MLB Player News

The Red Sox recalled Winckowski from Triple-A Worcester in advance of his scheduled start Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move, paving the way for Winckowski to step back into his spot in the rotation. Eovaldi won't be eligible to return from the IL until Sept. 3 and could miss multiple turns through the rotation, but Winckowski hasn't proven himself to be a trustworthy fantasy option at this stage of his career. Through his first 12 big-league starts, the rookie has turned in a 5.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB in 60.2 innings.

The Blue Jays optioned Pop to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Pop vacates the MLB roster now that Tim Mayza (shoulder) is back from the injured list. Despite allowing an earned run in his last two appearances, Pop has a 2.70 ERA in 6.2 innings with Toronto and figures to make another big-league appearance before the season ends.

Mayza (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Mayza will return to the Blue Jays' bullpen after missing close to the minimum 15 days with a dislocated right shoulder. Since the beginning of July, the left-hander has produced a 2.51 ERA and 0.56 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 14.1 innings in 16 appearances. Zach Pop was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in order to open a roster spot for Mayza.

Mayers is scheduled to start Wednesday's game at Tampa Bay, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Mayers is presumably stepping into the rotation spot of Touki Toussaint, who could work out of the bullpen for the time being after being blasted for four earned runs on three hits and four walks in 2.2 innings in his last start Aug. 17 against the Mariners. In that same game, Mayers came on in long relief and wasn't any more effective, as he yielded five earned runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk while striking out four over 5.1 innings. Mayers tossed 96 pitches in that outing, so he'll be sufficiently stretched out as he steps into the rotation.

Alexy (1-0) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one over 2.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win over the Twins on Monday.

Alexy made his first appearance since being called up late last week. He's shifted to a long-relief role after being groomed as a starter. The results have been slightly better since the transition -- a 4.57 ERA out of the bullpen compared to 6.86 as a starter -- but it's uncertain if the 24-year-old right-hander will remain a reliever.

Oller (2-6) took the loss against Miami on Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Oller was in trouble for much of his outing -- he allowed at least one baserunner in each of his first five innings before finally retiring the side in order in the sixth -- but he did relatively well in holding the Marlins to three runs. However, Edward Cabrera tossed a gem for Miami, and Oller was therefore stuck with the loss. The Oakland right-hander continued a recent trend of issuing too many free passes, as his five walks were a season high and marked the third time in his past four outings he has walked at least three batters. Oller does have consecutive quality starts for the first time this season, but he'll need to show better control to win games consistently.

Moore struck out one in a perfect inning to pick up the save Monday against the Twins.

The Rangers turned to the southpaw for his third save of the season. Moore has excelled in his first season as a full-time reliever, as he owns a 2.05 ERA which would be the best mark of his career and first time under 4.00 since 2014. Despite earning the save Monday (which was his first since July 28), the veteran appears to be in a closer-by-committee situation, as the Rangers have 10 relievers with at least one save this season.

Smeltzer was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul following Monday's game against the Rangers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Smeltzer saw just one outing during his latest stint with the big club, allowing one run on five hits while fanning one over three frames Saturday against the Rangers. He was demoted to make room for Tuesday's starter, Aaron Sanchez.

Loaisiga struck out one batter over 1.1 perfect innings and earned a save over the Mets on Monday.

Loaisiga needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to retire all four batters he faced in Monday's victory. It was his first save of the season and first opportunity since blowing a save against the White Sox on May 12. Loaisiga is now sporting a 5.76 ERA through 34 appearances on the year. He could be looking at some more action as the closer with Clay Holmes (back) and Scott Effross (shoulder) out; neither Aroldis Chapman nor Lou Trivino pitched in Monday's contest.

Armstrong picked up the save in a perfect inning Monday against the Angels. He struck out one.

Armstrong entered the Rays' saves carousel with his first save of the season Monday, as he retired the Angels in order to end the game. Interestingly, manager Kevin Cash turned to lockdown reliever Jason Adam in the eighth, opening the door for Armstrong to earn the save. The righty is now the 10th reliever to earn a save for Tampa Bay, so it is unlikely that he will provide many more down the stretch as the team tends to move players in and out of ninth inning duties.