MLB Player News

Erceg allowed one run on two hits and no walks with a strikeout over one inning in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox.

Erceg, who had not pitched over the previous five days, entered with the Royals trailing in the eighth inning and surrendered an RBI single to Derek Hill to widen the deficit. Thursday's outing snapped a streak of eight consecutive scoreless innings for Erceg, who had also recorded five saves during that stretch. The right-hander owns a 3.63 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 15:12 K:BB with 10 saves across 17.1 innings and figures to continue operating as Kansas City's closer with Carlos Estevez (foot/shoulder) not close to returning from the injured list.

Leiter threw a perfect inning while striking out two Thursday against the Cardinals.

Leiter was called upon to pitch the seventh inning and did so without issue, retiring the side in order. It marked the third consecutive scoreless outing for the right-hander, who has struggled mightily at times during his first season with the Athletics. Leiter has allowed multiple runs in four of his 20 appearances this year, contributing to a 7.64 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 17.2 innings.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 27-year-old reliever has yielded just one run with a 4:1 K:BB over 8.1 frames for the Tigers this season, but that run came in Hanifee's last appearance Thursday, when he served up a solo shot to the Mets' Juan Soto. Ty Madden is expected to serve as the bulk reliever for Detroit on Friday.

Lopez did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings.

Lopez was effective through the first four innings, allowing just one hit before trouble arrived. Victor Scott tied the game with a solo homer in the fifth, and Jordan Walker added another solo shot an inning later before a throwing error helped bring home an additional run that ended Lopez's outing. The left-hander threw 56 of his 86 pitches for strikes but continued to struggle with keeping the ball in the yard, as he's now allowed multiple homers in three straight appearances. Lopez also has yet to complete six frames in a start this season. He owns a 5.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 30:27 K:BB across 40.1 innings and is slated to face the Angels in his next turn through the rotation.

Newcomb notched a save against the Royals on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over two scoreless innings.

Newcomb entered in the eighth inning with Chicago holding a three-run lead. He tossed a scoreless frame, then saw the White Sox tack on a run in the bottom of the inning. Newcomb returned for the ninth and retired the side in order to lock down the save. Primary closer Seranthony Dominguez pitched each of the previous two days, and it's unclear if he would have been called upon in the ninth anyway since the White Sox held a four-run lead. Dominguez remains the team's clear top ninth-inning option, so fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect Newcomb to see many additional save chances going forward.

Kay (3-1) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six-plus innings.

Kay gave up a run in the first inning but then tossed five straight scoreless frames. He departed after giving up a leadoff triple in the seventh, and though that runner eventually came around to score, Kay ended with both a quality start and a victory. The southpaw has shown improvement on the mound of late -- after failing to complete five innings in five of his first six starts and posting a 6.12 ERA over that span, he's tossed at least five frames in each of his past three starts and has given up just four earned runs while notching a 14:5 K:BB across 16 innings during that stretch. Kay is projected to next take the mound next week in Seattle.

Brash (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash resumed throwing off the mound earlier this week and is now ready to test things out in a game setting. The setup reliever has been out for all of May with right lat inflammation but appears close to a return if he can avoid a setback.

The Mariners optioned Simpson to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Simpson pitched one-third of an inning against Houston on Wednesday and will now make his return to Triple-A in order to make room for Jose Ferrer's return from the paternity list. Simpson made three appearances after being called up May 4, registering a 7.71 ERA with three strikeouts.

The Mariners activated Ferrer from the paternity leave list Thursday.

Ferrer missed the first three games of the series against the Astros as he welcomed a new baby to the family, but he'll be available for Thursday's finale. The hard-throwing southpaw has been terrific in his first season as a setup man in Seattle, boasting a 1.80 ERA and 16:3 K:BB over 20 innings.

Bolton struck out four and allowed two earned runs on two hits and three walks over two innings of relief Sunday in the Astros' 5-0 loss to the Reds.

After being activated from the injured list April 30, Bolton made a one-inning relief appearance later that day before he was called upon to start three days later in the Astros' series finale in Boston. He covered just 2.1 innings in that start and then went unused for a week before the Astros turned to him this past Sunday to fill innings behind starter Kai-Wei Teng, who was chased from the game after covering the first three frames. The Astros are continuing to run a six-man rotation this week, but with Teng on track to get another start Saturday, Bolton looks like he'll stick in the bullpen. Through six appearances (three starts) on the season, Bolton has submitted a 5.27 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB over 13.2 innings.