MLB Player News

Fleming will follow opener Calvin Faucher during Saturday's game in Toronto, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Fleming has followed an opener once in two appearances this year, and it's something he has plenty of experience with over the past few seasons. The 26-year-old southpaw has better underlying metrics (54.2 GB%, 18.8 K-BB%) than surface stats (6.43 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) in this small sample. If Faucher can deliver a scoreless appearance, this arrangement would give Fleming a better chance of qualifying for the win.

Faucher will be the Rays' opener Saturday against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Josh Fleming will come in after an inning or two to work as the primary pitcher. Faucher, a 27-year-old righty, has given up three earned runs on seven hits, one walk and two home runs in six innings this season. This will be his first turn working as an opener in 27.1 MLB innings dating back to last season.

Oller was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

After surrendering seven runs over 2.1 innings Thursday against Baltimore, Oller earned himself a trip back to the minors. The 28-year-old righty posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 31.2 innings across seven Triple-A starts last season, and he could find himself bouncing frequently between the minors and the majors in 2023 as the Oakland bullpen needs fresh arms.

Harris was recalled by the Athletics on Friday.

The 26-year-old lefty has yet to appear in a big-league game. Harris has made 10 starts in Triple-A since 2022 and holds a 6.34 ERA and 1.84 WHIP across 32.2 innings in that time. Adam Oller was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move, so Harris will most likely take Oller's spot in the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever.

Sborz was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Rangers on Friday.

Sborz got a late start to the season due to a sprained ankle, but he's ready to go now. The right-hander will fill a middle-relief role with the Rangers.

Brieske (arm) is slated to throw a bullpen session by the middle of next week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Brieske played catch Thursday for the first time since undergoing a hydrodissection procedure to treat a nerve issue in his right arm and will progress to mound work in a few days. There's no timetable yet for his return.

Foster was transferred to the 60-day injured list by the White Sox on Friday with a right flexor strain.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster and ensures that Foster won't make it back until at least late May. It's not clear whether the reliever is in the midst of a throwing program or remains shut down.

Weissert was recalled by the Yankees on Friday.

Weissert appeared in 12 games for the Yankees last season, surrendering seven earned runs across 11.1 innings out of the bullpen. He's gotten off to a much better start this year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (1.69 ERA, 0.39 WHIP, 5.1 IP) and will look to provide New York's bullpen with some reinforcements. Colten Brewer was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Bristo was optioned to Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Bristo picked up a three-inning save in his major-league debut Thursday versus the Red Sox, not yielding a hit and fanning four along the way. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't going to be available for a few days after throwing 42 pitches, hence the demotion. Bristo put himself in a good spot to earn another look down the line, though.

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Sands has appeared in two games with the Twins so far in 2023, surrendering one run on six hits, including a homer, while striking out three batters over four innings. It seems likely that the 25-year-old will get another shot with Minnesota at some point this season, but for now Louie Varland was called up from Triple-A and will replace him on the major-league roster.