MLB Player News

Lopez (1-4) tossed seven innings of one-run ball Sunday to earn the win over the Orioles, allowing five hits with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Lopez allowed a solo home run in the first inning, but he was dominant the rest of the way and allowed just two more runners to round first base. He threw 69 percent of his pitches for strikes as he easily notched a new career high in punchouts during this gem of an outing. Lopez's results have varied widely from start to start since the Royals acquired him, but perhaps the best outing of his young career can propel him to a strong finish to the season. He's next scheduled to take the ball this weekend against the Twins.

Manager Alex Cora mentioned Pomeranz as a possible starter for Wednesday's game against the Braves, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Pomeranz has been needed for a couple of long-relief stints over the past 10 days and should be stretched out enough to give the Red Sox between 70 and 80 pitches. His most recent work came Friday when he threw 67 pitches and struck out six over four scoreless innings. The Red Sox have been encouraged to see an increase in his fastball velocity since his move to the bullpen.

Johnson (4-4) allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings as he was saddled with the loss Sunday against the White Sox.

Johnson was knocked around early, surrendering two runs in the first and two more in the second. He was removed from the ballgame after recording just four outs on 38 pitches (28 strikes). The 27-year-old lefty hasn't lasted past the fifth inning in his last three outings, allowing eight runs through 10 innings while striking out eight over that span. With Chris Sale (shoulder) hopeful to return sometime next weekend, Johnson could return to a bullpen role in the near future.

Alvarado allowed a hit but struck out two batters, earning his seventh save in 0.2 innings of work during Sunday's 6-4 win over Cleveland.

Since the start of July, Alvarado has allowed just four runs (three earned) in 22 innings, dropping his ERA from 2.88 to 2.20 in the process. He's also 7-for-10 in save opportunities this season.

Yarbrough (13-5) tossed five innings of relief and earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three in the 6-4 victory over Cleveland.

Yarbrough took the mound in the second inning after Rays opener Diego Castillo tossed a scoreless first. He allowed an RBI single to Jose Ramirez in the seventh, knocking him out of the contest. The 26-year-old lefty dropped his ERA to 3.68 with a 112:42 K:BB.

Treinen retired all four batters he faced to earn his 35th save in Sunday's 8-2 win over Seattle.

While he didn't record a strikeout, Treinen needed just 11 pitches to finish off the final four outs. He lowered his ERA to a stifling 0.92 in 68.1 innings alongside a 91:20 K:BB.

Jurado will enter Monday's game against the Angels in relief, but will still serve as the Rangers' primary pitcher in the contest.

Jeffrey Springs will start the game as the Rangers opt to mimic the "opener" strategy the Rays have deployed throughout the season, with Jurado set to follow the left-hander. The adjustment can only help the 22-year-old Jurado, who has a 6.69 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over seven starts in the majors this season.

Hendriks (0-1) served as the opener in Saturday's "bullpen day" against the Mariners and allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. He recorded one strikeout.

Just recalled from Triple-A Nashville earlier in the day, Hendriks encountered rough sledding over his 30 pitches. The veteran reliever has found much more success at the minor-league level this season (2.84 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 43:4 K:BB) than with the Athletics, as he'd generated a 7.36 ERA over 11.2 innings before being designated for assignment back on June 25. Hendriks will likely be used in a variety of roles during September, but his body of work at the big-league level this season doesn't offer much reason to believe he'll carry fantasy utility.

Brasier allowed two hits and struck out three over 1.1 innings, picking up his sixth hold in Saturday's 6-1 win over the White Sox.

Brasier removed any doubt as to which member of the bullpen is the most trusted, high-leverage reliever. He entered with two outs in the sixth inning after Nicky Delmonico's double plated Yolmer Sanchez, reducing Boston's lead to 2-1. Brasier fed Avisail Garcia four straight four-seamers and struck him out on a 98 mph rising heater. One inning later, after the first two men reached on singles, he set down the final three batters, liberally using the same high heat that set down Garcia. The Red Sox relievers have had some trouble of late, but Brasier has stood out. Over the month of August, Boston's bullpen has a 3.79 ERA and a league worst 37.2 LOB% while Brasier has a 1.50 ERA and 89.3 LOB%.

Yarbrough appears likely to work as the Rays' primary pitcher in Sunday's game against the Indians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With rosters expanding Saturday, the Rays added more reinforcements to the bullpen in Vidal Nuno and Jaime Schultz, so Yarbrough may not be asked to cover as many innings in relief on days that he pitches as he had previously. Even so, he'll likely stand the best chance of any Rays pitcher to factor into the decision Sunday, making him worth keeping active for fantasy owners looking to make up ground in wins. Yarbrough has worked at least four frames in seven of his last eight appearances, turning in a 4.11 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over that stretch.