MLB Player News

Richards was recalled by the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richards was sent to Triple-A Durham prior to Opening Day after he allowed eight runs in 7.1 innings this spring. Richards has experience as a starter and long reliever in the majors, and he could fill in as a member of the rotation after Chris Archer (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Brasier (calf) has yet to resume baseball activities, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Brasier has been sidelined since suffering a left calf strain in the final week of spring training in late March. Given that Brasier will still need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and simulated games before being activated from the 10-day injured list, he appears unlikely to make his 2021 debut for at least a couple of weeks.

The Blue Jays optioned Payamps to their alternate training site Monday.

Payamps' second stint with the big club of the season lasted just three days. He appeared in long relief during Friday's game against the Angels, striking out three over 2.2 scoreless frames. Payamps will head back to the alternate site to make room on the 26-man roster for Robbie Ray (elbow), who was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Yankees.

Rodriguez (ankle) was expected to join the Rangers at their alternate site Sunday, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Rodriguez, who got a late start to spring training due to the ankle injury, will complete the COVID-19 intake process before competing in exhibition games. He may be able to return to Texas by the end of the week.

Wittgren allowed a run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Wittgren worked the seventh inning and allowed a solo shot to Wilson Ramos that cut Cleveland's lead to 3-2. The 29-year-old Wittgren hasn't been busy yet this season, working 2.2 innings over three appearances. He's allowed four runs on four hits and two walks. The right-hander is part of Cleveland's closer committee, but he's been less effective on the mound than either of Emmanuel Clase or James Karinchak.

Karinchak allowed one walk and struck out three in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Karinchak was effective in his inning of work despite needing 21 pitches. He's yet to allow a run in three innings this season. He's given up one hit and two walks with five strikeouts. The right-hander remains in the late-innings conversation, but he has yet to record a save. Emmanuel Clase has converted two saves and Nick Wittgren has one.

Lopez (0-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings in a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.

Lopez was relatively effective by tossing two scoreless innings to begin Sunday's game, but he allowed back-to-back home runs in the top of the third inning to put him in line for the loss. The right-hander has recorded an 11.42 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in 8.2 innings through his first two starts of the season. He'll attempt to bounce back on the road against the Rangers on Friday.

Pivetta (2-0) allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out seven in six innings to earn the win against the Orioles on Sunday.

Pivetta began Sunday's game by tossing three scoreless frames but faltered slightly in his final three innings. Although the Orioles made a push in the final few innings Sunday, Pivetta picked up his second win in as many starts due to a strong offensive showing by Boston. The right-hander has posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 11 innings to begin the season. Pivetta should make his third start of the year at home against the White Sox on Friday.

Clase notched his second save of the season Sunday against the Tigers. He allowed one hit and one walk while fanning one during a scoreless inning of work.

Clase recorded two saves during the weekend series against the Tigers and has yet to allow a run this season, though this was the first time in four outings he allowed a baserunner. The right-hander didn't rattle despite having runners on first and second with one out, and he closed things out with a double play after inducing Nomar Mazara to ground out. Clase has gone 2-for-2 in save opportunities this season and has started the year on a dominant note.

Robles threw a scoreless inning in Sunday's loss to the Mariners. He's thrown 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and one walk this season.

Robles was mentioned by Rocco Baldelli in spring training as a pitcher who could finish games, but he's been used in the seventh and eighth inning so far this season to set up Alex Colome. It's not a stretch to think he could figure into the closer mix if Colome continues to struggle, but he's not likely to finish games at the moment. At least Robles is showing so far that he may back to his 2019 form (2.48 ERA) after his 2020 struggles (10.26 ERA).