Texas Rangers relief pitcher Kirby Yates closed out the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in a 9-7 win. Yates got the final four outs of this one, allowing just a hit while striking out one. It was the 37-year-old's second save of the season, with his first coming on Monday. He has been used as Texas' highest-leverage pitcher for the past few weeks and is likely to continue in that role, which will presumably give him the best chance at saves in the Rangers bullpen. He should be added in any leagues where saves matter.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Paul Skenes was electric on Thursday, dominating minor-league hitters for Triple-A Indianapolis. Skenes pitched 3 innings of shutout ball, allowing just a hit and two walks while striking out a whopping eight. He also built up to 65 pitches in this one. The Pirates said earlier in the day that Skenes will need more seasoning in the minors before he is called up, but it's going to be really tough to keep him down there if he keeps pitching like he has been. He needs to be rostered in all leagues at this point, as his call-up feels like an inevitability.

The Boston Red Sox announced on Thursday that they acquired right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester. In a corresponding move, the team moved shortstop Trevor Story (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Gutierrez started the year with the Miami Marlins but was claimed off waivers earlier this month by Milwaukee. The 28-year-old Cuban hurler gave up three earned runs on three hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out four in his only major-league outing this year in a four-inning relief appearance in Milwaukee. Gutierrez has experience out of the bullpen and as a starter in his two previous major-league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and will provide pitching depth in Boston now.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (wrist) was removed from his start early on Thursday night against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning after taking a comebacker off his right wrist before recording the final out of the frame. Before hitting the showers early and likely going for an X-ray on his wrist, Nelson tossed two shutout innings with two hits allowed, no walks and no strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 4.60. He was replaced on the mound by left-hander Logan Allen. Fantasy managers wondering if the 26-year-old Nelson will be able to make his next start will need to check back later on Thursday night or Friday morning for more information on the severity of his injury. If Nelson needs a stint on the injured list, the D-backs could bring Tommy Henry back after just optioning him to Triple-A Reno.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Tyler Alexander will make the start on Friday for the series opener in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Alexander has appeared in three games so far this year for the Rays, with one of those three outings coming as a traditional start on April 6 against the Colorado Rockies, when he allowed four earned runs on eight hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings for a no-decision. The 29-year-old southpaw has fanned 12 and walked five in 15 1/3 total innings, but the most concerning issue is that Alexander has already allowed five home runs and 11 earned runs on 20 hits for a 6.46 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Fantasy managers should absolutely ignore Alexander as a spot starter on Friday in the Bronx.