MLB Player News

Jimenez, who allowed just two hits over his final seven appearances of July, appears set to close for Detroit after Shane Greene was traded to the Braves.

It's been a bit of a rocky year overall for Jimenez, but he leads the team by a wide margin with 15 holds and has long been thought of as the closer in waiting. Further, he worked the ninth inning in a non-save situation July 31 just hours after Greene was officially dealt. Buck Farmer and Trevor Rosenthal are names to keep in mind in case Jimenez hits another rough stretch.

Johnson (intestinal issue) was activated ahead of his start in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Manager Alex Cora says the team is hoping for 12-15 outs from Johnson, per Bill Koch of The Providence Journal, so he likely won't get a win. This is a spot start and he is out of minor-league options, so he will return to a bullpen role following this outing.

Leclerc gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Tigers.

While it's encouraging to see Leclerc get another chance to close -- he hadn't picked up a save since mid-April -- he isn't exactly seizing his opportunity, coughing up four runs with a 0:5 K:BB over his last two appearances, including a blown save Sunday against the A's. Shawn Kelley (biceps) doesn't have a timetable yet for his return, but the Rangers may be forced to give someone else a look in the ninth before he gets healthy if Leclerc can't turn things around.

Alexander (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings while striking out four as the Tigers were downed 5-4 by the Rangers.

A late rally nearly got the rookie lefty off the hook for the loss, but Detroit fell just short. Alexander threw 60 of 85 pitches for strikes, and he's pitching well enough to keep his spot in a Tigers rotation that lacks better options at the moment. He'll carry a 4.50 ERA and 18:2 K:BB through his first 22 big-league innings into his next start Wednesday, at home against the White Sox.

Peters didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-3 loss to Cleveland, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five over 7.2 innings of relief.

While entering the game after opener Taylor Cole didn't allow Peters to qualify for a quality start, the southpaw provided the bulk-relief equivalent, throwing 64 of 104 pitches for strikes to finish out the game and give the rest of the Angels' bullpen the night off. Peters will take a 3.20 ERA and 19:7 K:BB through 25.1 innings into his next outing Thursday in Boston.

Law picked up his first save of the season in Friday's win over the Orioles, walking two batters and striking out one in two scoreless frames. He got the nod because Justin Shafer got sick mid-game and was unavailable to pitch, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.CA reports.

Law has been used as an opener and a middle-innings reliever, and his 5.54 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 47:23 K:BB hardly scream out as him having a closer's skill set, but with Ken Giles (elbow) sidelined it's any port in a storm for the Jays in the ninth.

Shafer got sick mid-game Friday night and was unavailable to pitch, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.CA reports.

As a result, Derek Law pitched the last two innings to get the save against the Orioles. Shafer's hold on the closer job, such as it is while Ken Giles (elbow) is out, is pretty tenuous to begin with. As soon as Shafer's available again he'll be an option in the ninth, as will Law and Tim Mayza.

Borucki (elbow) will have his case reviewed by Dr. James Andrews as the Blue Jays attempt to determine the best plan for him going forward, Shi Davidi of Sporstnet.CA reports.

While there initially was some confusion whether Borucki would be directly visiting with Dr. Andrews or not, the overall outlook isn't promising. The southpaw already had a three-month absence to begin the season, and this latest sojourn to the IL also appears as though it will be comfortably longer than the 10-day minimum.

Puk (elbow) recorded three strikeouts and allowed an earned run on a solo home run over two innings for Triple-A Las Vegas against Oklahoma City on Friday.

Puk did allow the tying run in the ninth inning, but he was otherwise perfect while working up to 26 pitches. The promising left-hander may have logged his final rehab outing for the Aviators, and his next appearance could well come out of the Athletics bullpen.

Chapman picked up the save after striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against Boston.

Chapman entered the game in the top of the ninth with a two-run lead, and he promptly retired the side in order to secure a 4-2 victory. The 31-year-old flamethrower sits with a 2.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 60 punchouts through 42.2 innings this year.