MLB Player News

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lopez was terrific during his short stint with the Rays, allowing just one run over seven relief innings. He was needed for three frames in Wednesday's win, though, so Tampa Bay is swapping him out for a fresh arm.

Fairbanks (2-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Rockies, striking out two in a perfect 10th inning.

The Rays erased a two-run deficit in the ninth, and after Fairbanks shut down the Rox in the top of the 10th, he got rewarded when Brandon Lowe walked it off with an RBI single. Both of Fairbanks' wins on the season have come in his last two outings, and he hasn't blown a save chance since mid-May -- delivering a 2.78 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB over 22.2 innings while converting 12 straight opportunities.

Curry pitched two innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out one batter in a game that was suspended due to rain.

Curry endured a rough first inning during which he gave up three runs on four hits. The right-hander bounced back with a one-hit, scoreless second frame but wasn't able to go any further since the game was suspended due to rain before a pitch was thrown in the third. Curry won't be available when the game is resumed Thursday.

Winckowski allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out two without walking a batter to earn the save in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Winckowski struggled a bit in the 10th inning, but he ultimately limited the damage to a Yainer Diaz RBI single. Kenley Jansen (hamstring) exited the game in the ninth inning after retiring one batter, while top setup men Chris Martin and Garrett Whitlock had pitched earlier in the contest. Winckowski has filled a versatile relief role this year, tallying three saves, 15 holds and four blown saves while posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 63:20 K:BB over 67.2 innings. The right-hander could see more high-leverage opportunities if Jansen is out for any extended length of time.

Jansen was taken out of Wednesday's game against the Astros due to tightness in his right hamstring, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

After displaying some discomfort on the mound during the ninth inning, Jansen was taken out of the game and is now confirmed to be dealing with a hamstring issue. The severity of Jansen's injury remains unknown, but Boston could refrain from using him out of the bullpen for the next few days at the very least.

Jansen was pulled from Wednesday's game against Houston with an apparent injury, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Jansen appeared uncomfortable on the mound after getting Jon Singleton to pop out in the ninth inning and was immediately removed by a trainer. The Red Sox will take a look at him and provide more details on what is bothering Jansen, but for now the 35-year-old closer should be considered day-to-day.

Norris signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Wednesday.

Three days after electing free agency upon being DFA'd by Cleveland, Norris will return to the Guardians organization as minor-league depth. The 30-year-old lefty turned in decent results during his time in the majors this season with a 3.38 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 10.2 frames. However, Norris will need to improve upon his 5.60 ERA in Triple-A before he has any chance at being selected back onto the active roster.

King will serve as the Yankees' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against Washington, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

King allowed two runs in two innings during his last outing as an opener on Aug. 12 against Miami. He'll presumably stay in Thursday's contest for 2-to-3 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen, with Jhony Brito being the most likely candidate to work in bulk relief.

Hernandez picked up the save in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Oakland, striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings.

Hernandez was able to strand the bases loaded after coming on with one out in the eighth inning before closing out the A's in the ninth to earn his third save. The 26-year-old Hernandez has now converted his last two save chances after allowing three runs in his previous two appearances (1.1 innings). He now sports a 4.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB across 61 innings this season. Hernandez should see the majority of closing chances going forward in Kansas City, though the left-handed Austin Cox could see opportunities as well, depending on matchups.

Green (elbow/head) could make back-to-back rehab appearances this weekend with Triple-A Buffalo, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Green had to pause his rehab assignment between Aug. 8 and Aug. 16 after getting hit in the head by a catcher's throw to second base, but he is again on the verge of making his Blue Jays debut. It sounds like the team is discussing whether to activate him early next week or wait until major-league rosters expand Sept. 1. The 32-year-old reliever is more than 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery.