MLB Player News

Pressly is likely the top candidate to close for the Astros after Roberto Osuna (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pressly went unused Sunday in the Astros' come-from-behind 6-5 win in 11 innings, but manager Dusty Baker may just have wanted to be conservative with the right-hander's usage after he made his season debut just one day earlier. The 31-year-old had been slowed since the start of summer camp with a blister on his right index finger and a sore elbow, and it's worth noting that he developed a cut above the thumbnail on his pitching hand in Saturday's outing. That shouldn't be an issue for Pressly when the Astros return to action Tuesday in Arizona, but he could still need some time to shake off the rust and reemerge as the late-inning ace he has been for Houston over the past two seasons. If Baker ends up going in a different direction at closer, Blake Taylor, Bryan Abreu and Cy Sneed are the next-best bets for saves.

Taylor picked up his first MLB win in relief while recording the final four outs in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Angels in 11 innings. He issued two walks and struck out two in the 21-pitch appearance.

The Astros entered Sunday's contest with six relief pitchers on the 10-day injured list and another on the restricted list, which has resulted in several unproven bullpen arms garnering use in high-leverage spots early on this season. None have been as impressive thus far as Taylor, who has opened his career with five scoreless appearances, striking out nine and allowing only four baserunners over that stretch. While Ryan Pressly looms as the most likely candidate to replace injured closer Roberto Osuna (elbow), the left-handed Taylor could very well be the next man up behind him, given the lack of other healthy, established options.

The White Sox transferred Lambert (forearm) to the 45-day injured list Monday.

Chicago will still have a full 40-man roster after Lambert's move to the 45-day IL, which suggests that Nomar Mazara (illness) had been on the COVID-19 IL before being activated Monday. The transaction means that Lambert won't be eligible to join the White Sox until at least September while he recovers from a forearm strain, an injury he picked up in summer camp while he was completing his rehab for his June 2019 Tommy John surgery.

King completed 3.2 innings against Boston on Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out four. He did not factor in the decision.

For the second time this season, King came in to log multiple relief innings following a short start by James Paxton. King was better Sunday than in his first outing, but both hits he allowed left the yard, temporarily staking Boston to a lead after each long ball. Paxton's spot in the rotation looks to be secure despite his early season struggles, but King would be among the candidates to step in if the former were to miss any turns.

Graveman is slated to undergo tests on his neck Monday after battling through stiffness and soreness during Sunday's outing against the Athletics, the Associated Press reports. "Hopefully we'll find out some more answers tomorrow," Graveman said Sunday. "It's something I've dealt with for quite some time now. It kind of flared up in the Houston game. Trying to figure it out. ... I've been told it can't get any worse than it is."

The right-hander worked through the discomfort to log 4.2 innings and throw 96 pitches against Oakland on Sunday, but as Graveman confirmed, the issue is one he's dealt with since his first start of the season. There's no indication yet that Graveman's next start is in jeopardy, but forthcoming test results should confirm whether or not there is anything that could result in an absence.

Swanson struck out two in a clean ninth inning in a loss to the Athletics on Sunday.

Just recalled from the Mariners' alternate training site earlier in the day, Swanson was put right to work by manager Scott Servais, and the right-hander needed just nine pitches to get through the trio of Austin Allen, Tony Kemp and Marcus Semien. Swanson was deployed as both a starter and reliever during his rookie 2019 campaign, finishing with a 5.74 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 27 appearances (eight starts). The 26-year-old will aim to do a better job of keeping the ball in the park -- something he never had trouble with during his minor-league career -- after surrendering a bloated 2.6 HR/9 across his 58 innings last season.

Barlow (1-1) allowed two runs on two hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the White Sox.

Barlow hadn't allowed a run over 4.2 innings during his first five relief appearances this season, but he was charged with his first loss of 2020 after allowing two runs Sunday. The right-hander may receive the occasional win this season, but he's unlikely to pitch in many high-leverage situations.

Junis allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the White Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.

Junis was relatively effective in his season debut after recovering from COVID-19, tossing 64 pitches while giving up just two runs. As the right-hander continues to pitch this season, his pitch count should keep building up. Junis posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 175.1 innings across 31 starts with the Royals last season. His next start should come at home Friday against the Twins.

Hernandez (2-0) allowed one walk and struck out four over two scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday against the Giants.

Hernandez was the pitcher of record when the Rangers pushed four runs across the plate in the eighth inning. The right-hander has fanned eight batters in five innings. He'll be part of the late-inning crew with closer Jose Leclerc (shoulder) on the 45-day injured list. That closer-by-committee will grow by one this week when the Rangers activate lefty Joely Rodriguez (lat).

Sulser fired two scoreless innings Sunday as he earned the save against the Rays. He allowed no hits and no walks while failing to record a strikeout.

The Orioles' closer situation was slightly murky to begin the season, but Sulser picked up his third save in four attempts Sunday, signaling that he has the trust of manager Brandon Hyde for the time being. The right-hander has struck out just four batters over six innings this year, but his current status as Baltimore's closer makes him a fantasy asset.