MLB Player News

Yarbrough will be available in relief for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Thanks to an off-day Thursday, the Rays don't have a need for Yarbrough to serve as a primary pitcher this week. As a result, Yarbrough likely won't be needed to cover as many innings in relief as he normally would once starter Blake Snell (toe) exits Wednesday's contest. Though Snell may have his workload monitored more carefully than normal in his returns from the injured list, manager Kevin Cash indicated the ace won't be subject to a strict pitch limit during the outing.

The Twins optioned Duffey to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Duffey was unlikely to be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Astros after he worked 1.1 innings in relief Tuesday and gave up four unearned runs on two hits and a walk. As a result, the Twins will swap him off the roster in exchange for a fresher bullpen arm in Fernando Romero.

The Rays optioned Pruitt to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Pruitt's demotion clears a spot on the active roster for Blake Snell (toe), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Royals. The 29-year-old worked in relief in Tuesday's 5-2 win, covering 1.2 frames and giving up two runs on three hits.

Swanson (0-2) took the loss Tuesday, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits over 5.2 innings while striking out three as the Mariners fell 6-3 in San Diego.

Franmil Reyes was the his nemesis in this one, taking Swanson deep in the second and sixth innings. The right-hander has served up three homers in 11.2 frames over his first two MLB starts, leading to a 4.61 ERA, but his 8:0 K:BB is encouraging. Swanson will next take the mound Sunday, at home against the Rangers.

Thornton (0-3) took the loss against the Giants on Tuesday by allowing four runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out five and did not issue a walk.

Thornton gave up nine runs in 7.2 innings over his previous two starts, so getting through five innings Tuesday may be a small step in the right direction. The 25-year-old has a 5.79 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB across 23.1 innings thus far in his rookie campaign, and lines up to pitch Sunday versus the Athletics.

Pagan didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two in the ninth inning to earn the save Tuesday against the Royals.

Pagan notched his second save in as many days for the Rays and has appeared comfortable in the role, allowing no baserunners across his two innings of work. He maintained a three-run lead on each occasion, and with both Jose Alvardo and Diego Castillo shouldering heavy early-season workloads, it's likely that manager Kevin Cash just opted for Pagan in relatively low-leverage save situations instead of forcing the issue with his two top arms. Still, this is turning into a closing situation to monitor.

Beeks (1-0) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven across 4.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Royals.

Beeks followed opener Ryne Stanek into the game and maintained a four-run cushion to secure his first win of the season. He took advantage of a relatively weak Royals lineup by working in the strike zone a lot, racking up 17 called strikes. It was a good bounce-back showing for Beeks, and he's now struck out 20 batters in 19 innings of work for the season.

Mejia was placed on the 7-day injured list with an abdominal strain Tuesday.

Mejia has a 2.25 ERA and a 21:4 K:BB through three starts for High-A Lynchburg. It's not clear how much time he's expected to miss.

Fernandez was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Fernandez will add bullpen depth for Detroit following the loss of Blaine Hardy (forearm) to the 10-day injured list. Fernandez has compiled a 2.89 ERA with eight strikeouts over 9.1 innings this season for the Mud Hens.

Abreu has been promoted from High-A Fayetteville to Double-A Corpus Christi, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Abreu put up solid numbers for Fayetteville, posting 25 strikeouts in 14.2 innings. The 22-year-old will likely spend the majority of the summer in Double-A.