MLB Player News

Giles struck out one in a perfect eighth inning of Sunday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.

It's been five games since the Astros needed someone to close out a game, so we're still not sure exactly where Giles stands. He came on in the eighth inning while Chris Devenski mopped up the ninth, which may be an indicator. The good news is that Giles is pitching after manager A.J. Hinch discussed some back tightness the reliever was experiencing last week. Giles hasn't walked a batter all season and hasn't allowed a hit in his last three outings, but the strikeouts are down -- just three over seven innings. This is a guy that fanned nearly 12 per nine innings last season. His velocity averaged 96 mph Sunday, a few ticks below where he usually sits, but not necessarily alarming. For now, you'll need to hold onto Giles for any potential saves and wait to hear definitive intelligence about his role going forward.

Treinen (1-1) pitched 1.2 clean innings and stuck out three to earn the win Sunday against the Red Sox.

Treinen entered a tied game in the eighth inning and inherited a runner on first. However, he proceeded to strike out the first two batters he faced and then continued on to pitch a clean ninth inning to earn his first win of the season. The Athletics haven't hesitated to use him across multiple innings this season as he has recorded more than three outs in six of his seven appearances. Despite two blown saves early on, Treinen remains locked into the closer role.

Mengden allowed one earned run on six hits while walking none and striking out five across 6.1 innings Sunday against the Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Mengden pitched well enough to earn the win but didn't get enough run support. He showed strong control of the strike zone -- 72 of his 102 pitches were strikes -- and limited the Red Sox to just two extra-base hits. Through five starts this season, Mengden has yet to walk more than one batter in an outing and has just a 0.89 BB/9 as a result. Strikeouts are lacking in his profile, but he has pitched deep into his past two starts and has proven capable of providing solid ratios.

Barria was sent back to Triple-A Salt Lake following Sunday's loss to the Giants, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barria lasted just two innings during Sunday's start, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one. As expected, he was optioned to Triple-A following the game, seeing as the Angels won't require a sixth starter until May 6 in Seattle. Through two starts, Barria is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and four strikeouts across seven innings.

Lopez allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out two over five innings and was not on the hook for Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Astros.

Lopez was far from efficient, requiring 100 pitches to get through his five innings, but the White Sox were just happy to have a starter keep them in a game after losing the first two of the series by a combined 20-1. Pitch efficiency hasn't been a calling card for Lopez, who's managed to tap dance around 15 walks in 24 innings this season. He's done that mainly by limiting hits: Opponents are batting .129 off him. Lopez will next take the ball Friday on the road against Kansas City.

Robertson (0-1) struck out one and allowed a hit in one inning of work during Sunday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Robertson got the ball in the eighth, and he fired 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes while only giving up a poke single to Teoscar Hernandez. The 33-year-old has now allowed just one earned run over his last eight appearances, and he has 14 strikeouts compared to just two walks in that span.

An MRI on Sedlock's strained right shoulder came back negative, but the 22-year-old is set to receive an injection in the upcoming days, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

While Sedlock was fortunate to avoid structural damage to the shoulder, he'll almost certainly miss more than the minimum seven days after High-A Frederick placed him on its disabled list Saturday. It shouldn't represent a major setback in Sedlock's development, but the right-hander likely isn't on many fantasy radars yet in dynasty settings after struggling in his 20 starts with Frederick a season ago. Sedlock delivered a 5.90 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 69:36 K:BB across 90 frames in 2017.

Rodriguez (elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound at the Rangers' extended spring training facility, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers believe Rodriguez will be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in early May, putting him on track to be activated from the 60-day disabled list when he's first eligible in late May. The right-hander is among the harder throwers in the Rangers' system, but the inconsistency he displayed in the second half of last season may result in Texas optioning him to Triple-A Round Rock upon his activation.

The Angels optioned Paredes to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Paredes' demotion clears up a spot on the active roster for pitcher Jaime Barria, who was recalled from Salt Lake in a corresponding move to start the Angels' game Sunday against the Giants. The 23-year-old's latest stint with the big club lasted all of one day, with Paredes going unused Saturday in the Angels' 4-3 win over the Giants.

Barria was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Giants, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barria earned a second turn as the Angels' No. 6 starter after an excellent showing in his MLB debut April 11, when he limited the Rangers to one run on one hit and three walks en route to the victory. Due to off days April 26 and 30, the Angels won't require a sixth starter again until May 6 in Seattle, so there's a good possibility that Barria will be demoted following Sunday's turn. That said, Barria could make a decent streaming option in deeper formats while pitching at home against a Giants offense that has produced a collective 81 wRC+ for the season, which ranks 25th in baseball.