MLB Player News

Hu will become a full-time reliever upon his return to Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hu has made two appearances out of the Rays bullpen this year, but he had been used exclusively as a starter in the minors. The Rays obviously liked what they saw of him in the bullpen, and with their starting rotation fairly set in stone, the club has decided to make the switch. That's unfortunate news for anybody who was holding Hu in a keeper league hoping he could start, but the Rays bullpen isn't particularly deep, so it's possible he could work his way into the closer's role if he plays well in his new job.

Chapman pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out two to earn the save Friday against the Cubs.

Chapman had no problem shutting down his former team while protecting a one-run lead at Wrigley Field. He's been perfect in seven save opportunities, and he remains one of the top closing options in the league.

Valdez was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Valdez was designated for assignment earlier in the week after allowing 10 earned runs through 9.1 major-league innings this season. He'll likely stick around in Buffalo, given his career 8.28 ERA over 29.1 innings in the majors.

Hu was optioned back to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hu was sent back to Durham after just one day with the big club, with the Rays calling up southpaw Justin Marks to take his roster spot. The 23-year-old made one appearance during his brief stint, allowing one (unearned) run while striking out one and walking one in two-thirds of an inning. He'll remain a top option to return to the Rays should they need an extra bullpen arm in the future.

Colome notched his eighth save of the season in Thursday's 5-1 victory over the Marlins, striking out the only batter he faced to close out the game.

The ninth inning began as a non-save situation with the Rays up by a 5-0 margin, but Colome was called upon with two out, two on and one run in. The Rays closer disposed of the capable Martin Prado on five pitches, the final one a swinging strike, to seal the win. After a pair of rough outings in late April tarnished his once-unblemished ERA, Colome has responded with 2.2 scoreless frames, four strikeouts and three saves in as many chances over his subsequent appearances.

Andriese (2-1) struck out eight over seven scoreless innings in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Marlins, giving up five hits and three walks.

Outside of his spotty control, Andriese was brilliant, notching 14 swinging strikes on the night and neutralizing a Marlins offense that had popped off for 10 runs the night prior. His trouble finding the strike zone may have cost him a complete game, as he was pulled after seven frames having thrown a season-high 113 pitches. Nevertheless, that makes two consecutive seven-inning quality starts for the 27-year-old right-hander, who'll look to keep the momentum going versus the struggling Royals in a home start next Tuesday.

Chavez will start for the Angels on Friday against the Astros, Richard Dean of MLB.com reports.

The Halos have shuffled their rotation a bit with Tyler Skaggs (oblique) on the disabled list and Alex Meyer joining the fray. Chavez will host the dangerous Houston lineup and may not have Mike Trout (hamstring) patrolling the outfield. It's not the best opportunity to stream Chavez.

Almonte had his contract purchased and will join the Royals for Friday's contest against the Indians, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Almonte was brought up in a corresponding move after the Royals placed starter Ian Kennedy (hamstring) on the 10-day DL. Outside of nine games with the Royals in 2015, the team's No. 19 prospect has spent his entire professional career in the minors. Almonte owns a 2.16 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through five games (four starts) and 25 innings with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He'll need to really impress the coaches if he wants to stick around past Kennedy's DL stint.

Harvey will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday as he progresses in his recovery from last July's Tommy John surgery, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Manager Buck Showalter is encouraged by where Harvey is in the rehab process. "It will be good to get him back out there," the skipper said. "We had hoped he'd make it back by June, so he's right on schedule." Harvey hopes to log some innings late this year, but the organization will most certainly be monitoring his workload carefully. The right-hander remains years away from a possible MLB debut, but Harvey is worth a spot in franchise leagues that have minor-league designations.

Pressly gave up two runs on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's loss to Oakland.

Pressley's April struggles have continued into May as his ERA rose to 9.31. He does have an 11:3 K:BB, 10.2 K/9 and an average fastball velocity of 95.8 MPH (which would be a career high), so there are signs he can turn his season around.