MLB Player News

Diaz worked around a hit with a pair of strikeouts to record his second save of the season Friday against the Rangers.

Diaz entered a one-run game and whiffed the first two batters he faced before allowing a single to Elvis Andrus. Andrus advanced to third after a wild pitch bounced off the plate and went all the way to the backstop, but Diaz then induced a weak grounder to end the game. The flamethrower allowed three runs in a meltdown that resulted in a blown save the last time out, but this was a strong bounce-back performance.

Norris (1-0) pitched six scoreless innings Friday, allowing two hits and issuing four walks while striking out five in a win over the Indians.

The left-hander struggled with his command for a second straight start, yet walked away unscathed and with his first victory of the season. Norris threw just 53 percent of his pitches for strikes, but it may have worked a bit to his advantage as the Tribe couldn't make solid contact throughout the evening. Norris will look to build off this one and improve his control when he takes the ball Thursday against the Rays.

Zych (biceps) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday.

The 26-year-old underwent surgery on his biceps back in October, but after a long and arduous process, Zych is ready to return to action. It's a little surprising that he'll head to Seattle, as prior reports stated that he'd likely begin the season in the minors, but he'll likely play a relatively small role in the big leagues nonetheless. To make room for him in the Mariners bullpen, Dillon Overton was sent back to Triple-A Tacoma.

Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Armstrong has been fairly solid outside of a five-run implosion April 8, but with the Indians wanting to give Nick Goody some time in the major-league bullpen, he ultimately was the odd man out. Armstrong could find his way back to Cleveland pretty soon if anyone else in the big leagues falters.

Burdi has thrown 3.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks in three appearances for Double-A Chattanooga. His his fastball sat around 95-97 mph in his appearance Wednesday, according to ESPN 1550 am Twin Cities.

The 2014 second-round draft pick was limited to just three relief appearances last season with Chattanooga due to a bruised humerus. He looks healthy and could advance quickly with the Twins in need of high-powered relief arms.

Smith was placed on the 7-day DL for Triple-A Buffalo with an elbow ailment, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The injury is a huge setback at the worst time for Smith. The right-hander had a successful year in 2016 at Double-A New Hampshire where he posted a 1.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 57 innings. He was a candidate to make the Opening Day roster as a reliever and appeared destined to make his MLB debut at some point this year. Unfortunately for Smith, those plans appear to be on hold until further notice.

Coulombe fired a scoreless inning in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Royals, issuing one walk.

The lefty has been reasonably effective over three appearances yet hasn't been very efficient, as he's thrown a total of 92 pitches over just four innings. It took him 22 to get through his one frame Thursday, but to his credit, he's turned in scoreless efforts in two of the aforementioned three trips to the mound. As one of only two southpaws in the A's bullpen at the moment, Coulombe figures to see a solid workload throughout the course of the season.

Farquhar fired a scoreless inning in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees, issuing two walks and uncorking a wild pitch but also recording two strikeouts.

The veteran reliever has now turned in scoreless appearances in four of his first five trips to the mound this season. He made it interesting Thursday, however, walking Starlin Castro to open the eighth and advancing him to second on an errant pitch. Farquhar then bore down to get Chase Headley and Greg Bird swinging before picking Aaron Judge off first after intentionally walking him. Farquhar has been a trusted late-inning option for manager Kevin Cash thus far, and with Brad Boxberger (back) now on the 60-day disabled list he should remain a viable setup option behind closer Alex Colome for the time being.

The Rays moved Boxberger (back) to the 60-day disabled list Friday.

The right-hander needs more time to work through his rehab program. Boxberger will be an option to return to the club in June and make a case to regain his former role as the top setup man.

Andriese allowed just a single run on five hits and three walks through six innings but came away with a no-decision during Thursday's loss to the Yankees. He struck out five batters.

The Blue Jays beat around Andriese to the tune of five runs -- four earned -- over just four innings during his season debut, so this was a nice bounce-back outing. Still, Andriese boasts an underwhelming 4.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 through 29 career starts, so he's off the fantasy radar in the majority of settings.