MLB Player News

Fleming is in line to work as a bulk reliever behind opener Trevor Kelley in Friday's game against the Yankees in New York, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Since re-entering the Tampa Bay rotation in late April, Fleming has made each of his last three appearances as a bulk reliever. In those three outings, Fleming has covered between 3.1 and 6.0 innings, pitching to a 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while walking more batters (eight) than he's struck out (four). Though he's the most likely Rays pitcher to record a win Friday, Fleming's recent form suggests he's not a reliable streaming option, especially on a day when all 30 teams are playing.

Henriquez was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Twins on Friday and optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

Henriquez has been out all season after developing right posterior elbow soreness during spring training. He's healthy now but will join St. Paul's bullpen for the time being.

Pagan (3-0) earned the win in Thursday's 5-3 victory over San Diego. He allowed zero runs with no hits or walks while striking out one over an inning.

Pagan struggled with the Twins last season, posting a 4.43 ERA and seven blown saves, and it was a mild surprise that he wasn't non-tendered. However, he's improved significantly as he's given up earned runs in just two of his 13 appearances (though he gave up six runs in 1.2 innings April 20). He has an impressive 15:3 K:BB ratio in 15.2 innings. He began the season buried in the bullpen but is starting to be used in higher-leverage setup situations.

Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Athletics, retiring the only batter he faced.

Smith came in with two on and two outs in the ninth and struck out Brent Rooker on four pitches. The one-out save helped bail out Nathan Eovaldi, who dominated through 8.2 innings. Smith is up to seven saves with just one blown save and has earned the closer duties over Jose Leclerc.

Fairbanks (forearm) will throw one inning in a rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks is eligible to come off the injured list May 16 and has been ramping up his activity of late. He played catch Sunday and has since progressed to the point where he can return to game action. Assuming things go well in his rehab outing, it seems likely that Fairbanks will be activated when first eligible -- or very close to it.

Lopez earned a save against the Padres on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Jhoan Duran may have been unavailable for the Twins on Thursday after tossing two innings (but only 17 pitches) Wednesday, so the team turned to Lopez to protect a two-run, ninth-inning lead. The veteran right-hander didn't disappoint, fanning two of the three batters he faced in a perfect frame. Lopez has been excellent in his first full season with the Twins, allowing just three earned runs and posting a 13:4 K:BB over 17 innings. He has three saves on the season, but Duran has been outstanding as well and remains the team's primary closer.

Kelley will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kelley was promoted by the Rays on Monday but has yet to take the mound since. He's worked in one or two-inning stints both in the majors and minors this season, which will also be his likely workload Friday. Josh Fleming will follow Kelley in a bulk role.

Taylor will serve as the Royals' starting pitcher Friday in Milwaukee, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Taylor has been working out of the bullpen since his promotion from Triple-A Omaha in mid-April and holds an ugly 6.55 ERA through 11 innings. The 30-year-old left-hander will be drawing the start in place of Ryan Yarbrough (head), who landed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week. Because Taylor hasn't covered more than two innings or thrown more than 32 pitches in any of his nine appearances on the season, he'll likely function more as an opener than a traditional starter. Max Castillo could be an option to work in bulk relief behind Taylor.

Neal will be available out of the bullpen Thursday night against the Rangers.

Luis Medina, recalled alongside Neal on Thursday afternoon, is going to get the start in the A's series opener versus Texas. Neal could enter the game as a bulk reliever.

Oakland optioned Garcia to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Garcia surrendered five earned runs on five hits and three walks over three innings (three appearances) during his six-day stay in the A's bullpen. Luis Medina and Zach Neal have been promoted ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Rangers.