MLB Player News

VerHagen is starting Friday's game at Minnesota, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen has delivered three straight outings with one or zero runs allowed while throwing at least five innings, so he'll receive the starting nod Friday. Despite his recent form, the 28-year-old isn't a desirable fantasy option given that the Twins rank third in the majors in runs scored and first in homers. It's not yet clear if this is a spot start or if VerHagen will receive a more extended opportunity in the rotation.

Gearrin was claimed off waivers by the Yankees on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gearrin opened for the Mariners on Wednesday and allowed one run in one inning and was waived following the outing, allowing the Yankees to scoop him up. The 33-year-old has a 3.92 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB over 41.1 innings this season.

Banda (elbow) was activated off the 60-day injured list Friday and optioned to Triple-A Durham, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Banda has been on a rehab assignment since late June as he returns from Tommy John surgery, and he'll remain with Durham now that he's healthy. The 26-year-old has a 5.57 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB over 21 innings at Triple-A and will likely return to the majors when rosters expand in September, although Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports that's still being evaluated. "I think there's a chance of it," Cash said of Banda soon making his first big league appearance since May 2018. "With all of these guys, it's really a mixed bag. One outing, it's encouraging. One outing, it's not coming out his best. But we really don't value that -- the results -- too much. We know that it's a long road back."

Lovelady was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Lovelady was in the midst of a brutal stretch, giving up runs in seven straight appearances (10 total earned runs in 5.1 innings). Eric Skoglund was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Law (0-2) took the loss Thursday against the Dodgers, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning to blow his first save of the season.

With Ken Giles on the paternity list, Law was back in the saddle as Toronto's closer but he couldn't get the job done, ruining a combined shutout bid and handing the Dodgers another walkoff win. The loss snapped the right-hander's 14-appearance scoreless streak, but on the year Law still has a 5.13 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 54:28 K:BB through 47.1 innings.

Richards will start Friday's game at Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richards was called up for his debut with the Rays on Sunday and will remain on turn in the starting rotation. The 26-year-old was limited to 71 pitches in that outing as he builds back up to a starting role, so he should have a slightly higher pitch ceiling Friday. Richards has a 4.53 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 109:52: K:BB over 115.1 innings this season.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 14th save in a 5-2 victory against the Orioles on Thursday.

After giving up three runs in a blown save Wednesday, the Rays couldn't have put their closer in a better situation Thursday. Pagan received another save chance to quickly get back on the horse, and he had a nice three-run lead in which to work. He responded with an uneventful ninth. Pagan has seven blown saves, but that's a little misleading, as not all of his opportunities have been conventional save chances. He owns 14 saves, a 2.30 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 54.2 innings this season.

Yarbrough allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with zero walks and five strikeouts across 4.1 innings during a no-decision against the Orioles on Thursday.

The 27-year-old gave up a pair of runs in the first inning, but that was it, as he shut the door over the next 3.1 frames. Unfortunately for him, he didn't last long enough to earn the victory, but he does own a 0.75 ERA with 28 strikeouts in his last 24 innings. Overall, Yarbrough, who will start next at the Astros on Wednesday, is 11-3 with a 3.29 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 109.1 innings this season.

Jurado (6-10) pitched an eight-inning complete game against the White Sox on Thursday but was charged with the loss after surrendering six runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two.

It was yet another rough outing for the right-hander, who has now allowed 41 runs (34 earned) over 40.2 innings in his eight starts since the All-Star break. On the bright side, Jurado tossed a career-high eight innings, doing so with 112 pitches. The 23-year-old now owns a 5.48 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the season and will look to bounce back Wednesday at Angel Stadium.

Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Thursday's game against Houston, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while fanning three over four frames in a relief appearance Wednesday, but he'll head right back to the minors. Matthew Boyd (paternity) is expected to rejoin the squad in Minnesota and start Sunday's series finale.