MLB Player News

The Red Sox will option Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The decision to send Kelly down to the minors comes shortly after he allowed three earned runs on a hit and two walks without recording an out in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. The 29-year-old righty owns a 3.97 ERA through 56.2 big-league innings on the year and could still return to Boston to help the Sox get through the final weeks of the regular season.

Fitts allowed two hits and three walks over five shutout innings in a no-decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. He struck out two.

After making his MLB debut this past Sunday against the White Sox, Fitts was needed to make a second turn through the rotation after Tanner Houck (shoulder) was scratched from his scheduled start Friday. Fitts walked three straight batters in the first inning but escaped the threat. Only one other Yankee would reach scoring position against him. Fitts has not allowed an earned run through 10.2 innings to begin his MLB career, but whether or not he gets another turn in the rotation may depend on Houck's status.

Ortiz (6-6) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Ortiz and the Pirates fell into a deep hole early after Kansas City put up a six spot in the second inning. The 25-year-old Ortiz has now allowed 11 runs (seven earned) across 9.2 innings in his last two starts. His ERA sits at 3.45 on the year with a 1.13 WHIP and 95:39 K:BB across 122.2 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week on the road in St. Louis.

Weaver allowed one hit over two scoreless innings Friday. He struck out five and earned a save against the Red Sox.

Weaver gave up a single in the eighth inning but had little trouble closing out the 5-4 victory. He allowed two runs in a Sep. 2 appearance but has since struck out 12 over 5.2 scoreless frames while earning a win, two saves and a hold during that span. Weaver now owns a 3.09 ERA with a 91:25 K:BB over 78.2 innings. With Clay Holmes seemingly out of the ninth-inning picture, Weaver should be expected to see more save opportunities down the stretch.

Alexander is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Drew Rasmussen on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Many of Alexander's appearances have come as a bulk reliever this season, though it hasn't necessarily benefited his performance, as he owns a career-worst 5.50 ERA through 93.1 innings. He turned in a solid outing during his last appearance against the Phillies on Monday (one earned run over 4.1 innings), but he's too inconsistent to be considered a reliable streaming option.

Rasmussen will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Saturday's game versus the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rasmussen has put up a 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 19.1 innings this season. He'll likely be asked to work the first one or two innings of Saturday's contest before turning the game over to Tyler Alexander, who is expected to work in bulk relief.

Finnegan allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Marlins on Friday.

Finnegan worked around a two-out single by Jesus Sanchez to finish off the 4-1 victory. It was Finnegan's 37th save of the year and his first since recording two during a Sept. 7 doubleheader against the Pirates. He owns a 3.36 ERA with a 56:20 K:BB through 59 innings. Finnegan has converted 14 of his last 15 save chances despite registering a 4.79 ERA during that span (21 appearances).

Holton earned the save in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Orioles, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Holton let a combined no-hitter slip through his fingers when he allowed a two-out triple to Gunnar Henderson. However, the left-hander rebounded to strike out Anthony Santander, stranding the tying run at third to earn his eighth save this season. The 28-year-old Holton has been excellent of late, allowing just one run while striking out 16 in his last 15 appearances (20.1 innings). His ERA is down to 2.21 through 85.2 innings with a 0.79 WHIP and 67:14 K:BB.

Fulmer (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Friday marks the first time Fulmer has thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list in late August due to right elbow inflammation. It's still unclear if the right-hander will be able to pitch again before the end of the season, though the Angels likely won't be in any rush to insert him back into their rotation given the fact they have already been eliminated from playoff contention, and the 30-year-old journeyman likely isn't in their future plans.

The Rangers optioned White to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

White made one appearance after coming up from the minors last week, during which he allowed two earned runs on three hits over two innings without recording a strikeout. He'll now be sent back to Triple-A in order to make room on the active roster for Jacob deGrom (elbow), who returned from the 60-day IL to start Friday's contest.