MLB Player News

Leone, who began 2017 with a relatively insignificant bullpen role, has taken over a high-leverage job since early July, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Leone was picked up off waivers by the Jays in November after he posted a 4.07 ERA over his first three seasons with Seattle and Arizona. The right-hander has turned in a career-best 2.52 and 1.04 WHIP through 42 games this year. "Shoot, he's been good all year, he really has," manager John Gibbons said. "He's been a workhorse for us, too. He's been used in the middle innings, but he can really fill any role for you. He'll throw multiple innings. He's done a lot of good things." Leone has four holds over his last 10 appearances.

Zych notched his 10th hold in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Royals, firing a scoreless sixth inning and recording two strikeouts.

Zych fired nine of his 13 pitches for strikes while posting his 12th scoreless effort in the last 14 appearances. The 27-year-old right-hander continues to see a brisk workload and has shown no ill effects from making a career-high 40 appearances thus far. Zych's solid 2.23 ERA, 10 holds and 32 strikeouts over 36.1 innings give him value in AL-only and deep formats that count holds.

Gonsalves was promoted to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Michael Avallone of MiLB.com reports.

After registering his sixth straight win with Double-A Chattanooga on Friday while dropping his season ERA to 2.68 (along with a 1.03 WHIP and 9.9 K/9) over 87.1 innings, Gonsalves will now get a chance to test himself at the minors' top level before the campaign draws to a close. The 23-year-old is still regaining some velocity after an early-season shoulder injury kept his fastball in the 88-92 mph range in his initial starts with Chattanooga, making his achievements to date all the more impressive. The southpaw could enter 2018 as the Twins' top pitching prospect.

Treinen notched his second save as a member of the Athletics by striking out two Angels in a perfect ninth inning Sunday.

Treinen didn't look like he'd get a chance to pitch with his team trailing 10-6 after seven innings, but a five-run eighth gave him an opportunity, and he didn't waste it. He was as effective as ever despite pitching for the third consecutive day, making amends for Friday's blown save.

Manaea was roughed up for six runs (five earned) on six hits with two walks and a strikeout in just 3.1 innings Sunday against the Angels.

Manaea was lucky to escape with a no-decision as opposing starter Ricky Nolasco was almost as bad. The 25-year-old lefty has been unable to gain any traction in his past two starts, lasting just 6.1 innings while allowing 12 runs. Not all of that damage is his fault, with five of those 12 runs being of the unearned variety. Manaea will hope for better play both from himself and the defense Friday against the Orioles.

Diaz allowed one walk and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 23rd save Sunday in Kansas City.

Diaz was the seventh reliever used by Seattle as a comfortable 7-0 lead turned into a nail-biting 8-7 win. The 23-year-old closer has been lights-out in his past four appearances, holding opponents without a hit while posting a 6:1 K:BB in four innings.

Yarbrough (12-5) fired 7.2 scoreless innings in Triple-A Durham's win over Norfolk on Sunday, allowing just three hits and recording six strikeouts.

The 25-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA to a solid 3.27 with the effort and boasts an impressive 131:35 K:BB over 135 innings across his first 22 starts at the Triple-A level. Yarbrough has spun scoreless efforts in five of his last eight trips to the mound, including in back-to-back outings. As per William Boor of MLB.com, Yarbrough has a 1.64 ERA in his five starts since the All-Star break as well, and given his body of work just a step below the majors, it appears increasingly likely he could see regular-season big-league action next season.

Junis allowed one run on just four hits over eight innings of a 9-1 win over Seattle on Sunday. He struck out seven and didn't issue a walk.

What a performance by the 24-year-old, who had been called up to be the team's 26th man and make a spot start for the second half of a doubleheader. Junis will likely head back to Triple-A Omaha, but Sunday's gem of a performance could prompt the Royals to give him additional action with the big club. Through 44 innings this year, Junis owns a 4.70 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 16:37 BB:K.

Devenski's recent struggles are traced to failing command of his fastball and slider, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Devenski has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, including four home runs, and four walks over his last 9.2 innings. "He's got to push through some things." manager A.J. Hinch said. "The walks are uncommon for him. And him not being able to locate his fastball, he's trying to do a little too much." Devenski has been an important piece of the Astros' bullpen, pitching in all kinds of high-leverage situations. While his latest stretch has been unpleasant, Devenski maintains a high strikeout rate (11.7 K/9) and will continue to throw when games are on the line.

Belisle collected a strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner during a scoreless ninth inning to record his first save of the season in Sunday's win over Texas.

The Twins are expected to utilize a closer-by-committee approach in the ninth inning moving forward, but Belisle is the first reliever to close out a game and record a save since Brandon Kintzler was traded. While Belisle is an obvious add candidate in all fantasy settings and could take the job and run with it, his supporting numbers aren't encouraging: 4.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7.4 K/9.