MLB Player News

Fairbanks (arm) will make a second rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Thursday, MLB.com reports.

The Rays were uncommitted to Fairbanks' status after he made an initial rehab appearance Tuesday. Assuming Thursday's outing goes according to plan, he may be back with the team as soon as this weekend's series against the Yankees.

Tarnok (hip) struck out one batter and allowed one hit over a scoreless inning in his first rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Tarnok tossed only 10 pitches before his day came to an end, but the light workload could have been part of a pre-planned arrangement as the right-hander slowly ramps his way back up from right hip surgery, which he underwent in late August. The 25-year-old resides on the Athletics' 60-day injured list and won't be eligible for activation until late May, so he'll have plenty of time to build up his innings and pitch counts as he stretches back out for a starting role. Tarnok has two minor-league options remaining, so he could end up sticking around with Las Vegas if Oakland doesn't have an opening for him in the rotation once his 30-day rehab window closes.

Smith (shoulder) began a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Syracuse, giving up one run on one hit over an inning of relief.

Smith served up a solo home run but otherwise navigated a 13-pitch eighth inning without much difficulty. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since April 27 with shoulder inflammation and could need another rehab appearance or two before rejoining the Mets bullpen.

Garcia (back) didn't get used in Wednesday's win over the Phillies but could be available Friday against the Twins, MLB.com reports. "He's feeling better," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after Wednesday's game. "Hopefully he'll be ready to roll on Friday."

The right-hander hasn't pitched since April 28 due to back soreness, but the Jays didn't elect to place him on the IL. Garcia has been the team's most effective reliever this season, posting a 0.68 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB with a win, two saves and four holds in 13 appearances.

Lawrence allowed one hit and one walk across a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Giants.

Lawrence missed three games over the weekend while on the paternity list and made his first appearance since being activated. He entered the game with the Rockies down by four runs and managed to work out of a jam with runners at first and second base with one out. Since allowing six earned runs across his first 4.2 innings of the season, Lawrence has allowed only two runs in his last 8.1 frames and remains the leading candidate for saves in Colorado.

Newcomb (knee) is slated to throw a simulated game Friday at the Athletics' minor-league complex in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

The veteran left-hander has yet to pitch this season due to knee irritation, but he's been in a throwing progression since the latter portion of April and appears set for the next step of his rehab program. If the sim game goes well Friday, Newcomb could soon progress to what will likely be a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, due to how long he's been sidelined.

Miller fired two perfect innings during which he recorded four strikeouts in the first game of a doubleheader against the Rangers on Wednesday.

Miller had last taken the hill May 1, so manager Mark Kotsay opted to give his closer some much-needed work with the Athletics up by five runs. The extended layoff didn't seem to faze Miller in the least, as he located 24 of 32 pitches for strikes in a relatively efficient showing. The hard-throwing right-hander lowered his ERA and WHIP to 1.10 and 0.67, respectively, and with the Athletics much more competitive than expected thus far, Miller's prospects for save opportunities over the long term are brighter than when the season began, despite the recent stretch of inactivity.

Lambert (2-2) took the loss against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out two.

Lambert went 1-2-3 through the first inning before getting lit up for six runs in the second, beginning with a leadoff homer from Michael Conforto. The right-hander would allow another run on a Blake Sabol double in the third and wouldn't return to the mound for the fourth. The seven earned runs marked a season high for Lambert, and he's now allowed at least four runs in three of his last four starts. He's still looking for his first win since April 8 against the Diamondbacks, when he was working out of the bullpen.

Mantiply struck out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning to record his first save of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Reds.

With Paul Sewald unavailable after making his season debut Tuesday and Kevin Ginkel struggling to shut the door in the ninth inning, Mantiply got the call and fanned Will Benson before getting Jonathan India to fly out with the winning run on second base for Cincy. Sewald will be the top option for saves in the Arizona bullpen, but as the team's top lefty reliever, Mantiply could see further situational chances. He's been reasonably effective this season, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 15.1 innings.

Yates gave up a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one in the ninth inning during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the A's, recording his seventh save of the season in a 12-11 win.

It didn't seem like the Rangers would need their closer when they took a 12-7 lead into the final frame, but after Owen White gave up three straight singles to load the bases without getting an out, Yates was pressed into duty. The right-hander wound up allowing all three inherited runners to score, plus one of his own, before finally escaping the jam. It was the first run Yates had given up all season, and he sports a 0.56 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 16 innings without blowing a save.