MLB Player News

Heller was optioned to the Yankees' alternate training site after Saturday's loss to the Nationals.

The right-hander made his season debut during Saturday's contest and allowed a solo home run during his inning of work. Heller figures to rejoin the 30-man roster as the team rotates its bullpen pieces throughout the season.

Jimenez worked around a walk to throw a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save against the Reds on Saturday.

The Tigers took the lead against Raisel Iglesias in the top of the ninth. Jimenez entered the game and did not turn in his prettiest outing; he threw five straight pitches out of the strike zone at one point and left a hanging pitch that Eugenio Suarez just missed on the final flyout. Still, Jimenez got the job done and is firmly entrenched in the closing role for Detroit.

Yarbrough pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on Saturday, yielding four hits and one walk while striking out one.

Yarbrough looked much like the effective pitcher he was from May to August of 2019, limiting Toronto to four harmless singles and issuing only one free pass. He registered just one strikeout, but that's par for the course for the soft-throwing southpaw. Yarbrough was pulled after 69 pitches, preventing him from earning a win or a quality start, so his performance could have been even better from a fantasy perspective. Still, it was refreshing to see the 28-year-old thrive after struggling down the stretch last season, and he should work his way to higher pitcher counts as 2020 progresses. Yarbrough will get a chance to build on his promising start to the campaign when he faces Atlanta on the road Thursday.

Chapman (illness) produced his first negative test result for COVID-19 on Saturday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

GM Brian Cashman said earlier in the week the veteran left-hander was mostly symptom-free but was still testing positive for coronavirus, so this could be a significant step toward his return. Chapman still must produce a second negative test before being cleared to rejoin the team, while Zack Britton is expected to fill in as the closer until that occurs.

Hatch will start Sunday's series finale at Tampa Bay, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 25-year-old was somewhat of a surprise inclusion on Toronto's Opening Day roster, and it's even more surprising he'll be receiving the starting nod in the third game of the season. Hatch has never pitched above Double-A and had a 2.80 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 34:2 K:BB over 35.1 innings (six starts) after being acquired from the Cubs last July. Nate Pearson -- one of the organization's top prospects -- began the season in the minors but is expected to round out the rotation next week, so Hatch is likely operating as a spot starter.

Gonsalves was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox on Saturday and optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 26-year-old lefty struggled to a 6.57 ERA and a 16:22 K:BB in his 24.2-inning debut for the Twins back in 2018 before missing most of last season due to elbow issues. The Mets claimed him off waivers over the winter but evidently didn't value him too highly. He'll likely be little more than organizational depth in Boston this season.

Covey was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Covey earned a spot with Boston's pitching staff to begin the regular season, but he'll be removed from the major-league club after a rough relief outing against the Orioles on Saturday. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two in Saturday's loss. Covey could return to the majors at some point this season, but he's struggled in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons.

Bolanos (ribs) will remain on the Royals' 30-man roster, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Bolanos was initially set to join the taxi squad after right-hander Brady Singer was activated Saturday, but the Royals chose to option catcher Meibrys Viloria instead. Although Bolanos will remain on the active roster, he's unlikely to be used in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen.

Fulmer was claimed by the Tigers Saturday.

Fulmer was designated for assignment by the White Sox Thursday and will now move to another AL Central club. It's unclear what his role will be for the Tigers, but with a career 6.56 ERA, he's unlikely to make a huge fantasy impact. A corresponding roster move will be announced by Detroit once Fulmer reports to the team.

Hendriks was charged with a blown save after allowing an earned run on two hits and two walks over one inning in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Friday. He also recorded two strikeouts.

Hendriks was called on as expected in the ninth with the Athletics trying to protect a 3-2 lead, but he allowed a game-tying home run to Jason Castro after getting Albert Pujols on an inning-opening groundout. Hendriks was far from smooth the rest of the frame, allowing a single and two walks, but he ultimately got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout of Shohei Ohtani. Hendriks and his fantasy managers will hope Friday's hiccup isn't a harbinger, considering the veteran closer blew seven of 32 save chances last season despite snagging his first career All-Star selection.