MLB Player News

Lee (1-1) picked up the win Thursday over the Cubs, striking out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

AJ Smith-Shawver got the start but lasted only 4.1 innings before handing the ball off to Lee in the fifth inning to continue what proved to be a combined shutout for Atlanta. Lee has been impressive in a low-leverage role this season, posting a 1.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through 22.1 innings, but he has just one win and two holds in 14 appearances.

The Twins optioned Boushley to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

The club will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's game against the Rangers. Boushley has yielded two runs over two relief innings during his brief time in the majors this season.

Saucedo (knee) struck out one over a scoreless inning Thursday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Tacoma.

Saucedo landed on the 15-day injured list a little over two weeks ago with a hyperextended right knee. Because he hasn't missed much time, the left-handed reliever shouldn't need more than a couple rehab appearances, setting himself up for a return within the next few days.

Kimbrel picked up the save Thursday, getting the final two outs in an 8-6 victory over the White Sox.

Jonathan Heasley stayed in the game to start the ninth inning with the O's ahead 8-2 after getting the last out in the eighth, though he would quickly run into trouble after failing to retire the first four batters he faced in the final frame. He would be relieved by Yennier Cano, but Cano allowed three inherited runners to score while getting only one out, making it an 8-6 ballgame. That's when Kimbrel came in to save the day, needing just two pitches to record a bizarre double play as Andrew Vaughn was called out for runner's interference on an infield fly. The veteran reliever has converted all three of his save attempts this month after blowing back-to-back saves to close out April. Kimbrel also hasn't allowed any hits or walks in those three appearances with five strikeouts.

Jackson (2-1) allowed a run on two hits and struck out two over one inning, earning the win Thursday over the Pirates.

Jackson allowed a solo home run to Bryan Reynolds in the seventh inning, but the Giants pulled ahead with a five-run eighth. Jackson has been scored on in four of his last five outings, allowing multiple baserunners each time he's given up at least a run. The homer was the first he's allowed all year. Jackson is at an uninspiring 5.84 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB with two holds and three blown saves over 12.1 innings this season.

Faedo allowed three runs on three hits and a walk across 1.2 innings of relief in Thursday's 9-1 loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

After starting the season with a 2.25 ERA across his first 14 appearances, Faedo has allowed runs in his last three outings, and he has a 9.00 ERA during that stretch. The righty was a middling starter the last two years, and while he's looked a little better out of the bullpen, he may be regressing closer to his career 4.67 ERA. Faedo doesn't have a ton of fantasy value in his current middle-relief role, particularly given his recent struggles.

Wesneski (2-3) allowed a run on one hit across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss Thursday against Atlanta. He had no walks and struck out two.

Chicago starter Ben Brown tossed four scoreless innings but left with the game tied 0-0. Wesneski took over and promptly allowed a solo home run to Jarred Kelenic, which was enough to get saddled with the loss in what ended up as a 3-0 Atlanta victory. The righty started the season by earning wins in each of his first two appearances, but he's 0-3 across eight outings since then, though he does have a solid 2.55 ERA during that stretch.

Beeks allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take a blown save versus the Athletics on Thursday.

Beeks gave up a game-tying solo home run to Daz Cameron in the ninth inning. This was Beeks' second straight blown save, and it appears his high-wire act of allowing multiple baserunners in five straight contests is starting to come back to haunt him. On the year, Beeks has a 2.74 ERA, but a 1.35 WHIP and a 17:12 K:BB through 23 innings suggest he's been lucky to attain that level of run prevention. He's held the closer job for the Rockies for much of May, but that could come to an end if he doesn't right the ship quickly.

Brown allowed one hit and two walks while striking out six over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Brown did a fine job, throwing 42 of 66 pitches for strikes while working on three days' rest. He's started five of his 12 appearances this season and now has a 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB over 39.1 innings. Kyle Hendricks' struggles opened up this chance for Brown to start, but he could find himself back in the bullpen once Jordan Wicks (forearm) is cleared to return. In any case, Brown appears to be near the top of the list for the Cubs whenever they have an opening in the rotation to fill.

Iglesias struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Iglesias has converted his last four save chances since a blown save May 3 versus the Dodgers. He's allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over his last six innings, so it hasn't been the smoothest of stretches for the veteran closer. On the year, he's 12-for-14 in save chances with a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 19.1 innings.