Poche earned the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over Anaheim, working around a pair of hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

After Pete Fairbanks threw 28 pitches Wednesday, the Rays turned to Poche in the ninth Thursday. The left-hander allowed a pair of base hits but ultimately coaxed a game-ending groundout from Brandon Drury, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's the fifth-straight scoreless outing for Poche after he allowed four runs in his first three appearances this year. While Fairbanks and Jason Adam likely remain ahead of Poche in the ninth-inning pecking order, the 30-year-old southpaw could be in the mix for the occasional save going forward depending on matchups.

Anderson (1-1) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over a scoreless inning, earning the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

Anderson pitched the seventh inning and became the pitcher of record when Salvador Perez put the Royals ahead with a two-run home run in the eighth. It's been feast or famine for Anderson so far -- he has five scoreless outings and two games where he's given up two runs. He's sporting a 3:4 K:BB and a 2.00 WHIP over six innings, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him continue working as a middle reliever most of the time.

The Guardians optioned Parsons to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Parsons was pushed off the big-league roster in order to make room for Pedro Avila, who was acquired from San Diego on Wednesday. Parsons has given up six earned runs in nine innings this season between the Guardians and Blue Jays, and he may return to Cleveland later in the year as a multi-inning relief option.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Sborz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session earlier this week and could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible for activation Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports. "He's doing well," Bochy said. "Sborz is on his way...talking to him, he feels great, his pain is down."

Sborz was placed on the IL on April 7 with a right rotator cuff strain, but his injury doesn't appear to be an overly significant one. Bochy didn't explicitly outline the next steps for Sborz, but if the righty is able to face hitters in a live batting practice session this weekend, he may be able to return from the IL without heading out on a rehab assignment. Prior to being shut down with the injury, Sborz tossed 2.2 scoreless innings across his three relief appearances. He should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning once he's activated.

The Royals returned Veneziano to Triple-A Omaha following Wednesday's doubleheader with the White Sox.

Veneziano wasn't needed out of the bullpen for either game of the twin bill and is still waiting to make his 2024 MLB debut. The 26-year-old lefty has made four appearances (two starts) for Omaha this season, logging a 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in 11 innings.

The Rangers transferred Burke (hand) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jack Leiter, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to start Thursday's game against the Tigers. Burke's timetable for a return won't be affected by the move to the 60-day IL, as he was already expected to be sidelined for extended period after fracturing his right (non-throwing) hand last week.

The Rangers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Anderson has permitted four runs over two innings covering his three relief appearances this season. He's clearing out to make room on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Jack Leiter, who was called up from Triple-A to start Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Swanson (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on three hits in one-third of an inning.

Jordan Romano had pitched Tuesday, Yimi Garcia had worked three of the past four days and Chad Green was unavailable due to shoulder soreness, so Swanson was brought in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth in his 2024 debut. The right-hander gave up a leadoff homer to Giancarlo Stanton followed by two more hits. Swanson would coax a groundout from Oswaldo Cabrera before he was replaced by Tim Mayza, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Swanson pitched to a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 75:12 K:BB across 66.2 innings last season, and while the Blue Jays likely would have preferred not to thrust him into a high-leverage spot so soon after his return from a forearm issue, he would have been in the late-inning mix eventually.

Tampa Bay recalled Lopez from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Lopez has been starting at Durham, posting a 7.59 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings. The Rays need him for relief help, though, as the left-hander will offer them some potential length in the bullpen for Thursday's series finale versus the Angels.

The Rays optioned Kelly to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Tampa Bay will swap Kelly out of its bullpen for a left-handed option, as Jacob Lopez was called up from Durham in a corresponding move. Kelly has made four appearances for the Rays this season, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings.