MLB Player News

Coulombe allowed two earned runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Astros on Saturday.

Coulombe got out of a two-on, one-out jam in the third before running into trouble to open the fourth. The left-hander surrendered a leadoff single to Brian McCann before surrendering a 380-foot home run to right off the bat of Derek Fisher, which extended the Astros' lead to 7-0 at the time. Coulombe's struggles are unfortunately nothing new, as he'd allowed a combined six runs (five earned) over his last three appearances before being demoted to Triple-A Nashville on April 20.

Alvarado notched his eighth hold in a win over the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing a hit and recording two strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.

The burly southpaw continues to mow through the opposition, with Saturday's outing marking his third straight scoreless effort following a pair of rare hiccups earlier in the month. Alvarado lowered his ERA back under 3.00 with his four-out appearance against Boston, and he's now racked up his eight holds over his last 11 trips to the mound.

The Rays recalled Hu from Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hu will give the Rays some length out of the bullpen with long reliever Matt Andriese set to make a spot start Sunday but expected to be capped at around three or four innings. The 24-year-old Hu has been serving in a starting role at Triple-A this season, posting a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 13 frames. Hu previously made a long-relief appearance for the big club April 16 against the Rangers, surrendering three runs on three hits and a walk over 2.2 innings.

The Rays optioned Yarbrough to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After covering four innings in long relief Saturday, Yarbrough wasn't going to be available for the Rays' planned bullpen game in Sunday's series finale, so the Rays elected to swap the lefty out in favor of a fresh arm in Chih-Wei Hu. Expect Yarbrough to rejoin the Rays when or shortly after he's eligible to return from Triple-A in 10 days. Yarbrough has posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 while striking out 16 batters in 19.1 innings this season.

Ramirez was promoted to the big leagues Sunday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Ramirez will take the place of second baseman Devin Travis, who was struggling at the dish this season (batting .148 over 66 at-bats). The right-handed pitcher is set to come out of the bullpen, where the Blue Jays are already depleted. Ramirez gave up two runs on a hit and two walks across one inning in his last outing against Triple-A Pawtucket, but he'll look for a fresh start on the big-league stage.

Covey was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

As expected, Covey will head back to the minors after making a spot start in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals. The 26-year-old held his own in his 2018 big-league debut, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three across six innings of work. He'll rejoin Triple-A Charlotte's rotation, where he owns a 2.95 ERA (5.15 FIP) through four starts. Covey will remain an option to make a spot start down the line should an opportunity arise.

Mengden (2-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits while walking one and striking out one across 2.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Astros.

Mengden labored through this outing, facing 15 batters and needing 57 pitches. He allowed the first three batters of the game to reach base, and although a big blow never came, the Astros strung together hits and productive outs to derail Mengden's outing. Given his lack of swing-and-miss stuff -- he got only two swinging strikes Saturday and has a 9.1 percent career swinging strike rate -- he will be susceptible to outings like these against good lineups.

Hu was scratched from his scheduled start at Triple-A Durham on Saturday in anticipation of a likely promotion to the Rays on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hu is needed at the big-league level in order to help offset the adverse effects of Yonny Chirinos' brief outing Saturday, which caused manager Kevin Cash to alter his short-term rotation plans. The Rays skipper turned to Ryan Yarbrough, who'd been scheduled to start Sunday's game, and the young right-hander ended up working four innings in Saturday's contest. Matt Andriese is now slated to open Sunday's game, and Hu will serve as an extra arm in what is slated to officially be a "bullpen day." The 24-year-old right-hander has made one appearance at the major-league level this season, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk over 2.2 innings against the Rangers on April 16.

Santiago will start Sunday against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Santiago will step in to make a spot start in place of the injured Miguel Gonzalez (shoulder), who was placed on the disabled list earlier in the week. Chris Volstad started in place of Gonzalez on Tuesday, with Santiago piggybacking off the righty in what was ultimately a bullpen day for the White Sox. Santiago has topped out at 60 pitches this year, so Sunday could be another bullpen day for Chicago, with Volstad an option to piggyback off Santiago. Through seven appearances this season (16 innings), Santiago owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Andriese will serve as the starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Andriese has not pitched since earning his first hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Orioles, clearing the way for him to start for the Rays on their bullpen day Sunday. The 28-year-old has topped out at 50 pitches for Tampa Bay this season as the team likely hopes he can last three innings. The right-hander has a 5.40 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and only two walks across 13.1 innings in 2018.