MLB Player News

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.

Crochet (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crochet pitched off a mound for the first time since hitting the injured list last month with shoulder inflammation. Next up for the left-hander is an expected two-inning bullpen session this weekend in Atlanta. If Crochet feels good coming out of that longer session, then he could face hitters by the middle of next week, putting him on schedule for a potential return during the last week of May. The Red Sox could follow a similar path as the one laid out for Sonny Gray when he dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this season, which could enable Crochet to return to the rotation without going on a rehab assignment beforehand.

Latz was charged with a blown save Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks. He failed to record an out.

Brought in to preserve a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning, Latz allowed six baserunners and even threw a wild pitch in a calamitous outing. The 30-year-old left-hander already had a loose grip on Texas' closer role, but his numbers remain strong enough that the Rangers figure to continue deploying him as their primary ninth-inning option. Even after Wednesday's outing, Latz has a 2.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB across 21.2 innings while converting five of his seven save chances.

Jax did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing four hits and four walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out one.

In two outings since moving into Tampa Bay's rotation, Jax has allowed just two earned runs across nine innings. While he managed to make it through five innings Wednesday, Jax was ultimately stuck with a no-decision as the Rays would fall to Toronto in 10 innings. Overall, Jax sports a 3.91 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB across 23 innings this year. Assuming he remains in the rotation, Jax would line up for a home matchup with the Orioles in his next outing.