MLB Player News

Fleming will serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Javy Guerra in Sunday's contest versus the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Fleming will be making his return to the mound following a foot contusion he suffered in his last outing Tuesday against the Pirates, which forced him to exit the contest. The left-hander threw a bullpen session Friday and is expected to be able to handle the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen for Tampa Bay on Sunday. Fleming has appeared in six games this season, including one start, producing a 3.18 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

Guerra will operate as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's matchup with the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

After being acquired via trade from the Brewers on April 29, Guerra served as the team's opener Tuesday versus the Pirates, walking two batters while pitching two-thirds scoreless to begin the contest. He'll now look to make it two straight scoreless outings since returning to Tampa Bay prior to handing the ball off to Josh Fleming as the Rays go for the series win Sunday. Guerra owns an 8.00 ERA and 2.33 WHIP with five strikeouts over nine innings in nine appearances this season with the Brewers and Rays, though his numbers are inflated by the five runs he allowed to the Pirates over 1.2 innings on April 23.

The Mariners recalled Then from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 23-year-old righty struck out 11 and notched three saves in seven appearances (nine innings) at Double-A prior to getting the call. Then is known for his bat-missing slider, but he will likely work in low-leverage situations during his first career stint in the big leagues.

Murfee was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with elbow inflammation, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Per Divish, the Mariners don't think Murfee's injury is serious and hoped he could avoid an IL stint, but the team decided to take a long-term view with regard to his health. Juan Then was called up from Double-A Arkansas to take Murfee's place in the bullpen.

Dubin has been placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land with a right elbow strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old righty could have been an option for spot starts in the big-league rotation amid recent injuries to Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy if he'd been pitching well and was healthy. However, Dubin had a 6.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 18.2 innings prior to the injury. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 12 innings while working in a low-leverage role. The move clears a roster spot for Saturday's starter J.P. France.

Littell's contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 27-year-old righty had a 3.82 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 106 innings for the Giants from 2021 through 2022, but he'd been working as a Triple-A reliever for the Rangers prior to getting shipped to Boston for cash. Littell should work in low-leverage spots.

Ort was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

He was recalled Friday and didn't get into a game before being sent back to the minors. Zack Littell, who was acquired from Texas, takes Ort's spot in the bullpen.

Winder was optioned Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. He gave up two runs and three hits with one walk and one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning in his only appearance this season with the Twins after he was activated from the injured list April 27.

Winder looked set to begin the season as Minnesota's long reliever but came down with a right shoulder injury during spring training. He didn't pitch well during his first outing in the majors, but this move more likely reflects the Twins wanting to rotate fresh pitchers into the bullpen. He'll likely be called back up to a long relief role again soon.

Alcala was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Alcala was sent to Triple-A on April 21, and he gave up one run in 4.2 innings with six strikeouts and four walks for St. Paul. Alcala had surrendered six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits and five walks through 10 innings of relief. His walk rate was a concern, so his Triple-A stint isn't overly reassuring. He'll return to a middle relief role with the Twins.