MLB Player News

Chapman worked around a walk and struck out a batter to record his first save Tuesday against the Royals.

Even though Andrew Miller was perfect as the interim closer, Chapman has assumed the closer role after one warmup outing, as expected. Chapman has never been particularly stingy with the free passes, as he issued 57 walks in the past two years for the Reds, but with his stuff, it rarely comes back to bite him.

Santiago fell to 2-2 Tuesday versus the Cardinals, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks in just 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The left-hander posted a 2.70 ERA and a 9.1 K/9 through his first four starts, but he has now allowed 11 earned runs and struck out seven total batters in 15.1 innings since. He has not been exceptionally wild, rather he has been missing over the plate, and he has been extremely hitable of late as a result. He will look to right the ship Sunday at Seattle.

Fulmer (2-1) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts over five innings in Tuesday's win over Washington.

Fulmer was cruising until he was touched up for a two-run home run by Ryan Zimmerman in the fifth inning. He now has 16 strikeouts in 15 innings but has already allowed three home runs, continuing a problem he had at Triple-A to open the season, the main factor behind his 6.00 ERA. He has the stuff to miss bats at the major league level, but it remains to be seen if he has the command to get through games without making the kind of big mistake he made to Zimmerman on Tuesday night.

Manaea (0-1) served up eight runs on 10 hits over just 2.2 innings in a loss Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Manaea was touched up for a pair of home runs in the first inning and was chased after six hits, including five consecutive, in the third inning. All of Manaea's starts thus far have been ruined by a single bad inning, as he allowed three runs in the fifth inning his first time out against Houston and four runs in the same frame in his previous start against Seattle. Manaea dominated Triple-A, with 21 strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in three starts, but major league hitters are having little trouble figuring him out.

Boxberger (abdomen) will throw an inning in an extended spring training game Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays checked up on Boxberger's health Tuesday, a day after he threw another live batting practice session, and it seems all test on his abdominal area were normal. If he makes it through a couple extended spring appearances unscathed, Boxberger should be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment. Manager Kevin Cash has already said that Boxberger will return to the closer role upon activation.

Zych (shoulder) is hoping to resume flat-ground throwing this weekend, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Evidently, the inflammation in Zych's shoulder has already reduced some in the week since he landed on the DL. This news does not necessarily move up Zych's four-week estimated recovery timetable, but if he's able to throw by this weekend, it would bode well for his chances of returning early next month.

Coulombe had his contract selected by Oakland on Tuesday.

Coulombe began the season at Triple-A and was off of the 40-man roster, but he'll now be added to the roster while making his first trip up to the big leagues this season. The move comes on the heels of the A's sending Liam Hendriks (arm) to the DL and optioning J.B. Wendelken to Triple-A on Tuesday. Coulombe has fared well at Triple-A this season, appearing in 11 games and allowing just one earned run on six hits (14.0 innings).

Hendriks (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

Having last pitched Saturday, the 27-year-old Hendriks will be eligible to return from the disabled list May 23. Despite owning a 19:1 K:BB ratio, he's surrendered a whopping 16 runs (15 earned) in just 16.1 innings over 11 appearances. His elbow may have been contributing to the struggles, but poor BABIP luck was also factor.

Boxberger (abdomen), whose closer job has already been guaranteed by manager Kevin Cash when he's ready to return, threw another batting practice session Monday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

The session unfolded in the Rays' spring training home of Port Charlotte, and depending on how Boxberger feels Tuesday, could lead to an extended spring camp game appearance. Boxberger would then potentially move on to his official rehab assignment, and eventually return to his late-inning closer role that has been capably held down by Alex Colome to date this season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Boxberger (abdomen) will serve as the team's closer when he returns from the disabled list, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Despite converting each of his nine save opportunities so far, Alex Colome will move to a setup role once Boxberger returns, which should happen some time between mid-May and early June. Boxberger led the American League with 41 saves last season.