MLB Player News

Barnes (0-1) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one in one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Yankees.

Barnes had a one-run lead to protect when he entered in the eighth inning, but a DJ LeMahieu RBI single and a two-run homer from Aaron Judge left the veteran reliever with a loss. Barnes has produced mixed results in four appearances this year -- two have been scoreless, and he's yielded four combined runs in the other two. The 30-year-old still serves in a setup role in the Red Sox bullpen despite the unsteady play.

Rodriguez (lat) tossed a live batting practice session Sunday and could be activated for Tuesday's series opener against Oakland, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez is traveling with the Rangers on the current road trip and could join the team immediately. The left-hander could be added to the committee of relievers that will pick up save chances with closer Jose Leclerc (shoulder) on the 45-day injured list. Before dropping him into high-leverage spots, the Rangers would probably want to give him a few soft appearances.

Phillips (1-0) tossed one scoreless inning Sunday as he earned the win against the Rays. He allowed no hits and no walks while striking out one.

Phillips had allowed runs in each of his first two appearances this season, but he held the Rays scoreless Sunday and was rewarded with the first win of his career. However, the 25-year-old doesn't carry much fantasy upside as a middle reliever who usually struggles to limit run production.

Norris (0-1) yielded two runs on four hits and two walks in 1.2 innings Sunday, taking the loss in the second game of the doubleheader against the Reds.

Norris showed obvious signs of rust in his first appearance of the 2020 season. He needed 54 pitches to record just five outs and allowed six baserunners in the process. He'll look for better results in a road start against the Pirates on Friday.

Beeks (0-1) allowed one run on two hits and no walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the Orioles.

After allowing four runs in long relief Monday, Beeks has now had solid outings in his past two appearances. However, he picked up the loss Sunday as he allowed the go-ahead run to begin the seventh inning. The southpaw now carries a 4.50 ERA and 15:2 K:BB over eight innings to begin the season.

Ottavino (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless 1.1 innings while striking out two, earning the win Sunday versus the Red Sox.

Ottavino was called on to get the final out of the seventh inning and then handled a leadoff Xander Bogaerts double in the eighth without trouble. The Yankees rallied to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, and Ottavino became the pitcher of record. The right-hander has pitched 3.2 scoreless innings to start 2020. Ottavino will likely continue to see late-inning usage even when regular closer Aroldis Chapman (illness) returns to action.

Jimenez (0-1) was charged with the loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Reds. He allowed one run on three hits with no walks or strikeouts in one inning.

After Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a Nick Castellanos error, Jimenez gave the lead right back the next half inning. He is 4-for-4 in save chances on the young season, but Jimenez is worth keeping a close eye on as his velocity is down a tick and the swing-and-miss has been noticeably absent (just two swinging strikes on 17 pitches Sunday).

Alexander struck out 10 over 3.2 no-hit innings of long relief Sunday in the Tigers' 4-3 loss to the Reds in the first game of a doubleheader. He didn't factor into the decision in the seven-inning contest and allowed two baserunners, one via a walk and the other via a hit by pitch.

After opening pitcher Rony Garcia covered the first two innings, Alexander took over and proceeded to turn in one of the most dominant performances by a relief pitcher in MLB history. He tied an American League record by recording nine consecutive outs via strikeout, and his 10 punchouts were the most by a reliever since Randy Johnson whiffed 16 as a member of the Diamondbacks in July 2001. Heading into the weekend, Alexander had been hopeful to get a look in the Detroit rotation, and he may get his wish after this dazzling outing.

Jimenez cleared waivers and was returned to the Blue Jays on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez was designated for assignment after making two appearances out of the Giants' bullpen to begin the season. He'll head back to the Blue Jays' organization, where he played prior to being selected in the Rule 5 draft during the offseason. The right-hander won't be added to the Toronto's 60-man roster for now, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Chapman (illness) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. "He's doing great. Everything's gone well with throwing back-to-back days," manager Aaron Boone said of Chapman.

Chapman was cleared to rejoin the Yankees on Friday, and he'll take the mound Monday for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 in the first half of July. The southpaw has been playing catch off flat ground since clearing the league's protocol, and Boone was encouraged with his progress. Until Chapman is able to return to game action, Zack Britton should continue to serve as the Yankees' closer.