MLB Player News

Jimenez worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

Jimenez got into a little hot water, but he struck out Kansas City slugger Jorge Soler with runners on the corners to end the game. The righty's 4.88 ERA and 1.37 WHIP are nothing special, though he should remain locked into the closer's role for the rest of this year with the team lacking much in the way of proven relievers.

Pressly (knee) is scheduled to throw off a mound Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Pressly has been sidelined since undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery in August, but he's been playing catch lately and is finally ready to resume mound work. Barring setbacks, the right-hander is hoping to return from the injured list sometime during the second half of September.

Alvarado (elbow) was shifted to the 60-day injured list Thursday, which likely ends his season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This move frees up a roster spot for Kean Wong, who was promoted from Triple-A Durham on Thursday. Per Topkin, manager Kevin Cash said Alvarado hasn't suffered any setbacks, but his elbow apparently hasn't responded well to rest and there simply isn't enough time for the southpaw to return before the end of the season, barring the Rays making the World Series.

Manaea is scheduled to start Sunday against the Tigers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manaea looked good in his 2019 big-league debut last Sunday, holding the Yankees to one hit and three walks over five scoreless innings. The strong showing earned the southpaw another turn in what is expected to be a six-man rotation for the next couple of weeks.

Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Stewart has made three appearances for the Blue Jays since being claimed off waivers at the end of July, posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 14.1 innings in those outings. He'll likely fill a long-relief role for the stretch run, while he could also make an appearance or two as a primary pitcher.

Shafer was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Shafer has made 26 appearances for the Blue Jays this season, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 29:22 K:BB across 31 innings. The right-hander figures to fill a middle-relief role for the rest of the season.

Richards could make either a conventional start or work as a primary pitcher Sunday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richards was effective in the first game of a doubleheader against the Orioles on Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. The right-hander has worked as both conventional starter and primary pitcher since arriving via trade from the Marlins, and it remains to be seen how he'd be deployed if he does take the hill Sunday.

Puk, who is fully healthy, hasn't logged an appearance since Aug. 26 due to manager Bob Melvin wanting to remain selective about when to utilize him, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I talked to him about that today," Melvin said. "We'll get him in the right spot and get him rolling. It was a lot to throw at him. We'll try to find a good spot."

Puk was put right to work upon his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 20, making three appearances between Aug. 21 and Aug. 26. Puk was serviceable in that trio of outings, allowing an earned run on two hits and three walks over 2.1 innings while recording two strikeouts. His most recent turn, against the Royals, was his first of the multi-inning variety, and the Athletics originally wanted to allow him a few days' rest as a result. However, with nine days and counting now having elapsed between trips to the mound, it's clear that Melvin is interested in protecting Puk to an extent in his first go-around against big-league bats.

Manaea will get another start at some point over the next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw was highly effective during his first big-league start of 2019 last Sunday, holding the Yankees to one hit and three walks over five scoreless innings. Manaea's strong showing earned him another turn in what is essentially a six-man rotation for the Athletics at the moment, with manager Bob Melvin stating an announcement on how he'll utilize his starting pitchers in coming days is imminent.

Rangers manager Chris Woodward is considering limiting Burke's pitch count in his next scheduled start Friday against Baltimore due to a three-day bout with a stomach virus, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Burke, who began his major-league career with three straight starts of six innings and no more than two runs allowed, said he's lost six or seven pounds while coping with the virus. He was able to throw a bullpen Wednesday. "He feels better today, but not great.... If we pitch him and he's iffy, weak, then we'll limit the number of pitches or number of innings he throws," Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.