MLB Player News

Yarbrough was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The soft-tossing lefty yielded four runs on eight hits Thursday versus Toronto in his first big-league appearance since June 5. Yarbrough and his 5.82 ERA through 34 innings will likely return to the majors at some point this season.

Duffey allowed no runs with no hits or walks while striking out four over 1.2 innings Thursday against the Guardians, and the addition of a changeup to his arsenal has contributed to his recent improvement, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Duffey has thrown nine scoreless innings over his last six appearances with a 8:2 K:BB. It's a stark turnaround after he began the season with a 6.38 ERA and 24:8 K:BB in his first 24 innings, a rough stretch that saw him relegated to low-leverage opportunities. Duffey has switched his pitch mix, relying less on a high fastball and using the changeup more frequently. He could return to a key setup role if he continues performing well.

Feyereisen (shoulder) has begun one-armed plyo ball exercises, Ethan Diamandas of MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Feyereisen is continuing to feel better, but the bone bruise in his shoulder has not yet fully healed. As a result, he has yet to resume throwing and appears to still be at least a few weeks from returning to the mound.

Thornton gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning Thursday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Rays.

With closer Jordan Romano getting a rest, Adam Cimber handled the ninth inning and David Phelps the eighth, opening up a high-leverage setup spot for Thornton as he protected a 2-1 lead. The right-hander is prone to occasional blowups, but he posted a solid 4.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 17.2 innings in June, and his ability to work in a variety of roles should keep him busy in the second half for Toronto.

Martinez (1-1) took the loss against Seattle on Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings.

Martinez was called up early in the day to make his second career start. His first outing went well -- he pitched 5.1 scoreless frames -- but it was a much different story Thursday, as the right-hander couldn't get out of the fifth inning. Martinez was torched for a pair of homers and a triple among the seven hits he allowed, and he managed to induce only one swinging strike across his 83 pitches. It's unclear if he'll remain in the rotation for another start, but he'll likely need to begin missing more bats to be successful at the major-league level.

Sewald earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three over one inning.

Sewald was summoned with Seattle up by three runs in the ninth inning, and he struck out the side around a one-out solo homer off the bat of Ramon Laureano to secure the save. The veteran has emerged as the Mariners' preferred ninth-inning option, notching a save in each of his past four outings while posting a 7:0 K:BB and allowing just one hit and one run over that span. Sewald leads the Mariners with eight saves on the campaign, doubling the number of his nearest competitor (Diego Castillo).

Pressly struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in the ninth inning to record his 17th save of the season Thursday against the Yankees.

Pressly successfully protected a one-run lead to earn the save Thursday. Since blowing an opportunity against the Yankees on June 23, Pressly has not allowed a baserunner across three innings -- and three appearances -- while recording five strikeouts. On the season, Pressly has a 3.68 ERA and a 20:8 K:BB across 22 frames.

Cimber earned the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over Tampa Bay, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Cimber had no trouble with the middle of the Rays' lineup and needed just 10 pitches to close out the game. It was his fourth save of the season and first since May 17. After a rough patch in the middle of June, the righty has allowed just one baserunner in his last 3.2 innings. Jordan Romano had pitched on consecutive days and will continue to serve as Toronto's closer, but Cimber should still receive the occasional save chance.

Yarbrough (0-4) took the loss Thursday in Toronto, allowing four runs on eight hits, a walk and a hit batsman in 5.1 innings in relief. He did not record a strikeout.

Yarbrough followed Matt Wisler's scoreless first inning by promptly giving up a single and a two-run homer to the first two batters he faced. He held the Blue Jays scoreless over the next four frames and then allowed another two-run homer in the seventh. It was his first appearance for the Rays after spending the better part of June playing for Triple-A Durham. Through 34 innings in the majors, he's posted a 5.82 ERA and 20:11 K:BB in a disappointing first half of the season.

Cisnero (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Thursday.

Cisnero has yet to pitch this season due to a shoulder strain. He began a rehab assignment in June, but that had to be paused after he experienced renewed discomfort in his shoulder. It's unclear how much time Cisnero will need to ramp up, though a return before the All-Star break appears realistic.