MLB Player News

Diplan's contract was selected by the Orioles on Wednesday.

Diplan began the year at Triple-A Norfolk after he was designated for assignment in January, and he recorded a 4.12 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 19.2 innings across 17 relief appearances. He'll serve as a low-leverage reliever for Baltimore and will be in line to make his major-league debut.

The Red Sox reinstated Barnes (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Barnes was placed on the IL on Tuesday while he was recovering from an illness, but the Red Sox's decision to deactivate him looks to have been out of an abundance of precaution. He's tested negative for the coronavirus in the 24 hours since landing on the IL and is apparently feeling healthy again, so Barnes should be ready to pitch Wednesday against the Tigers if a save situation is presented. Infielder Jonathan Arauz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to clear a spot on the active roster for Barnes.

The Astros optioned Abreu to their taxi squad Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to closer Ryan Pressly (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list in a corresponding move. The Astros will conclude their road trip Wednesday with a game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so expect Abreu to report to Triple-A Sugar Land once the big club begins its homestand Thursday.

The Astros reinstated Pressly (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston optioned Bryan Abreu to the taxi squad to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Pressly, who left the team Sunday to witness the birth of his child. Though he's been reinstated, Pressly won't be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Dodgers, as the Astros have elected to give him an extra day off to spend with his family. The Astros will play a man short Wednesday before Pressly rejoins the team for Thursday's series opener versus the Twins in Houston.

Jax will make his second turn through the Twins' rotation Thursday in Houston.

After Jose Berrios was traded to the Blue Jays ahead of last week's deadline, Jax was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and made his third start of the season July 30 in St. Louis. The outing was one of the best of Jax's young big-league career, as he limited the Cardinals to one run on two hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision. With Berrios and J.A. Happ now in new locales and few attractive alternatives on hand at Triple-A or in the bullpen, Jax will likely get a long look in the big-league rotation over the final two months of the season.

McHugh (arm) completed a 21-pitch bullpen session Wednesday without issue and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the Rays' weekend series in Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Out since July 21 with right arm fatigue, McHugh appears to have performed well enough in his recent throwing sessions for the Rays to feel comfortable bringing him back from the IL without first sending him on a rehab assignment. Before McHugh was shut down, the Rays' closing picture was already in flux, and things have become even more unsettled with the team dealing away Diego Castillo to Seattle and with Pete Fairbanks (shoulder), J.P. Feyereisen (biceps) and Jeffrey Springs (knee) following McHugh to the IL. With that in mind, McHugh could factor into the mix for saves upon returning to the active roster.

Manaea (8-7) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Padres after allowing five runs on eight hits while fanning four.

Manaea started the game by giving up a solo shot to Tommy Pham, and that would set the tone for the rest of his outing. He was unable to get out of the fifth inning, and the five runs he allowed represented his highest mark since he gave up seven runs across two frames back on May 13 against the Red Sox. Manaea has given up at least three earned runs in four of his last six outings, but he still owns a solid 3.26 ERA on the season.

Fairbanks (shoulder) won't travel with the Rays during their upcoming road trip that runs from Friday until Aug. 15, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Although Fairbanks was able to play catch Tuesday, manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that the right-hander "just felt OK." A better idea of the 27-year-old's status should be revealed once he's able to throw without pain and resumes mound work.

Graveman allowed one hit, hit a batter, and struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers.

Houston, which was without closer Ryan Pressly (paternity), held a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the eighth with the heart of the Dodgers lineup due up. Instead of holding Graveman for the ninth for a potential save, manager Dusty Baker brought him in to face the teeth of Los Angeles' lineup. He danced around a single and a hit batsman to preserve the lead before ceding the ninth inning to Ryne Stanek.

Patino (2-3) took the loss Tuesday as the Rays fell 4-2 to the Mariners, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The rookie didn't pitch poorly, but a pair of solo shots in the third inning by Abraham Toro and Jarred Kelenic proved to be the difference in the game. Patino tossed 65 of 100 pitches for strikes, and that workload bodes well for his fantasy value down the stretch if he can become a little more efficient. On the season, the 21-year-old has a 4.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 36.2 innings.