MLB Player News

Yarbrough is expected to be available in relief for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Yarbrough's last appearance came Sept. 24, so the five days of rest between outings should keep him available as the Rays' primary pitcher is manager Kevin Cash elects to go that route. However, with the season wrapping up Sunday, it's possible Cash deviates from that plan and instead opts to go with a "bullpen game" behind opener Ryne Stanek. Though Yarbrough would still pitch in that scenario, his workload could be more limited than it has been in his most recent outings.

Junis (9-12) picked up the win Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six in a 9-4 victory over Cleveland.

The right-hander finished the year on a high note, delivering quality starts in five of his final six outings and posting a 3.46 ERA and 32:3 K:BB in 39 innings over that stretch. Junis' first full season in the Royals' rotation had its ups and downs, and he'll need to rein in his 1.4 HR/9 if he's going to significantly improve on his 4.42 ERA, but his outstanding control (2.2 BB/9) should have him locked into a rotation spot heading into next spring.

Treinen allowed one hit but struck out two batters to turn in a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save Saturday against the Angels.

Treinen allowed an infield single to the leadoff hitter prior to setting down the Angels' lineup to earn his 38th save of the season. This campaign marked his first as a full-time closer, and he responded by posting a tremendous 0.79 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 98 strikeouts across 79.1 innings.

Stanek will serve as the Rays' opener Sunday against the Blue Jays, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will again serve as the first option on a Rays bullpen day as Tampa Bay closes out its promising season. Stanek carries a 3.08 ERA, 10.9 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 58 games, including a 3.55 ERA in 28 starts -- over which he's accumulated only 38 innings. The Rays haven't yet confirmed the primary pitcher, but Ryan Yarbrough is the most likely candidate.

Diaz worked out of a bases-loaded jam and struck out three in a scoreless inning to record the save Saturday against the Rangers.

Diaz allowed just one hit, but he also hit a batter and put another one on due to an error. He struck out Jurickson Profar with the bases loaded to get his 57th save, tied for the second-highest single-season total in the modern era. He's also posted a 1.96 ERA and 0.79 ERA with 124 strikeouts across 73.1 innings.

Yacabonis will start the Orioles' season finale Sunday against the Astros, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Yacabonis has a 6.00 ERA in 11 games (six starts) in 2018 and will get the "honor" of playing out the last bit of string for the 46-115 O's. Boost the outlook for Astros hitters -- at least those not already must-starts.

Norris did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the Brewers, as he allowed five runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The Tigers staked Norris to a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning, but that's when the lefty started to struggle. He gave up a two-run homer to Christian Yelich in the third and then gave up three more runs an inning later before departing with two outs in the fifth. Norris finishes an injury-shortened 2018 campaign with a 5.68 ERA across 44.1 innings. Still just 25, he'll likely slot into Detroit's 2019 rotation, though he has yet to live up to his prospect hype from earlier in his career.

Borucki (4-6) was left with the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits (including two home runs) and three walks in 6.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out three.

Despite the setback, Borucki enters Sunday with 11 quality starts, leading all rookies. Unfortunately, his useful 3.87 ERA on the season looks shaky when paired with his 6.2 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9; the 24-year-old probably was pitching over his head. Still, the 24-year-old will probably get a chance to chew up innings at the back end of Toronto's rotation in 2019, which makes him at least a speculative arm in AL-only fantasy games.

Chapman walked one and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning to notch his 32nd save of the season in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Red Sox.

It was the first save since Aug. 14 for the veteran left-hander. Chapman is 32-for-34 in save opportunities and has a 2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 93 strikeouts over 51.1 innings.

Hendriks will serve as the opener in Saturday's game against the Angels, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Trevor Cahill was originally penciled in as the traditional starter but will instead be the first arm out of the bullpen with Hendriks taking the first inning. The 29-year-old has a 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in seven appearances as the opener for the Athletics.