MLB Player News

The Royals selected Cox's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cox will be making his MLB debut the first time he makes an appearance out of the Kansas City bullpen. The 26-year-old left-hander had posted a 2.21 ERA and 22:11 K:BB through 20.1 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) this season at Omaha.

Cuas was optioned Wednesday to Triple-A Omaha.

Austin Cox will join the Royals' bullpen in a corresponding 26-man roster move. Cuas, 28, allowed two earned runs over 1.1 innings of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles, raising his season ERA to 5.65 over 14.1 total frames.

Tampa Bay designated Burdi for assignment Wednesday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Chase Anderson, whom Tampa Bay acquired in a trade with Cincinnati earlier Wednesday. Burdi didn't allow a run in his two appearances with the Rays before being optioned back to Triple-A Durham last week. He'll stick around at Durham unless another team puts in a waiver claim for him.

The Rays placed Fairbanks (finger) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right forearm inflammation, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Fairbanks didn't come on for a save chance in Tuesday's win over the Pirates and hadn't pitched since Friday due to what the Rays had attributed to finger numbness stemming from Raynaud's Syndrome, but the forearm issue is what will end up forcing him to the shelf. The right-hander had yet to allow a run in eight appearances this season and had emerged as the Rays' primary closer, but Jason Adam looks to be first in line to headline what could be a committee approach to save situations while Fairbanks is on the shelf. If he's able to resume throwing within the next few days, Fairbanks would have a chance at being ready to pitch when first eligible around the middle of the month.

Swanson (1-1) took the loss against the Red Sox on Tuesday, striking out one and allowing a solo home run in the eighth inning.

Connor Wong lofted the fourth pitch Swanson threw over the Green Monster for what proved to be the game-winning run. The long ball snapped an eight-appearance scoreless streak for the right-hander, and overall the former Mariner has been exactly as advertised in a setup role for the Blue Jays, posting a 1.84 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 14.2 innings with eight holds. Should Jordan Romano be unavailable at some point, Swanson seems the most likely candidate to step in and handle ninth-inning duties.

King will soon be available to pitch more frequently and in shorter bursts, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

The Yankees have been careful with King's usage so far this season after a fractured pitching elbow ended his 2022 campaign. However, his arm has bounced back well and he has pitched his way into being one of manager Aaron Boone's most trusted relievers. King picked up a 1.2-inning save Tuesday versus the Guardians and, with Clay Holmes struggling, could be asked to shoulder more of the closing load.

May (personal) was credited with a hold in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sacramento on Tuesday, firing a scoreless sixth inning in which he allowed a hit and issued a walk.

May fired 17 pitches overall while working around some minor trouble. The veteran right-hander, who'd struggled to a 12.00 ERA and 3.17 WHIP across six innings with the Athletics before being placed on the injured list with anxiety-related issues, may be given at least a couple more opportunities to reset himself with the Aviators before being deemed ready to return to the big-league club.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Wednesday that Will Smith rather than Leclerc will see the majority of the team's save opportunities moving forward, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bochy's pronouncement comes after Leclerc was bypassed for the save opportunity in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks in favor of Smith, who recorded the game's final four outs en route to notching his fourth save in as many chances. Leclerc and Smith had opened the season in something of a closing committee, and despite posting a strong 0.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through his first 10 appearances of the season, Leclerc's 18.4 percent walk rate didn't bode well for his chances of avoiding a blowup somewhere down the line. Until Leclerc shows he can throw strikes with more consistency, Smith looks like he'll maintain a firm grip on the closer's gig.

Smith will receive the bulk of the save opportunities for the Rangers moving forward, manager Bruce Bochy told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday.

Smith collected his team-leading fourth save Tuesday in the Rangers' win over the Diamondbacks. He's recorded each of the club's last three saves to emerge as Bochy's clear lead option. Jose Leclerc entered the season seemingly at the top of the pecking order, and while he has a 0.93 ERA, his velocity has been down and he's walked seven in 9.2 innings.

Karinchak (0-4) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in 1.1 innings, taking the loss and a blown save Tuesday versus the Yankees.

Karinchak relieved starter Tanner Bibee with one out in the sixth inning and promptly allowed an inherited runner to score on Anthony Rizzo's single. Willie Calhoun added a one-out solo home run in the seventh, putting the Yankees ahead and saddling Karinchak with his fourth loss in 16 appearances. The right-handed reliever has given up six runs over 7.1 innings in his last seven appearances, and he now has a poor 5.87 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB through 15.1 innings overall. To make matters worse, Karinchak's got a 6.89 FIP and .212 BABIP, which suggests that he's not a victim of bad luck here. He may be at risk of losing a high-leverage role once Sam Hentges (shoulder) is ready to return.