MLB Player News

Kimbrel picked up his 41st save of the season Saturday against the Mets, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning.

Kimbrel needed just 16 pitches -- 10 of which were strikes -- to retire the Mets in order. He's converted all four of his save chances in September, striking out nine batters while issuing just three walks across six innings in those appearances. Kimbrel's 41 saves are second in the majors.

Giles didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two over 1.1 innings to secure his 21st save of the season in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Yankees.

Giles entered with two outs in the eighth inning and the tying run on second base but struck out Gary Sanchez and then retired the Yankees in order for the bottom of the ninth inning. The 27-year-old has allowed only two hits and a walk in his last five appearances, his longest scoreless streak since May. Giles appears to have a firm hold on the closer's role for the Blue Jays.

Lopez underwent an MRI on Saturday that revealed no additional damage to his ribs, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Lopez indicated he still feels sore after exiting Friday's start during the fifth inning, but he hopes to throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday. If the 25-year-old is able to retake the mound quickly, he could seemingly return to the starting rotation next week.

Fulmer exited Saturday's start after five pitches due to right knee inflammation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Fulmer faced only two batters before leaving the game, giving up back-to-back home runs to Francisco Lindor and Michael Brantley. The severity of the injury is currently unclear.

Treinen (7-2) fired two scoreless and hitless innings during which he hit a batter in an extra-inning win over the Rays on Friday.

Treinen got a relatively rare opportunity for a decision in the extra-inning tussle, earning his seventh victory of the year with a near-perfect showing over his pair of frames. The veteran reliever has allowed just two earned runs over 26.1 post-All-Star-break innings, leading to stellar 0.85 figures in both ERA and WHIP for the season.

Chapman (knee) tossed a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday and will advance to a simulated game Monday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

The upcoming simulated game could be Chapman's final hurdle before rejoining the Yankees after manager Aaron Boone indicated Tuesday that the closer might return at some point next week. Following Saturday's session, Chapman said his knee "felt fine," which echoes his sentiments following Wednesday's side session. If all goes according to plan Monday, there's a chance Chapman will be available for the club's three-game set against Boston beginning Tuesday.

Jurado will work out of the bullpen Saturday against the Padres as the Rangers' primary pitcher, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jurado's most recent appearance came as a starter last weekend against the Athletics, but he failed to escape the first inning and gave up five runs on four hits and two walks. The rookie found much more success in his last outing as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen Sept. 3 against the Angels -- he tossed four shutout innings and allowed two hits and a walk -- so the Rangers will return him to that role with the hope of getting a better performance from him. Alex Claudio will serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher Saturday and likely work around an inning or two before giving way to Jurado.

Johnson allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Friday's 8-0 loss to the Mets.

Hector Velazquez was the scheduled starter but was scratched due to illness, so the Red Sox needed their bullpen arms. Johnson, who had previously made 12 starts this season before moving back to a relief role earlier this month, performed well after entering the contest with one out in the third inning. He induced a double-play grounder to get the Red Sox out of a jam, then ate some innings effectively during the blowout loss. This was the longest relief stint of Johnson's career, and the lefty has seemed to find his niche in the bullpen. Over his 14 relief outings, Johnson has produced a 1.99 ERA.

Covey will remain in the rotation as the replacement for Michael Kopech, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Covey gave up five runs over 4.1 innings when filling in for Kopech on Tuesday, picking up his 13th loss and raising his ERA to 5.64. Despite the unappealing numbers, he'll keep a turn in the rotation next week against the Indians. He's in line to pitch Tuesday, but with a day off Monday, he could be pushed back a day to allow Carlos Rodon to stay on schedule.

Hildenberger (4-4) blew the save and suffered the loss against the Royals on Friday. He gave up five earned runs on four hits and a walk while generating only a single out.

Hildenberger was able to get the first batter of the inning to ground out, but then the wheels fell off as he gave up a RBI single before Salvador Perez connected on a game-winning grand slam to seal the victory for the Royals. Hildenberger hadn't allowed an earned run in his previous seven appearances, but he now has three blown saves in nine opportunities this season. Following Friday's loss, his ERA stands at 4.70 in 2018.