MLB Player News

Giles walked one and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Rangers.

Giles came on with one out in the sixth inning and, after ceding a walk to the first batter, set down five consecutive Rangers. It was the earliest that Giles has entered a game this season. He appears to have temporarily lost the closer job to Hector Rondon, who saved Sunday's game -- his third in the last five games.

Lopez (2-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out six across 6.1 innings as he picked up the win Sunday against Boston.

Lopez allowed a run in the second inning off a single by Rafael Devers and an unearned run on an error by his second baseman in the seventh inning, but he managed to exit with a 3-2 lead against a tough Red Sox lineup. He's been rock-solid in his last two starts, allowing just one earned run across 13.1 innings to go with 10 strikeouts. Lopez sports a 3.26 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with a 54:34 K:BB over 77.1 innings this season.

Moore allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits and one walk while failing to register a strikeout across three innings Sunday against the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.

Moore couldn't survive his first pitch without allowing an earned run, as George Springer drove a home run to center field on Moore's opening offering of the game. Things didn't improve much from there for him, as he allowed three more extra-base hits before being chased after three innings. This start marked the fourth time in 12 starts that Moore has failed to complete at least four innings of work, and he now has a horrendous 7.88 ERA to go along with a 2.04 WHIP through 56 frames this season.

The Blue Jays optioned Mayza to Triple-A Buffalo following Sunday's 13-3 win over the Orioles, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

His demotion clears a spot on the active roster for Preston Guilmet, whom the Blue Jays scooped up off the waiver wire a day earlier. Mayza covered the final two innings of Sunday's rout, giving up no runs and only one hit to lower his season ERA to 2.70.

Stanek won't open Monday's game against the Blue Jays but could open another game at some point in the Rays' subsequent four contests, Juan Toribio of The Athletic Tampa Bay reports.

Stanek was initially scheduled to work an inning or two at the start of Monday's contest, but that plan was scrapped after he was summoned in relief during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners. The right-hander worked a scoreless ninth but needed 24 pitches to retire the side. He'll get a day or two of rest before being available out of the bullpen or opening a game for the Rays.

Yarbrough is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Juan Toribio of The Athletic Tampa Bay reports.

Ryne Stanek was initially scheduled to be the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's contest, according to Toribio, but that plan was scrapped after the right-hander tossed 24 pitches in relief in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners. The change likely won't impact Yarbrough much, as he would have been slated to cover the bulk of the innings in the series opener even if he had been used out of the bullpen. The lefty has worked at least five frames in each of his last seven outings, registering a 3.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB in 39.1 innings over that span.

Diaz worked around a pair of hits in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 23rd save of the season Sunday against the Rays.

Diaz certainly made things exciting in this one, allowing an infield single before a well-struck base hit brought the aforementioned runner toward the plate. Fortunately, he was thrown out at home to close out the one-run victory. Diaz has excelled once again this season, posting a 2.65 ERA and 0.91 WHIP to go along with his league-leading number of saves.

Covey is the projected starter for Wednesday's game against the Indians.

Covey earned himself a spot in the rotation after outdueling Boston's Chris Sale on Friday. Up to that point, the White Sox hadn't announced which pitcher would be removed from the rotation to make room for the returning Carlos Rodon (shoulder), who started Saturday. The organization has since announced Hector Santiago will move back to the bullpen and Covey will remain in the rotation.

Giles remained in the bullpen Saturday as manager A.J. Hinch called on Hector Rondon to close out a 4-3 win over the Rangers.

It was the second consecutive game that Giles had been bypassed for a save opportunity, both of which came with him rested and available. Giles has been perfect in save situations, but he's made a mess of three of his last five outings, only one of which was a save chance. He's allowed six runs and 10 hits over his last four innings (13.50 ERA). Hinch suggested to Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston that Rondon is the hotter hand right now while Giles gets a breather. The manager noted Giles has had a hard time "having clean innings," a not-so-subtle assessment of his performance over the past 10 days.

Kimbrel struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 20th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the White Sox.

The 30-year-old has converted 11 straight save chances, and Kimbrel now has a tidy 2.00 ERA on the year to go along with a 38:6 K:BB in 27 innings. He remains one of the league's elite closing options, and his fantasy value shows no signs of slowing given the volume of opportunities he should receive in Boston over the remainder of 2018.