MLB Player News

Rodney got the save against the Angels on Friday, giving up one hit without a walk or a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning to close out the Twins' 5-4 victory.

It was the sixth save of the year for the veteran and his third straight appearance in which he has managed to close out a game with a drama-free effort. Rodney does have three blown saves to his name already this season, but his strong pitching of late should give him a firm grasp on the closer role in Minnesota, at least for the time being.

Andriese will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The versatile right-hander most recently pitched a pair of perfect frames against the Braves on Wednesday, throwing a modest 26 pitches. Andriese has started one prior game this season, with his other 10 appearances coming out of the bullpen. He should be able to work through at least five innings Saturday provided he doesn't run into trouble, considering he's logged 45 career starts over his three-plus major-league seasons.

Fulmer (2-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Friday, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three over 1.2 innings.

It was more of the same for Fulmer -- he gave up a grand slam to Willson Contreras and has now given up eight long balls in 30.1 innings this season. He's compounded those issues with walks, issuing 19 free passes. The 24-year-old now has a 6.23 ERA and 1.75 WHIP, and while manager Rick Renteria told James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago after the game that Fulmer will make his next start in Pittsburgh, it may only be a matter of weeks before Fulmer is replaced in the rotation by top prospect Michael Kopech.

Yacabonis was called up from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Friday's game against Tampa Bay, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Yacabonis will provide another bullpen arm as the Orioles are gearing up for four games in the next three days. Afterwards, the right-hander will likely be shipped back to the Tides. During six starts with Norfolk this year, he's posted a 4.95 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, though he gave up three earned runs over one inning of work at the major-league level in his lone appearance with Baltimore in early April.

Banda will be recalled from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Banda is expected to serve as the starter during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Baltimore as the 26th man. During seven starts with Durham this year, he's logged a 3.50 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 44 strikeouts over 36 innings.

Mayza was sent back down to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Mayza has appeared in six games for the Blue Jays this season, posting a 4.26 ERA and 1.89 WHIP over 6.1 innings of relief. In a corresponding move, the club placed Marcus Stroman on the DL (shoulder) and recalled Joe Biagini and Sam Gaviglio from the minors.

Diaz fired a perfect ninth inning in which he struck out the side to close out a win over the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Diaz's final line indicates how locked in he was during his one frame, as he fired 14 of 19 pitches for strikes and induced an impressive six swings and misses. It was a good confidence-boosting outing for the 24-year-old closer, who'd allowed a game-tying home run in his previous trip on the mound against the Angels last Saturday.

May (elbow) will embark on a rehab assignment beginning with High-A Fort Myers on Saturday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

May has appeared in extended spring training games over the past couple of weeks as he continues to work back from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander hasn't experienced any setbacks at this point in his recovery, and a more definitive timetable should come into focus following Saturday's minor-league outing. He will be eligible to return from the 60-day DL on May 28.

Graveman will be called up to take the hill versus the Yankees on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Athletics will officially recall Graveman in the coming hours after the 27-year-old got back on track with a solid performance last weekend with Triple-A Nashville. Over six starts with the big-league club this season, Graveman has struggled tremendously, posting an 8.89 ERA and 1.84 WHIP with a 23:11 K:BB in 28.1 innings. He will have his hands full against the Yankees.

Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth inning to earn his 10th save against the Yankees on Thursday.

Kimbrel bounced back after blowing the lead and his second save of the season Wednesday night, and is now 10-for-12 in save opportunities this season. That's good for second most in the American League, and there's no reason to expect his opportunities or ability to successfully convert them to slow.