MLB Player News

The Royals selected Way's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Way earned the call-up by collecting a 4.50 ERA and 42:10 K:BB over 30 innings with Omaha. The 26-year-old right-hander will be making his major-league debut if/when he enters a game.

The Royals optioned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Morgan pitched the last two days and three of the last four, so he's being sent out in favor of a fresh bullpen arm. The righty holds a 5.51 ERA and 15:8 K:BB across 16.1 innings during his time with the Royals this season.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Theodore Tollefson of Zone Coverage reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the active roster for Justin Lawrence, who was acquired via trade. Funderburk has managed a 3.44 ERA for the Twins this season, but that's come with an ugly 10:16 K:BB over 18.1 innings.

Jackson has struck out four batters while allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk across 4.1 innings in four appearances for Triple-A Omaha since signing a minor-league contract with the Royals on May 22.

Kansas City is Jackson's second organization of the season, as he previously signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in April before being released in mid-May after posting an 11.57 ERA and 2.14 WHIP over 4.2 innings at Triple-A Syracuse. Jackson hasn't fared much better thus far with the Royals' Triple-A affiliate and doesn't appear likely to be in the mix for a promotion to the big leagues anytime soon.

King is likely to move into a setup role with the Astros in the wake of the expected activation of closer Josh Hader (biceps) from the injured list Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Bryan Abreu was expected to step into the closer role with Hader sidelined to begin the season, but his early struggles opened the door for King, who leads the team with six saves. With Hader coming back to reclaim the ninth inning, King should now slide into a setup role. He's been effective with a 2.84 ERA across 25.1 innings this year, though his 1.30 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB are a bit underwhelming.

Astros manager Joe Espada said on SportsTalk720 in Houston that Hader (biceps) will be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader has been sidelined all season due to left biceps tendinitis, but he's been cleared for activation after posting a 4.15 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment. The lefty averaged only 92.9 mph with his four-seamer during his final rehab appearance, which is down significantly from the 95.5 mph he averaged last season for Houston. It's possible Hader is able to get his velocity back up to par once he pitches in major-league games, but it's something to keep a close eye on as he returns to the Astros' closer role. Houston might give Hader a few low-leverage outings before throwing him back into the ninth inning.

Ragans (elbow) resumed playing catch Monday, MLB.com reports.

Ragans was shut down after not feeling well in the aftermath of his rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on May 23, but he has since resumed throwing. The southpaw landed on the injured list May 8 due to a left elbow impingement and had made good progress in his recovery before the setback. Resuming throwing is a positive first step, though the next stages of his rehab remain unclear, and he's without a timeline for a return from the IL.

Fermin was charged with a blown save against Colorado on Monday after he gave up five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over two-thirds of an inning.

Fermin entered Monday having tossed nine straight scoreless outings spanning 7.2 innings, though he had been playing with fire given his 8:8 K:BB during that span. The right-hander was summoned in the eighth frame Monday and again struggled with his control, throwing only 23 of 39 pitches for strikes and issuing two free passes while also uncorking a wild pitch. However, he wasn't able to maneuver his way around that wildness this time, as the Rockies rocked him for four hits, including two doubles and a three-run homer off the bat of Hunter Goodman. Fermin has worked his way up to a high-leverage role and had notched a hold in three of his previous four appearances coming into Monday, but he'll likely be a shaky option for the team if he's unable to get his walks down.

Jax (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Tigers, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out five.

Jax was trending up since joining Tampa Bay's starting rotation, but Monday's performance was a big step backward. After giving up two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts, the 31-year-old right-hander surrendered a season-worst seven hits (three home runs) and six runs. Jax will take a shaky 4.76 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB over 34 innings into his next scheduled outing over the weekend on the road against the Marlins.

Avila (1-2) earned the win Monday against the Reds after tossing five innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out five.

Avila entered the rotation after Cole Ragans (elbow) suffered a setback in his recovery process that will force him to remain on the 15-day injured list, but the 24-year-old right-hander was up to the task Monday and earned the win despite his command issues. In fact, the lone run he allowed came on a solo homer from JJ Bleday in the bottom of the first inning. It remains to be seen whether Avila will make another start, but if he stays in the rotation, he'd be lined up to go against the Twins on the road over the weekend. Avila has made two starts and 11 appearances this season, posting a 4.44 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 26.1 innings.