MLB Player News

Yacabonis (illness) will not start Sunday against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The illness, believed to be strep throat, will prevent Yacabonis from making what would have been his fifth appearance and third start for the major-league team this season. Chris Tillman (back) is an option to replace Yacabonis, but the Orioles would reportedly prefer to have Tillman make a rehab start in the minors, so they could end up just going with a bullpen game in the first-half finale.

Stanek will likely be used as Sunday's starter depending on how Saturday's matchup against Minnesota unfolds, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Stanek has started on 11 different occasions this season and has been effective in that role, though he rarely lasts more than two innings. Over 27 appearances this season, he sports a solid 1.93 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 41 strikeouts in 32.2 innings.

Rowley was called up by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

With no need for a fifth starter until July 24, the Blue Jays decided to send Ryan Borucki packing and bring up a fresh arm in Rowley to help in relief. Rowley has had a decent enough season in terms of results at Triple-A Buffalo, but his 58:41 K:BB in 94 innings with the top affiliate suggests he will have a tough time sticking in the majors.

Borucki was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

This was a procedural move; the Blue Jays won't need a fifth starter until July 24. They decided to bring up some extra relief help in the meantime. Borucki is expected to return for that July 24 start against Minnesota. He's allowed nine earned runs while posting a 21:10 K:BB in 23 innings with the major-league team so far.

Scott was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

He threw two innings in Friday's game and would have been unavailable through the break, so the Red Sox swapped him out for a fresh arm in Bobby Poyner. Scott had a stellar first half with Pawtucket (1.15 ERA, 48:10 K:BB in 31.1 innings) and will likely be afforded more chances with the big club in the second half.

Borucki surrendered seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and four walks while fanning five across three innings, although he didn't factor into the decision Friday versus the Red Sox.

Borucki certainly didn't have his best stuff early on, allowing one run in the first followed by five in the second, although the Blue Jays would rally to get him off the hook. Prior to Friday's start, Borucki had turned in solid outings over his first three starts of the season (five runs allowed through 20 innings) so he'll look to get back on track in his first start after the All-Star break.

Yacabonis is potentially dealing with strep throat, making it unclear if he'll be called up for Sunday's spot start against Texas, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Yacabonis was looking like the favorite to make a spot start, but it's uncertain if he'll be ready to pitch over the weekend. If he's unable to go, there's a good chance Chris Tillman (back) could be reinstated from the disabled list to get the nod. More information on Yacabonis' status should be revealed as Sunday's matchup approaches.

Merritt (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day DL and designated for assignment prior to Friday's game, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Indians were forced to make a decision on Merritt's roster spot as the left-hander's rehab assignment came to an end. Manager Terry Francona said the decision was effectively made for the team due to a decrease in velocity by Merritt over the past couple weeks while in the minors. He will now be subject to the waiver wire after being designated for assignment.

Rumbelow was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

The Mariners will replenish their bullpen after Rumbelow allowed four earned runs on four hits -- including two home runs -- and one hit batsman during Thursday's series finale against the Angels. Across 10.1 innings of work with the big-league club this season, he's posted an unsightly 7.84 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.

Lawrence was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lawrence has a couple brief stints with the Mariners this season, and has allowed nine runs on eight hits over 10 innings. The 30-year-old has found more success for the Rainiers -- 2.81 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 11 starts -- and seems likely to be used in low-leverage or long-relief situations out of the Mariners' bullpen.