MLB Player News

Smeltzer picked up his first career save after surrendering three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over four innings Thursday against Texas. He was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after the game, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Smeltzer emerged with the save in this one, though it wasn't pretty. He yielded two runs in the sixth inning and one in the ninth on the way to a 13-6 win. With Smeltzer headed for Triple-A, the Twins will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's matchup.

Payano (1-2) was given the loss after surrendering eight runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings Thursday against the Twins. He was optioned to Triple-A Nashville following the game, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Payano was tasked with making a spot start Thursday, though he didn't fare well. The 24-year-old gave up five runs in the second inning, one in the third and two in the fourth prior to departing. The Twins have yet to make a corresponding move following Payano's demotion.

Manaea (shoulder) could have a hard time cracking the rotation upon returning to health, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manaea has been on the injured list for the entire season, and even though he's closing in on a return, skipper Bob Melvin noted that if everyone is pitching well, it'll be tough to find a spot for him in the rotation. He has options remaining, so Oakland may elect to send him to Triple-A Las Vegas once activated.

King was promoted to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre on Thursday, Greg Johnson of The Trentonian reports.

King was sidelined for most of the season with a stress reaction in his right elbow but made six appearances for Double-A Trenton since his return. During that time, he carries an ERA of 7.17 with a 15:4 K:BB.

Graterol earned the first save of his career by throwing 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday for Double-A Pensacola.

Graterol reached 102 mph on the radar gun. It was notable that he was moved to relief for a second consecutive appearance. Twins assistant GM Rob Antony noted last week that Graterol could earn a promotion to the majors before the end of August. His move to the bullpen could speed his promotion to the majors.

Maton was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Maton heads to the major-league club after being acquired by the Indians on July 12. In nine appearances with Triple-A Columbus since then, he carries a 17:4 K:BB with a 0.84 WHIP over 10.2 innings pitched. The 26-year-old carries an ERA of 7.77 with a 20:6 K:BB in 24.1 innings pitched for the Padres this season. Left-hander Logan Allen was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move.

Green is in line to serve as the Yankees' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Indians.

The Yankees haven't tabbed a pitcher for primary duties behind Green, but Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes and Chance Adams should all be available to handle at least two innings, if necessary. Green has made 11 turns as an opener this season, posting a 1.80 ERA and 23:5 K:BB across 15 innings in those outings.

VerHagen isn't expected to start this week with Jordan Zimmermann (neck) trending toward a return from the 10-day injured list and likely to rejoin the Detroit rotation Saturday against the Rays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

VerHagen made three turns through the rotation before moving to the bullpen last weekend, when he worked five innings of long relief behind Daniel Norris in a 10-2 loss to the Royals. The Tigers haven't summoned VerHagen in relief since that outing, but unless Zimmermann's condition takes a turn for the worse in the next couple of days, VerHagen will likely stick in the bullpen moving forward. VerHagen's case for re-entering the rotation has been further damaged by Edwin Jackson notching wins in quality showings in both of his first two starts since joining Detroit.

King (elbow) is active and is pitching in the rotation with Double-A Trenton.

He had one blowup outing where he gave up 10 runs in three innings, but he only allowed two runs over 5.2 innings in his most recent outing for the Thunder. King is not on the 40-man roster and only logged six starts at Triple-A last year, so he won't reach the majors until sometime in 2020. He has missed most of this season due to an elbow injury.

Smeltzer won't draw the start for Thursday's game against the Rangers, with the Twins instead planning to activate Michael Pineda (triceps) from the 10-day injured list to take the hill in the series opener.

Smeltzer was brilliant in his first start in place of Pineda on Aug. 4 -- he tossed six scoreless frames in a win over Kansas City -- but was much less sharp in his second turn, giving up six runs on seven hits and three walks in 4.1 innings in an Aug. 9 loss to Cleveland. With Pineda getting the green light to return after completing a throwing session earlier this week without incident, Smeltzer makes for the most logical choice to surrender his rotation spot. According to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News Saint Paul, the Twins plan to demote Randy Dobnak to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move for Pineda, so Smeltzer looks poised to stick around with the big club as a long arm out of the bullpen for the time being.