MLB Player News

Kelly was just about as close to perfect as a pitcher can be in this one. He artfully worked the edges of the plate with his changeup, cutter, fastball, and sinker en route to a downright gem. That changeup was the star though, forcing eight swings-and-misses and it felt like every single one he threw was located perfected low and diving out of the zone. He’s now completed at least six innings in eight of his last 11 starts and sports a tidy 3.43 ERA. Kelly is lined up for a two-start week coming up against the Mariners and Padres with both starts coming at home.

There doesn’t appear to be any sort of illness or injury at play here, it’s just a routine day off for the hard-hitting second baseman. Ildemaro Vargas will slide over and cover second base while Jose Fernandez starts at first base and will bat eighth for the Diamondbacks against Michael Lorenzen and the Rockies.

Yelich had missed the team’s previous four games due to tightness in his back. He’ll serve as the team’s designated hitter and bat in the cleanup spot against Twins’ right-hander Bailey Ober on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The injury isn’t believed to be anything serious, but he’ll sit on Sunday before being re-evaluated on Tuesday. Teel had been tracking toward a return to the White Sox in mid-May, but it’s possible this will set him back a bit.

It’s the fourth straight game that Buxton has missed due to lingering right hip flexor soreness. There’s growing optimism though that he should be ready to return on Monday. Ryan Kreidler will start in his place in center field and will bat eighth for the Twins against Brewers’ southpaw Robert Gasser.

Harvey suffered a setback in his recovery last week when he suffered a stress reaction while progressing through his throwing program. There’s still no clear timetable for his return. Moving him to the 60-day IL on Sunday cleared a spot on the Cubs’ 40-man roster for the promotion of Ty Blach.

The 35-year-old southpaw has made five appearances (three starts) at the Triple-A level, posting a 5.23 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a 14/7 K/BB ratio over 20 2/3 innings. He’ll provide the Cubs with another option that’s capable of working multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Assad has struggled in a hybrid role for the Cubs this season, posting a 5.88 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 14/7 K/BB ratio over 26 innings in eight appearances (three starts). He’ll return to the rotation at Triple-A Iowa where he’ll likely be the next man up the next time the Cubs require an extra starter. Ty Blach was promoted from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Madden was drilled in the forearm by a 107.9 mph line drive during Friday’s contest against the Jays. Fortunately, he didn’t suffer any structural damage, but after playing catch on Saturday he was still experiencing enough soreness that the Tigers opted to sit him down for a couple of weeks. Will Vest was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Vest will rejoin the Tigers’ bullpen on Sunday after missing a couple of weeks due to inflammation in his forearm. Before he was shelved, Vest posted an unsightly 6.17 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a 13/6 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings of work. Ty Madden (forearm) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move on Sunday.

It’s the second straight game that Seager has missed with what the Rangers are calling “minor” back spasms. Ezequiel Duran will once again start in his place at shortstop and will bat fifth for the Rangers against Peter Lambert and the Astros.