MLB Player News

The Rays activated pitcher Jake McGee (elbow) from the disabled list on Friday and optioned Matt Andriese to Triple-A Durham, per the team's official website. McGee is coming off elbow surgery. He collected 19 saves and registered a 1.89 ERA last season for the Rays.

When asked about McGee's role following Thursday's game against the Yankees, manager Kevin Cash gave a noncommittal response, per the Tampa Bay Times.

"I don't anticipate anybody assuming any role," Cash said.

Brad Boxberger has converted all 10 of his save chances while McGee was sidelined. Cash will monitor McGee's outings before determining who pitches at the back of the bullpen moving forward.

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly didn't factor into the decision on Thursday, allowing one earned run on five hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Coming into the game on a stretch where he allowed five runs or more in four straight starts, Kelly breezed through five innings before surrendering his only run on a sixth-inning groundout, which tied the game and took him out of line for what would have been his first win since his season debut.

Kelly owns a 5.58 ERA and 36:18 K:BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings. He's slated to face the Rangers at home on Wednesday.

Blue Jays reliever Aaron Loup faced four batters and didn't record an out, suffering a blown save and a loss to Houston on Thursday. 

Loup entered in the seventh with a two-run lead. He allowed a single, walk and back-to-back doubles. He allowed four runs, three earned, and saw his ERA increase to 5.93. His record is now 1-2. 

"We believe in Aaron," starter Drew Hutchison said. Loup's struggles cost him a win. "He’ll be out there again next time the situation presents itself."

Rays pitcher Matt Andriese worked overtime for his second save of the season. 

Andriese pitched the final four innings of Thursday's win over the Yankees.  He threw 62 pitches, just six fewer than starter Erasmo Ramirez. 

Andriese allowed one run on four hits, striking out four and not walking a batter. 

Rays pitcher Jake McGee will be activated from the disabled list on Friday, according to a report by TBO.com. 

McGee has been on a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A after an elbow injury landed him on the disabled list. McGee allowed two hits and two walks in four innings at Durham. 

To make room for McGee on the roster, the Rays will option pitcher Matt Andriese to Triple-A. Andriese is 0-1 with two saves and 4.79 ERA this season. 

Athletics pitcher Sean Nolin (hernia) made his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Nashville, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out three in three scoreless innings, per Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

Nolin has pitched six scoreless innings since starting his rehab assignment on May 5.

The Red Sox are intent on keeping Joe Kelly in their starting rotation and trying to further his development, according to WEEI.

The good news is that Kelly hasn't lost any velocity. He has thrown more 98 mph-plus pitches than any other starter in the majors this season. The bad news is that it hasn't translated into success. He owns a 1-2 record and 6.35 ERA heading into his Thursday night start in Seattle.

"Nothing mechanical," John Farrell said in regard to Kelly's struggles. "He's a good athlete that repeats his delivery and yet he yanked a number of pitches down to his glove side the other day in Toronto. It's still about Joe Kelly understanding what makes him most efficient. ... Ultimately it's in those moments in making pitch selections that are based on what's led up to that. Whether it's too many consecutive fastballs, too many consecutive breaking balls - there's a constant mix that needs to stay in play."

The 26-year-old Kelly has claimed that pitching was easier in St. Louis with defensive stalwart Yadier Molina calling all his offerings. It's not the same throwing to Red Sox rookie Blake Swihart.

"Yadier just threw out a sign and I threw it," Kelly said. "It was great. But now I'm actually better at reading games, knowing situations, I do my own scouting and I do my own video. I did a little bit of it in St. Louis, but it's more of me trying to read and watch. My stats don't show, but I feel like I'm better at it."

There has been talk of moving Kelly to the bullpen, but the former college closer has stressed that he prefers starting.

White Sox pitcher David Robertson earned his seventh save of the season during Wednesday night's 4-2 win over the Brewers. 

Robertson allowed one earned run, which came off of a homer from Carlos Gomez. He walked one batter and struck out two. After giving up his second earned run of the season, Robertson now has a 1.20 ERA this season. 

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago didn't factor into the decision on Wednesday, allowing just one earned run on seven hits in six innings while striking out eight and walking none in his team's 2-1, 11-inning win over the Rockies.

Santiago has allowed no more than one earned run in three of his last four outings but has no wins to show for it. He had issued 12 walks in his last three starts coming into Wednesday's game before conquering his control issues in the no-decision.

Santiago owns a 2.41 ERA and 39:18 K:BB ratio in 41 innings. He's scheduled to square off with the Blue Jays in Toronto on Tuesday.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore was unhappy with a lack of crispness in his pitches during a simulated game Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

"I just felt a little bit out of whack," Moore said.

Moore is slated to face hitters Monday before potentially beginning a rehab assignment on May 23. He hopes to make his return from Tommy John surgery in mid-to-late June.