MLB Player News

King was mentioned by Yankees manager Aaron Boone as a potential rotation replacement for James Paxton (forearm), Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Paxton hit the 10-day injured list Friday and is expected to spend at least two weeks on the shelf, creating an opening in the team's rotation. While a decision has not yet been reached on who will fill Paxton's spot, Boone mentioned King, Nick Nelson and Jonathan Loaisiga as candidates Saturday. The Yankees may take their time making a choice since they will be able to essentially reset their rotation due to the cancellation of their weekend series against the Mets.

Lopez (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Lopez spent nearly four weeks on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. However, he'll make his second start of 2020 against the Cubs on Saturday. The right-hander threw two simulated innings in his final throwing session in his recovery process, and it's unclear how long he'll last in his return to the major-league club.

Lopez (shoulder) will come off the injured list Saturday and start against the Cubs, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Lopez has been sidelined since July 27 while dealing with right shoulder inflammation, but he'll make his return Saturday. The right-hander's first start of the season was cut short due to the injury, but he posted a 5.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 33 starts last year. Lopez's recovery has gone quite smoothly, although it's unclear how long he'll be able to last in his return to game action.

Hatch (1-1) picked up his first big-league win in Friday's extra-inning victory over the Rays, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

He entered the game with the score tied 4-4, then become the pitcher of record when the Jays surged ahead in the 10th. Hatch continues to impress, posting a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB through his first 12.2 major-league innings with a win and two holds in seven appearances. The 25-year-old should eventually transition back to the rotation at some point down the road, but for now is part of a dynamic young long-relief crew that includes Anthony Kay and Ryan Borucki.

Yarbrough allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings in Friday's loss to the Blue Jays. He didn't factor into the decision.

Yarbrough's last start was cut short due to rain, but he matched his longest start of the season Friday by going 6.1 innings. Unfortunately, the four runs he gave up in the second inning forced him to settle for his third straight no-decision. The southpaw was fairly effective outside of the second inning, but he now carries a 4.45 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 30.1 innings across six starts this year. He'll attempt to pick up his first win at home Wednesday against the Orioles.

Romano allowed one unearned run on two hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning as he picked up the save Friday against the Rays.

Romano has been a dominant bullpen arm for the Blue Jays to begin the season, and the team's extra-inning win Friday allowed him to pick up his first major-league save. Anthony Bass has been effective as the team's closer, but he was brought in for the eighth inning in this one, suggesting Romano could earn more save opportunities while Ken Giles (forearm) remains sidelined. The 27-year-old carries a 0.69 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB over 13 innings this season.

Fulmer allowed five runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four across three innings. He did not factor into the decision.

Most of Fulmer's struggles came in the second frame, when he quickly allowed the first two hitters on base via a hit batsman and a walk. Those two would come around to score along with a third before Fulmer was finally able to escape. His struggles carried over into the next inning, when he served up a two-run homer to Franmil Reyes to extend the Indians' lead to 5-0. Fulmer has yet to last more than three innings in any of his four outings and his spot in the rotation may not last much longer once the Tigers are able to return some guys from the injured list within the next few weeks.

Alcala gave up one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Royals. He struck out a career-high six.

Brought on with nobody out and runners on first and second after Jake Odorizzi (abdomen) was struck by an Alex Gordon line drive and had to leave the game, Alcala did allow an inherited runner to score on a bases-loaded walk before striking out Nicky Lopez and Hunter Dozier to snuff out the threat, and the rookie right-hander dominated after that, topping out at 99.4 mph with his fastball as he threw an efficient 41 pitches (26 strikes). Alcala has been a vital part of the Twins' bullpen since being added to the roster at the beginning of the month, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB in 12 innings over six appearances.

Hendriks locked down the save against the Angels on Friday after allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

With a two-run lead in the ninth, Hendriks worked around a leadoff single to Anthony Rendon to finish off the win for the A's. The 31-year-old now leads the majors with nine saves on the season to go with a sparkling 1.26 ERA and 0.77 WHIP across 14 appearances.

Littell was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation after Friday's loss to the Royals, Audra Martin of Fox Sports reports.

Littell felt something in his arm after throwing a pitch in the sixth inning and was forced out of the game afterward. It's unclear how much time the right-hander will miss as a result of the elbow issue, but manager Rocco Baldelli said after the game that he doesn't believe the injury is very serious, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.