MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he plans on using Andriese, who will start Wednesday against the Marlins, for about two innings before turning the game over to the bullpen, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays were able to get by without Andriese in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Marlins in 16 innings, during which Tampa Bay used eight relievers. However, because Andriese was called upon for two innings of relief Monday, he'll likely face any even stricter pitch count Wednesday than he normally does when working as an "opener" for games. Cash said that once Andriese departs, Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Weber will cover the bulk of the innings in long relief.

Weber had his contract selected from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Weber will join the 40-man roster and provide another arm that can take the mound as a starter or long reliever. Over the course of 16 appearances -- nine starts -- with Triple-A Durham this year, he's logged a 2.23 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 68.2 innings. In order to make room on the roster, Wilmer Font (lat) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Kittredge was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Kittredge will add extra depth to the Rays' bullpen while providing the ability to "open" a game for the club should it be required. He's appeared in 13 contests in the big leagues in 2018, posting an unsightly 9.72 ERA and 1.98 WHIP across 16.2 innings.

Pruitt was sent down to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Pruitt will return to the minor-league level after tossing two innings during Tuesday's game. In order to replenish their bullpen, the Rays recalled Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Weber while also placing Vidal Nuno on the DL (hamstring). Look for Pruitt to be back in the majors in the near future.

Yarbrough allowed two runs on four hits and one walk across three innings Tuesday in a no-decision against the Marlins. He struck out three.

Yarbrough ran into a bit of trouble in the second inning, loading the bases with an intentional walk before opposing pitcher Trevor Richards laced a two-run single to center. He escaped the jam and breezed through the third inning with relative ease, but he didn't come back out for the fourth despite tossing 6.1 innings in his previous outing. Yarbrough's workload remains unpredictable from game to game due to the unconventional nature of the Rays' pitching philosophy. He should be expected to get the ball again during next week's series with the Tigers.

Alvarado allowed one walk and retired the final two batters of the game to earn his third save of the season Tuesday against the Marlins.

Alvarado came on with two men on and one out, allowing a run to score on a fielder's choice for the first out. He then walked pitcher Dan Straily before getting a groundball out to end the game. The Rays used eight total pitchers in the 16-inning affair, including Sergio Romo, who worked the 10th and 11th innings.

Diaz struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Angels on Tuesday to earn his 33rd save of the season.

The 24-year-old is now 33-for-36 in save chances -- Diaz has eight more saves than anyone else in baseball -- and he's allowed just three runs since the end of May. It's not out of the question that Diaz could become just the second pitcher ever to reach 60 saves in a season.

Chapman secured his 24th save of the season against the Braves on Tuesday by recording two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

Chapman continued his stellar 2018 season and took only 14 pitches (10 strikes) to set down the Braves in order. The 30-year-old has converted 24-of-25 save chances with a 1.43 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 65 strikeouts over 37.2 innings.

Johnson allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings during Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

The Nationals had plenty of traffic on the bases and Johnson exited an out short of qualifying for the win. The 27-year-old could see another turn in the Red Sox's starting rotation with Steven Wright (knee) and Drew Pomeranz (biceps) still on the disabled list, with his next start likely to come Monday against the Rangers.

Andriese will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Juan Toribio of The Athletic Tampa Bay reports.

He has not gone more than 3.2 innings in any of his 22 appearances this season, so there's almost no chance he gets a win in this start. The Rays will go heavy with their bullpen Wednesday, as they have an off day Thursday and staff ace Blake Snell starts Friday in New York against the Mets.