MLB Player News

Palumbo was recalled from Double-A Frisco prior to his start Saturday in Game 1 of the doubleheader against the A's.

This will be the big-league debut for the top pitching prospect in the Rangers' system. It will likely just be a one-start cup of coffee for Palumbo, who has never pitched at Triple-A. If he struggles, it shouldn't be alarming to those rostering Palumbo in dynasty leagues, but if he has success, that would boost his value in all formats. The 24-year-old southpaw has a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 65 strikeouts in 50.2 innings at Double-A.

Phillips was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

The 24-year-old righty gave up 10 runs while striking out 17 over 13 innings in the majors earlier this year. He will work as a low-leverage reliever.

Mejia was placed on the 7-day injured list with High-A Lynchburg due to an abdominal strain.

He missed time earlier this year with the exact same injury, so look for the Indians to be cautious this time around. Mejia is a legitimate prospect for dynasty leagues, but getting healthy and proving he can stay healthy over the rest of the season will be paramount.

Jimenez (2-4) allowed two runs on three hits in an inning of work to take the loss Friday against the Twins. He struck out one.

Coming on in the eighth inning of a 3-3 game, Jimenez allowed a solo home run to Nelson Cruz, then gave up a run-scoring single to Marwin Gonzalez. It's mostly been a struggle this season for the 24-year-old righty, who has a 5.33 ERA through 25.1 innings. Home runs have plagued Jimenez, as he's allowed six already after allowing only five in 62.2 innings last year.

Leclerc (1-2) was credited with the loss when he allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over one inning against the Athletics on Friday.

Leclerc entered a tie game to start the ninth and gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Marcus Semien. The other hit allowed was when Jurickson Profar, batting left-handed, bounced a grounder off the end of the bat that stayed fair up the third-base line, which Profar turned into a double against the Rangers' shift. Leclerc has pitched brilliantly over the past month, so manager Chris Woodward was not phased by the runs. "Pitchers are gonna give up homers," Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. "I'm not worried about that at all. I felt like his command was good. He's throwing strikes, and like I said, the cue ball down the third-base line. It's ridiculous to even be concerned about that. The homer? He challenged a guy, and the guy hit it. Semien's a good hitter. I know he's hurt us in the past, but it's not that easy to hit 98 [mph] middle-away, but he hit it." Shawn Kelley remains the Rangers' closer, but Leclerc appears to be getting closer to the point when Woodward will use him in a save situation.

McHugh (elbow) feels he could begin a rehab assignment next weekend, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh is feeling confident after throwing earlier this week, but manager AJ Hinch slowed his roll. The manager characterized McHugh's throwing sessions as pitching with less-than-full effort off a slope, not a mound. "He hasn't been off the mound yet," Hinch said Friday. "He's going to get off the mound today. He's not close to a rehab assignment right now." Hinch will play it slow with McHugh, particularly after other injured players, Jose Altuve (hamstring) and George Springer (hamstring), reinjured themselves after they said they were ready to play.

Hand struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 19th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Yankees.

The southpaw continues his reign as the most dominant closer in the American League. Hand is a perfect 19-for-19 in save chances, tying him with Detroit's Shane Greene for the AL saves lead, and he hasn't been scored upon in 10 straight appearances, ringing up a 15:2 K:BB over 10 innings in that stretch.

Boxberger (1-3) picked up the win Friday against the White Sox after allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout through one inning.

Called upon in the seventh inning to reliever starter Homer Bailey with one on and no outs, Boxberger allowed Bailey's runner to score on a fielder's choice, then lost Kansas City's lead by giving up an RBI double to Yoan Moncada. Luckily, the Royals came back in the eighth to provide Boxberger enough run support for the win. The 31-year-old has served primarily in middle relief for the Royals this season and owns a 5.25 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 25:16 K:BB through 25 appearances.

Treinen walked two and allowed a hit in a scoreless inning Friday night against the Rangers to secure the save.

Treinen retired the first batter of the inning, but he would then allow a base knock and a pair of walks before inducing a double play to end the ballgame. The right-hander has now put together three straight scoreless outings, dropping his ERA to 3.16 with 31 strikeouts over 31.1 innings this season.

Pruitt has been called up from Triple-A Durham as the 26th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pruitt figures to serve as bullpen depth for the Rays before going right back down to the minors. He's given up six runs and struck out four over 7.1 innings this season in the major leagues.