MLB Player News

Kimbrel was not used in a save opportunity Monday against the Royals, as Rowan Wick tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to close out a 2-0 win.

Over the weekend, manager David Ross was noncommittal when asked whether Kimbrel would remain the Cubs' closer going forward, and Monday's bullpen usage would seem to suggest Ross has more confidence in Wick. Kimbrel hadn't pitched since Friday, so he was fresh, and no injury has been reported. It simply seems that Kimbrel will be at best sharing the role for now, though it's possible that Wick and Jeremy Jeffress will take the reins in the ninth, with Kimbrel moving to a lower-leverage role for now. The veteran reliever turned in a career-worst 6.53 ERA for Chicago last season and has a 27.00 ERA through two appearances in 2020.

Kinley fired one scoreless inning and earned a hold in Monday's win against the Giants. He didn't allow any hits or walks and failed to record a strikeout.

Kinley has been dominant over his first four appearances with the Rockies after being claimed off waivers during the offseason. He hasn't allowed any runs or hits while posting a 5:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings. Despite his productive start to the season, the right-hander likely won't work in save situations since Jairo Diaz has been effective in that role recently.

Howard could start Sunday's game against the Braves, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

One of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Howard may have made his MLB debut already this season if not for all of the Phillies' postponements. He should be sufficiently stretched out to go deep enough to get the win if he does get the call for this start. Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler are going to pitch in Wednesday's doubleheader, and without an off day between then and Sunday, the Phillies will need a sixth starter. Now that the team has secured an extra year of control by keeping Howard in the minors for over a week, he could stick in the rotation over the rest of the season if he impresses in his debut.

Guzman will be added to the Marlins' 30-man roster ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Manny Navarro of The Athletic reports.

Despite working mainly as a starter in the minors, Guzman will work out of the bullpen during the start of his time with the Marlins. Manager Don Mattingly didn't rule out the possibility of using him as a starter amid the team's COVID-19 outbreak. "Our guys are going to have to be flexible," Mattingly said. The 24-year-old spent the 2019 season with Double-A Jacksonville and posted a 3.50 ERA and 127:71 K:BB over 138.2 innings.

Yamamoto will join the Marlins' 30-man roster prior to their game against the Orioles on Tuesday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Yamamoto narrowly missed out on a spot in the Marlins' starting rotation to begin the season, but he'll join the pitching staff to fill in during the team's COVID-19 outbreak. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, manager Don Mattingly said Pablo Lopez and Elieser Hernandez are the only regular rotation members who will definitely be available when the team returns to action Tuesday in Baltimore, so Yamamoto will presumably step in to fill one of the three potential openings on the starting staff. Yamamoto made 15 starts for Miami last season, recording a 4.46 ERA and 82:36 K:BB over 78.2 innings.

Castillo (lat) is feeling much better as he continues to recover, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Castillo has been sidelined since early July with a lat strain, but manager Jayce Tingler provided an encouraging update on his status Monday. The southpaw still hasn't resumed throwing off a mound, but Tingler said that he remains optimistic that Castillo will be able to pitch for the Padres later in the season.

Suarez was recalled from the Giants' alternate training site Monday.

Although Suarez narrowly missed out on a spot with the major-league pitching staff for Opening Day, he'll join the Giants after Andrew Triggs was optioned to alternate camp in a corresponding move. Suarez made 21 appearances (two starts) for San Francisco last season, posting a 5.79 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 32.2 innings. The southpaw should pitch mainly in low-leverage situations since he's struggled to limit run production in the past.

Miller opted out of the 2020 season Monday.

Miller didn't make the Brewers' Opening Day roster and was working at the team's alternate training site in Appleton. However, he'll elect to sit out the remainder of the season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 29-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Brewers during the offseason but should be ready to compete for a role with a major-league pitching staff ahead of the 2021 campaign.

De Los Santos was recalled by the Phillies on Monday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

De Los Santos will join the 30-man roster for the first time this season to take the place of Reggie McClain (personal), who was placed on the three-day paternity list Monday. The right-hander is unlikely to appear in high-leverage situations and could be on track to return to the Phillies' alternate training site once McClain returns.

Estevez allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning in Sunday's win against the Padres.

Estevez was tasked with getting the Rockies out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning Sunday, but he gave up a triple to Wil Myers to clear the bases before forcing a groundout to end the inning. The right-hander went out to begin the ninth inning in a non-save situation with a four-run lead. He gave up a triple to lead off the inning and managed to record two outs afterward, but he was removed from the game after allowing a double. Estevez had thrown 4.1 scoreless innings over his first four relief appearances this season, but he wasn't very reliable Sunday. Despite his shaky performance against the Padres, he should still be in competition with Jairo Diaz to serve as the closer while Wade Davis (shoulder) remains sidelined.