MLB Player News

The Yankees recalled Harvey from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Harvey will get his first call to the big leagues after turning two scoreless appearances at Triple-A to build on his outstanding performance in the International League a season ago (1.66 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 61:21 K:BB in 54.1 innings). Though the right-hander no longer has much to prove in the minors, his stay with the Yankees will most likely be brief. He'll assume the active roster spot of Jonathan Loaisiga and will be a prime candidate for a demotion when the Yankees bring back CC Sabathia (knee/chest) from the 10-day injury list this weekend ahead of the lefty's scheduled start against the White Sox.

Leclerc gave up three runs on three hits -- including a walk-off home run -- while recording only one out in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

The right-hander blew his first save of the year when Jarrod Dyson came off the bench and took him deep. Leclerc hadn't given up a run in four appearances prior to Tuesday, but he hasn't yet shown the same dominance he did in 2018 when he seized the Rangers' closing job, posting only a 3:1 K:BB through 4.1 innings so far.

Swanson, who was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, is a candidate to serve in a long-relief role when the Mariners limit one of Yusei Kikuchi's starts near the end of April to a single inning, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Manager Scott Servais delivered the news Tuesday while addressing Swanson's ascension to the big-league club earlier in the day. Kikuchi is projected to log multiple abbreviated starts -- about once per month on average -- as the Mariners look to manage his workload in his first season stateside. Swanson has the experience to handle the multi-inning workload if called upon, having recorded 45 starts over the last two-plus seasons at the minor-league level, including one in 2019.

Junis (1-1) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six across four innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Mariners.

Junis allowed the Mariners to score at least one run in three of his four innings, and turned in his worst start of the season as a result. He wasn't deceptive on the mound, generating only three swinging strikes and requiring 94 pitches to record his 12 outs. He'll look to rebound Sunday against Cleveland.

Loaisiga was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Tuesday's loss to the Astros, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports. He allowed two runs on four hits over three innings with five strikeouts and one walk, but did not factor in the decision.

The Yankees will opt for a fresh arm after Loaisiga needed 71 pitches to get through three frames Tuesday. The 24-year-old made two starts after being recalled last week, giving up three runs on five hits across seven innings.

Giles permitted a hit and a walk while striking out one over one inning to notch his third save of the season in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Red Sox.

It was the third save in as many chances for the right-hander, who has not yet given up a run in six appearances. This outing was not without drama, however, as the first two batters reached before Giles wriggled out of trouble, then he struck out Mookie Betts to end the game. Giles has a 0.00 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and nine strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Swanson was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma prior to Tuesday's game against the Royals, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Felix Hernandez (illness) only logged one inning in Monday's start, so the Mariners are bringing up Swanson to add some length to a depleted bullpen. He could be used as a starter in the majors at some point this season, and will likely be sent back to Triple-A to continue developing as a starter after he has served his purpose as short-term relief help.

Hill was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals added reinforcements to the pitching staff by promoting Heath Fillmyer and Richard Lovelady from Triple-A, so Hill was one of the players sent down in a corresponding move. He could return the next time the Royals need some fresh arms.

Lovelady's contract was selected from Triple-A Omaha.

Lovelady is a legitimate relief-pitching prospect, boasting a plus mid-90s fastball from the left side and plus slider. The Royals' bullpen is mostly made up of bad relievers and failed starters turned middling relievers, so Lovelady has as good a chance of eventually finishing the year as the team's closer as anyone. It is unclear if he will begin his big-league career in a low-leverage role or if they will deploy him in high-leverage situations right away.

The Royals are expected to call up Lovelady from Triple-A Omaha prior to Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Craig Mish of Sirius XM reports.

Lovelady doesn't possess a spot on the 40-man roster, so his promotion won't be official until the Royals make a corresponding transaction. Once he's up with the big club, Lovelady may not have to wait long before finding a meaningful role in a Kansas City bullpen that ranks 29th in the majors in WAR (-1.1) this season. While his left-handedness hurts his chances of gaining traction as a closer candidate, Lovelady's career 1.99 ERA and 9.7 K/9 in the minors might make him a decent speculative pickup in AL-only leagues as a potential ratio stabilizer.