MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned Allard to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

The lefty reliever will cede his spot on the active roster to catcher Jonah Heim, who was reinstated from the paternity list ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta. Allard was largely been limited to low-leverage work out of the bullpen during the first month of the season, making four appearances while giving up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks across seven frames.

The Angels optioned Suarez to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Suarez was demoted after he surrendered all four of the White Sox's runs while giving up eight hits and two walks over four innings in Saturday's 4-0 loss. The southpaw went 0-2 across his first four starts, submitting a 6.35 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 17 frames. Assuming the Angels elect to keep their six-man rotation intact, long reliever Jaime Barria could be the top candidate to pick up a start when Suarez's turn comes up again Friday versus the Nationals.

McClanahan (1-2) took the loss Saturday as the Rays fell 9-1 to the Twins, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out 11.

The 11 punchouts were a career high for the 25-year-old, who exited the game after 90 pitches (57 strikes). McClanahan is putting up ace-like ratios so far in 2022 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and eye-popping 39.3 percent strikeout rate through 27 innings, but until he can start working deeper into games, he'll have trouble making an impact in wins and quality starts as well.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Guardians, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four.

The southpaw dueled Shane Bieber to a 1-1 deadlock through six frames, as Irvin delivered his second quality start of the season on 90 pitches (64 strikes). His poor 15.9 percent strikeout rate is offset by a 49.4 percent groundball rate, and Irvin will take a 2.93 ERA and 1.16 WHIP into his next outing.

Bieber didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Athletics, allowing one run on seven hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

It was the longest outing of the season yet for Bieber, who fired 70 of 105 pitches for strikes in delivering his third straight quality start. The right-hander will take a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB through 29.1 innings into his next start.

The Athletics activated Kaprielian (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Guardians, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

To make room for Kaprielian on the active roster and in the rotation in advance of his season debut, the Athletics optioned No. 5 starter Adam Oller to Triple-A Las Vegas. Kaprielian topped out at four innings and 84 pitches in his third and final rehab start for Las Vegas on Sunday, so he should be capable of giving the Athletics a decent amount of length in his 2022 debut. The right-hander looked rusty during his rehab assignment, however, as he allowed 11 runs and posted a 13:5 K:BB across 13.2 innings over his three starts. As a result, fantasy managers may want to delay activating him for Sunday's start.

Dunning (1-1) earned the win over Atlanta on Saturday, tossing 7.2 innings and allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out seven.

This was easily Dunning's finest outing of the season, as he notched a season-high 7.2 frames while allowing the fewest hits (three) and runs (one) of any of his five starts. The right-hander induced 14 swinging strikes and tied his season high with seven punchouts en route to his first victory of the campaign. Dunning has been fairly effective overall this season, as he hasn't given up more than three runs in any appearance and has posted a respectable 3.81 ERA and 26:8 K:BB across 26 frames. He's lined up to make his next start in New York against the Yankees on Friday.

Watkins allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 4.2 innings against Boston on Saturday. He did not factor in the decision.

Watkins wasn't dominant against the Red Sox, as he fanned only three batters and allowed at least one baserunner in four of the five innings in which he pitched. However, the right-hander allowed only one extra-base hit -- to the first batter he faced in the contest -- and didn't yield any runs after the first frame. Watkins has yet to go deeper than five innings or throw more than 76 pitches in a start this season, and he has posted a mediocre 4.1 K/9, but he's been able to limit damage against him to the tune of a 2.55 ERA through 17.2 frames. He's lined up to face Minnesota at home Thursday for his next start.

Eovaldi did not factor in the decision against Baltimore on Saturday despite tossing seven scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and no walks while striking out eight.

Eovaldi held the Orioles without a hit for 5.2 frames and left with a 1-0 lead after seven standout innings, but the Boston offense generated only one run and its bullpen couldn't hold the lead for the right-hander. Still, this was another impressive performance for Eovaldi, who racked up 16 swinging strikes and notched his second consecutive quality start. He'll carry a 2.51 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 32:3 K:BB into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home against the White Sox on Friday.

Cole (2-0) registered the win during Saturday's 3-0 victory against Kansas City, allowing five hits with six strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

For the second straight start, Cole went at least six scoreless innings as he limited the Royals' scoring threats to minor efforts in the third and sixth frames. The 31-year-old has gone 12.2 innings without allowing a run after surrendering eight in his first 11.1 frames, and he now possesses a 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 24 innings across five turns. He currently lines up to face the Rangers in his next start.