MLB Player News

Legumina will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Thursday against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Legumina has given up two earned runs across his last two outings, but the Rays will trust him to handle the beginning of Thursday's series finale nonetheless. The 29-year-old was able to record five outs before being pulled during his last opening assignment, and he'll presumably remain in the game Thursday for a similar amount of time before turning the ball over to bulk reliever Ian Seymour.

Baker earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Royals, allowing a run on one hit while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Baker gave up a solo home run to Josh Rojas with one out in the ninth that cut Tampa Bay's lead to two, but the right-hander rebounded to set down the next two Royals and pick up his 20th save this season. The homer marked the first run that Baker has given up in his last 13 innings. He's been excellent overall this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 0.89 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Jax (3-5) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

It was a strong outing for Jax, as he set a season high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has been excellent of late, allowing just two earned runs across 20 innings in his last four starts while posting a 21:4 K:BB. Since moving into Tampa's rotation, Jax has posted a 2.27 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 11 starts (43.2 innings). He's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Royals on the road his next time out.

The Astros optioned VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

VanWey allowed two runs (one earned) over three innings in a pair of relief appearances the last two days, so the Astros are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm. Left-hander Colton Gordon was called up from Sugar Land to take VanWey's spot on the active roster.

Estevez (shoulder) threw a bullpen Sunday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion before suffering a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab assignment May 6. The veteran has steadily progressed in his recovery, and the move to bullpen sessions represents a positive step forward. If the right-hander comes out of Wednesday's session without any issues, he could quickly progress to facing live hitters.

Mears (shoulder) received an injection and began playing catch again Monday, MLB.com reports.

Mears threw a bullpen June 16 and was on the right track in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement, but the 29-year-old came out of the session dealing with the same soreness and pinching feeling that landed him on the shelf in the first place. After receiving an injection in his shoulder, the right-hander is back to throwing and will look to build up in rehab without any further setbacks. Before being placed on the injured list May 29, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Leiter (hip) began a throwing progression Monday, MLB.com reports.

Leiter was placed on the injured list Saturday (retroactive to Thursday) due to a right hip impingement, but he didn't require much down time before resuming throwing. The Athletics are hopeful that the right-hander can return to the big-league club when first eligible July 3. In 29.2 innings this season, Leiter owns a 4.85 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB with four saves.

The Twins recalled Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Funderburk will provide the Twins with another left-handed option out of the bullpen in what will be his third stint of the season with the big club. He's notched six holds and one save while pitching to a 3.44 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10:16 K:BB in 18.1 innings over 21 appearances with Minnesota.

The Twins optioned Rojas to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Minnesota moved Rojas to the minors and designated right-hander Austin Voth for assignment after the two pitchers covered the first six innings of Tuesday's 12-3 loss to the Dodgers. Prior to making the two-inning start for Minnesota, Rojas hadn't pitched for the big club since late May after he had been shelved due to triceps inflammation. The Twins will likely have the young lefty get further stretched out as a member of the rotation at Triple-A.

Rogers gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits in one inning of relief Tuesday to take his third blown save of the season in an extra-innings loss to the Astros.

With Louis Varland getting some rest after throwing 40 pitches while working two of the prior three days, manager John Schneider had to look to other high-leverage options in a close game. Jeff Hoffman got the final two outs in the eighth inning with the score tied 4-4, and after the Blue Jays took a two-run lead in the bottom of that frame, Rogers got the call in the top of the ninth. The veteran right-hander couldn't close the door, giving up back-to-back singles to Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez to begin the inning and watching both eventually come around to score on a catcher's interference call and a sacrifice fly. The earned run was the first on Rogers' ledger since May 25, although he did get tagged for five unearned runs against the Cubs on June 19. On the season, he sports a 1.91 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 37.2 innings with one win, two saves and 17 holds, and he may be due for some rest of his own -- only teammates Mason Fluharty (42 appearances) and Braydon Fisher (40) have appeared in more games this season than Rogers.