MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Bolanos to their alternate training site Sunday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Bolanos started in his two appearances with the Royals, but he acted as more of an opener than a traditional starter in those outings, covering two innings or fewer in both appearances. With the Royals needing to clear a spot on the active roster for Jakob Junis (COVID-19) ahead of his scheduled start in Sunday's series finale, Bolanos was ultimately deemed expendable after he was lit up for five runs on five hits and two walks while recording only five outs in Saturday's 11-5 loss.

The Royals activated Junis from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the White Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Ronald Bolanos, who drew the start Saturday in a bullpen game for the Royals, was optioned to the club's alternate training site in a corresponding move. After testing positive for COVID-19 in July, Junis was shut down shortly before Opening Day and missed one turn through the rotation while he waited to clear all of MLB's coronavirus-related protocols. The right-hander should be an important innings eater for the Royals, but his fantasy value may be limited to AL-only or deeper mixed leagues due to his issues with the long ball. He allowed at least 30 home runs in each of the past two seasons and turned in a career-worst 5.24 ERA in 2019.

Brasier struck out two over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.

During a season in which there have been plenty of opportunities for Boston's relievers, this was just Brasier's second appearance. He gave up three runs on three hits over an inning in his first outing. It looks like Brasier, who served as an important setup man in 2018 and closed games in 2019, is no longer a trusted member of the bullpen.

Heuer allowed one run on three hits over 1.1 innings and picked up the save in Saturday's 11-5 win over the Royals.

Heuer got the final out of the eighth inning when the White Sox were up by three runs. The offense plated four runs in the top of the ninth to provide a big cushion, so closer Alex Colome was not needed. Manager Rick Renteria left Heuer in to close out the game and earn the first save of his career.

Pressly pitched two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's loss to the Angels but left after having trainers come to the mound to look at a cut on the cuticle above his thumbnail, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. However, manager Dusty Baker downplayed the issue after the game. "Fortunately for us, he was alright," Baker said. "We got him out of there because we didn't want him to throw too many pitches because that's his first outing."

Pressly's status takes on a greater urgency following Chris Devenski's trip to the IL and Roberto Osuna leaving Saturday's game with arm discomfort. There's a chance that Pressly could close immediately. Other options include Bryan Abreu and Cy Sneed in the short-term.

Hendriks struck out one batter in a perfect 10th inning against the Mariners on Saturday en route to his second save of the season.

Hendriks got Tim Lopes to pop out on a bunt attempt before he retired the next two batters in more traditional fashion. The closer carousel is in full swing in MLB and Hendriks did blow a save in his first appearance of the year, but he has bounced back with two straight successful conversions.

Robles was charged with the blown save after allowing three runs on four hits while recording one strikeout during the ninth inning of Saturday's extra-inning victory over the Astros.

Robles was given a 3-1 lead to start the ninth inning, but he gave up a solo homer to Josh Reddick and a two-run shot to George Springer to put the Angels in the hole. He avoided the loss since the Halos rallied for a run in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander didn't have major control issues as he issued 18 of his 24 pitches for strikes, but he clearly wasn't fooling Houston's lineup. Robles surrendered only six home runs over 71 appearances in 2019, but he's already allowed three home runs through four outings this season.

Bolanos (0-2) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox after allowing five runs on five hits over 1.2 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

The young right-hander didn't have much going for him Saturday, as he surrendered two home runs and delivered only 20 of his 41 pitches for strikes. Bolanos has covered 3.2 innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) and eight hits during his two starts this season.

Rogers struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to collect his third save of the season in a 3-0 win over Cleveland.

That's now three saves in four days for Rogers, who has yet to give up a baserunner on the season. After emerging as a dominant late-inning arm in 2018 and seizing the ninth-inning role for the Twins last year, the 29-year-old will look to establish himself as one of the game's premier closers in 2020.

Rodriguez had his contract selected by the Angels on Saturday.

The 24-year-old had a 2.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 19.2 innings with the Angels last season, but he was removed from the 40-man roster in December. Rodriguez should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.