MLB Player News

Yarbrough is with the Rays on Saturday in anticipation of being activated Sunday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Yarbrough was sent to the minors in late April after stumbling to an 8.10 ERA in 16.2 innings. A 42.6 percent strand rate has a lot to do with that number, however, as his strikeout rate of 19.7 percent was within a percentage point of where it sat last season and his 5.6 percent walk rate was quite strong.

Smeltzer threw seven scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his debut Friday for Triple-A Rochester.

Smeltzer was promoted from Double-A Pensacola after striking out 33 and giving up two earned runs in 30 innings. He's a bit old for his level at 23, but he had a 9.4 K/9 last year in two stops at Double-A, having come over to the Twins from the Dodgers in the Brian Dozier trade in July.

Balazovic has been promoted to High-A Fort Myers from Low-A Cedar Rapids. He had a 2.18 ERA (1.22 FIP) with a 14.7 K/9 in four starts.

It was a surprise to see him return to Low-A after he had a 3.94 ERA (2.64 FIP) with a 11.5 K/9 at that level last season. The 6-foot-4 righty has as much upside as any pitcher in the Twins' farm system other than Brusdar Graterol and seems primed for a breakout year.

Lopez (2-4) took the loss against the Red Sox on Friday, giving up six earned runs on eight hits over five innings, striking out six and walking three as the White Sox fell 6-1.

The 25-year-old had a dominant 14-strikeout effort his last time out, but he couldn't follow it up with another strong performance, as the Red Sox knocked him around for six earned before forcing him from the contest after 105 pitches. He had been on a nice run that had seen him throw six innings and give up two runs or less in each of his previous three starts while recording 27 strikeouts, but a handful of blowups leaves Lopez with some ugly ratios: He's posted a 6.69 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP over 36.1 innings.

Lopez (0-3) took the loss Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out six.

Lopez responded well after allowing three runs in the opening frame, surrendering just four baserunners (and one run) over the subsequent six frames. Unfortunately, Matthew Boyd was dialed in opposite Lopez, firing seven innings of two-run ball and sticking Lopez with his third loss of the season. The right-hander will carry a 5.09 ERA into his next start, which will come on the road against the Astros.

Giles struck out all three Rangers batters he faced in the 12th inning Friday en route to his eighth save of the season.

All three strikeouts came via swinging third strikes. Giles is among the top relievers in baseball in swinging-strike percentage, and he's now 8-for-9 in save chances. In his last seven appearances, Giles has allowed a total of five hits with zero walks and 12 strikeouts.

Thornton allowed one hit and two walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Rangers on Friday.

This was an impressive outing from Thornton, who sat down the first 12 batters he faced, in Arlington no less. He only got eight swinging strikes on 102 pitches, but with only one earned run allowed in his last 12 innings, Thornton has done a good job righting the ship after a disastrous three-start stretch (13 earned runs, 20 hits in 12.2 innings). He will look to build on this performance next week at home against the Twins.

Hand (1-1) struck out two and allowed one hit in one inning to earn his first victory of the season against the Mariners on Friday.

The Indians closer came on to pitch during a tied game in the ninth, and Cleveland then won in walkoff fashion during the bottom of the frame. Hand has a loss (1-1), but he is 9-for-9 in save opportunities with a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 14.2 innings this season. He's pitched eight straight scoreless innings.

Chapman earned his sixth save of the year, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout, in a 6-3 victory against the Twins on Friday.

The first batter Chapman faced singled, and because of a fielder's choice and wild pitch, he made it to third, but Chapman retired the next two batters without advancement. The 31-year-old closer hasn't seen many save opportunities early this year, but he is 6-for-7 in save chances with a 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. Chapman has yielded one run in his last 9.1 innings.

Stanek will serve as the opener Saturday against the Orioles, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Stanek has served as the opener in eight of his 13 appearances so far this season, posting a 2.31 ERA and 12:2 K:BB in those outings. He'll likely pitch one or two innings before giving way to Yonny Chirinos.