MLB Player News

The Rays plan to deploy Yarbrough as a bulk reliever behind opener Jimmy Yacabonis in Tuesday's game in Milwaukee, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Yarbrough will follow an opener for his second straight outing after the arrangement paid dividends his last time out Wednesday, when he came on behind lefty Jalen Beeks. Though he didn't factor into the decision, Yarbrough delivered four innings of one-run ball while allowing just two baserunners and striking out one. The southpaw will follow the right-handed Yacabonis this time around, with the righty/lefty combination to begin the game perhaps deterring the Brewers from fielding a righty-heavy lineup that might have more success against Yarbrough.

The Rays will deploy Yacabonis as an opener in front of bulk reliever Ryan Yarbrough in Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The arrangement could deter the Brewers from fielding a righty-heavy lineup Tuesday, as the right-handed Yacabonis will likely work an inning or two before giving way to the left-handed Yarbrough. The Rays will be hoping for better results in Yacabonis' second appearance with the team, as he was lit up for three earned runs while recording just two outs in his debut Saturday in Detroit after he had recently been scooped up off waivers from the Marlins.

Mayza (shoulder) is expected to return this season, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Mayza suffered a dislocated right shoulder in Saturday's game, but it appears as if the injury will not sideline him for the remainder of the season. The Blue Jays are hopeful that the left-hander will be able to return as soon as the end of August.

The Mariners returned Bernardino to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Bernardino's stay with Seattle lasted just one day, as the Mariners designated him as their 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Angels. The lefty reliever appeared out of the bullpen in the Mariners' 7-1 loss in Game 1, covering two innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said Barlow (finger) could be activated in advance of Tuesday's series opener with the Astros, MLB.com reports.

Barlow made a third rehab appearance Saturday, walking one over a scoreless 1.2 innings for Triple-A Round Rock. Two of his three rehab outings lasted 1.2 innings, which could portend his usage when he returns to the majors. Barlow had been the Rangers' closer but was removed from the role early in July. Woodward has been using Jonathan Hernandez in that role for now.

Winder (shoulder) will begin a bullpen progression Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla. in hopes of a September return, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Winder looked as though he might have been a candidate to get shut down for the season after he landed on Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list July 23 with right shoulder impingement syndrome, but he's apparently recovering more quickly than expected. He'll still need about three weeks to get fully ramped back up, so he won't be a realistic candidate to return from the Triple-A IL and rejoin the Twins until the roster expands in September.

Soto (2-6) allowed five runs on two hits and three walks against the Rays on Sunday. He recorded two outs and took the loss.

Soto entered a scoreless contest in the ninth inning and quickly lost control of things. He coughed up two runs and was charged with all three runners he left on base. He had gone eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run, and he saw his ERA jump to 3.26 after his worst outing of the season. Soto is still riding a streak of seven straight converted saves.

Romano (4-3) blew the save but picked up the win in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Twins. He allowed one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one over two innings.

The Blue Jays' closer entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning and allowed a run on a hit-by-pitch, a pair of singles and a fielder's choice. Toronto went on to score a run in the top of the 10th to give Romano the lead, which he sealed for the win with a clean frame. As the Blue Jays are in the heat of the AL playoff race, interim skipper John Schneider opted to let Romano pitch two innings for the first time this season. If that trend continues, Romano could sneak more counting stats and a couple of additional wins this season.

Clase struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save during Sunday's win over the Astros.

Clase's last two appearances came in non-save situations, but he preserved the Guardians' one-run lead during Sunday's low-scoring matchup to pick up his 24th save of the season. The right-hander gave up a run Saturday against Houston but has still been dominant following the All-Star break, posting a 1.13 ERA in eight innings over his last eight outings.

Merryweather (oblique) began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, striking out two over a scoreless inning in his first appearance.

Merryweather is on the comeback trail after he had been sidelined since June 13 with a left oblique strain. After being moved to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible for activation until the middle of August, so he'll likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before slotting back into the Toronto bullpen.