MLB Player News

Neal is listed as the Athletics' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

With Luis Medina (finger) and Freddy Tarnok (calf) both recently landing on the injured list, Neal will get a chance to stake his claim to one of the vacant rotation spots. Between two stints on Oakland's 26-man active roster this season, Neal has made all seven of his appearances out of the bullpen, logging an 8.25 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 12 innings. He previously made nine starts with Triple-A Las Vegas this season and covered 3.1 innings in his most recent extend relief appearance for Oakland on Aug. 20, so he should be relatively stretched out compared to most pitchers transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation. Even so, Neal could struggle to reach the five innings that he would need to hit Friday in order to qualify for a win.

Pivetta improved to 9-6 while retiring two of the batters he faced via strikeout and walking the other in Boston's 7-5 win over Houston in 10 innings.

Pivetta had covered no more than four innings in any of his last six outings while serving as either a starter or a bulk reliever, but he ended up pitching in a high-leverage spot Wednesday after closer Kenley Jansen exited a 4-4 game in the bottom of the ninth with a hamstring injury. Pivetta came on to replace Jansen and recorded the final two outs of the frame to send the game to extras, with the right-hander picking up the win after Boston scored three runs in the top of the 10th. With the Red Sox returning Tanner Houck from the 15-day injured list Tuesday and inserting him into the rotation, Pivetta's run as a starting pitcher looks like it could be over for the time being.

Kelley was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kelley holds a 4.05 ERA and 8:4 K:BB over 13.1 innings during his time with the Rays this season. Tampa Bay is going with a bullpen game Thursday versus the Rockies and might need Kelley for multiple frames.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lopez was terrific during his short stint with the Rays, allowing just one run over seven relief innings. He was needed for three frames in Wednesday's win, though, so Tampa Bay is swapping him out for a fresh arm.

Fairbanks (2-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Rockies, striking out two in a perfect 10th inning.

The Rays erased a two-run deficit in the ninth, and after Fairbanks shut down the Rox in the top of the 10th, he got rewarded when Brandon Lowe walked it off with an RBI single. Both of Fairbanks' wins on the season have come in his last two outings, and he hasn't blown a save chance since mid-May -- delivering a 2.78 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB over 22.2 innings while converting 12 straight opportunities.

Curry pitched two innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out one batter in a game that was suspended due to rain.

Curry endured a rough first inning during which he gave up three runs on four hits. The right-hander bounced back with a one-hit, scoreless second frame but wasn't able to go any further since the game was suspended due to rain before a pitch was thrown in the third. Curry won't be available when the game is resumed Thursday.

Winckowski allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out two without walking a batter to earn the save in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Winckowski struggled a bit in the 10th inning, but he ultimately limited the damage to a Yainer Diaz RBI single. Kenley Jansen (hamstring) exited the game in the ninth inning after retiring one batter, while top setup men Chris Martin and Garrett Whitlock had pitched earlier in the contest. Winckowski has filled a versatile relief role this year, tallying three saves, 15 holds and four blown saves while posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 63:20 K:BB over 67.2 innings. The right-hander could see more high-leverage opportunities if Jansen is out for any extended length of time.

Jansen was taken out of Wednesday's game against the Astros due to tightness in his right hamstring, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

After displaying some discomfort on the mound during the ninth inning, Jansen was taken out of the game and is now confirmed to be dealing with a hamstring issue. The severity of Jansen's injury remains unknown, but Boston could refrain from using him out of the bullpen for the next few days at the very least.

Jansen was pulled from Wednesday's game against Houston with an apparent injury, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Jansen appeared uncomfortable on the mound after getting Jon Singleton to pop out in the ninth inning and was immediately removed by a trainer. The Red Sox will take a look at him and provide more details on what is bothering Jansen, but for now the 35-year-old closer should be considered day-to-day.

Norris signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Wednesday.

Three days after electing free agency upon being DFA'd by Cleveland, Norris will return to the Guardians organization as minor-league depth. The 30-year-old lefty turned in decent results during his time in the majors this season with a 3.38 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 10.2 frames. However, Norris will need to improve upon his 5.60 ERA in Triple-A before he has any chance at being selected back onto the active roster.