harvey entered in the eighth to try and preserve a tie with the hope the Orioles could regain the lead in the ninth. However, Pete Alonso had other plans as he crushed a home run to right-center on the first pitch he saw to give the Mets their first lead of the game. It was the first long ball Harvey has given up in five appearances since returning from the injured list. He should still be locked in for late-inning duties with the Orioles mostly evaluating for the future.

Lopez allowed five runs on six hits (two home runs) and a walk while striking out six across 4.2 innings against the Mets on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Through the first three innings, the only player on the Mets that was able to touch Lopez was Jeff McNeil, who had an RBI line-drive single to right in the second followed by a two-run shot to left in the fourth. The Mets were able to eventually chase Lopez out of the game in the fifth after he served up a solo home run to Michael Conforto and walked J.D. Davis the very next batter. The 27-year-old did have a season-high six strikeouts but his ERA rose to a 6.38 and with Alex Cobb (undisclosed) set to return in a few days, Wednesday's start may have been Lopez's last for the time being.

Lopez could return from the alternate site to start this weekend, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox are skipping Dallas Keuchel (back) this turn through the rotation and will need a fill-in starter for this weekend's series against the Tigers. Chicago manager Rick Renteria said Lopez is an option, indicating the "reports have been good." Lopez was sent to the alternate camp following his most recent start, Sept. 2, when he lasted just 1.2 innings. The right-hander's mission at the alternate camp is to work on rhythm and timing.

Pressly (1-2) allowed a run on a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Athletics. He also hit a batter.

Pressly entered the game with the score tied at two. His two outs came in the form of fielder's choices, but a walkoff single from Ramon Laureano left the Astros' closer with a loss. The 31-year-old Pressly has a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and eight saves in 17 appearances spanning 15.1 innings this season.

Hendriks (3-0) pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts and earned the win Wednesday versus the Astros.

Hendriks entered with the game tied at two, and he did his part to keep it that way. The Athletics then rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to make him a winner. The 31-year-old has a 1.40 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 29:3 K:BB and 11 saves in 12 chances this season as one of the more stable closers in baseball.