MLB Player News

Smeltzer was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul following Monday's game against the Rangers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Smeltzer saw just one outing during his latest stint with the big club, allowing one run on five hits while fanning one over three frames Saturday against the Rangers. He was demoted to make room for Tuesday's starter, Aaron Sanchez.

Loaisiga struck out one batter over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Mets on Monday.

Loaisiga needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to retire all four batters he faced in Monday's victory. It was his first save of the season and first opportunity since blowing a save against the White Sox on May 12. Loaisiga is now sporting a 5.76 ERA through 34 appearances on the year. He could be looking at some more action as the closer with Clay Holmes (back) and Scott Effross (shoulder) out; neither Aroldis Chapman nor Lou Trivino pitched in Monday's contest.

Armstrong picked up the save in a perfect inning Monday against the Angels. He struck out one.

Armstrong entered the Rays' saves carousel with his first save of the season Monday, as he retired the Angels in order to end the game. Interestingly, manager Kevin Cash turned to lockdown reliever Jason Adam in the eighth, opening the door for Armstrong to earn the save. The righty is now the 10th reliever to earn a save for Tampa Bay, so it is unlikely that he will provide many more down the stretch as the team tends to move players in and out of ninth inning duties.

Davidson (1-2) took the loss Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 2-1 loss to the Rays. He struck out two.

The southpaw made it through three innings unscathed but ran into trouble in the fourth inning as the Rays scored after recording three hits and a walk, and again in the fifth on a solo shot off the bat of Randy Arozarena. In three starts since being traded to the Angels, Davidson has surrendered 10 runs over 15 innings, but six of those came in his first start. His two strikeouts Monday were indicative of his broader struggles to strike batters out as he owns a K/9 of just 5.0 in 25 innings in the majors this season. He next lines up to face Houston this weekend.

Barlow allowed one hit in a scoreless inning during Monday's win over the White Sox. He struck out one and earned a save.

Jose Abreu punched a leadoff single to begin the ninth inning but Barlow quickly worked through it to finish off the victory. He's now converted 20 of his 23 save chances this season, including all four opportunities this month. The 29-year-old righty lowered his ERA to 2.15 with a 59:15 K:BB through 53 appearances. Barlow has given up just one run across 11 innings in August.

Cordero was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Cordero has put up strong number at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2022, as he owns a 2.08 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 35 strikeouts over 26 innings. However, his campaign will be temporarily paused while on the COVID-19 IL.

Feyereisen (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session this week prior to heading to Triple-A Durham to throw live batting practice, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Feyereisen felt good after throwing a bullpen session Monday, so he's been cleared to throw another before progressing to facing hitters. The right-hander will likely require a rehab assignment at some point, so it seems unlikely that he'll be in the mix to rejoin the Rays until at least September.

Payamps was activated by the Athletics on Monday.

Payamps was claimed off waivers by Oakland on Saturday, and he'll join the major-league roster after Austin Pruitt was designated for assignment Monday. Payamps made 29 relief appearances for the Royals earlier in the season and posted a 3.16 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 42.2 innings.

Pruitt was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Monday.

Pruitt recorded his first save of the season Sunday against the Mariners but will lose his spot on the 40-man roster a day later. He's posted a 4.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 37.2 innings over 27 relief appearances in the majors this year, and it's not yet clear whether he'll remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Effross (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Effross is dealing with a minor strain in his shoulder and is expected to be shut down from throwing for 7-to-10 days, but manager Aaron Boone hopes that the right-hander will be able to return in a few weeks. While it's possible that Effross' shutdown leads him to miss slightly more than the minimum of 15 days, it doesn't sound like the Yankees are anticipating a particularly lengthy absence. He'll be joining Clay Holmes (back) on the shelf, prompting Boone to say that the Yankees will "mix and match" in the ninth inning while they're without two of their top relievers, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Aroldis Chapman and Lou Trivino are likely the leading candidates to pick up saves until Holmes potentially returns from the IL early next week.