MLB Player News

Fairbanks (shoulder) threw at Tropicana Field on Wednesday and is slated to face live hitters this weekend with an eye on being activated from the injured list thereafter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks apparently looked very good per Topkin, and if all goes well with the planned live session over the weekend, the right-hander will likely accompany the Rays on their West Coast road trip that begins Monday and then be activated at some point during the week. Fairbanks logged three appearances this season before suffering his shoulder strain, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 2.2 innings.

Diekman (1-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Rays on Thursday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

The left-hander got 11 of 17 pitches into the strike zone during an efficient eighth frame and was rewarded with the victory when the one-run lead afforded by Matt Chapman's go-ahead RBI double in the top of the ninth inning held up. After uncharacteristically allowing four runs (three earned) over his first three trips to the mound this season, Diekman has bounced back to rattle off eight straight scoreless efforts while also recording two saves, three holds and Thursday's win.

Patino fired two scoreless innings during a loss to the Athletics on Thursday, allowing one hit while recording two strikeouts.

The promising right-hander has gotten his Rays tenure off to a nearly unblemished start, with Patino allowing just a hit and a walk over 4.2 innings across two appearances, the first coming as the opener against the Blue Jays on Sunday. The 21-year-old could continue to be used interchangeably as an opener, conventional reliever or even a bulk reliever, considering his extensive starting experience in the minors.

Scott (1-2) pitched a scoreless 10th inning with one walks and two strikeouts to earn the extra-inning win over the Yankees on Thursday.

Scott did his part in the top of the 10th inning, and Cedric Mullins produced a walkoff sacrifice fly for the win. The 26-year-old Scott has a sharp-looking 2.53 ERA, but his 1.59 WHIP and 13:11 K:BB 10.2 innings are cause for concern. Nonetheless, he's racked up five holds in 11 appearances. While the southpaw isn't expected to see many save chances, he's likely to continue working in high-leverage scenarios.

Lopez allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three across four innings Thursday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Lopez exited the game with runners on first and second, but he had yet to surrender a run. However, Rougned Odor singled in both baserunners against Adam Plutko, so those runs went on Lopez's line. Lopez has had a tough start to the season, as he's pitched to a 7.48 ERA with a 21:9 K:BB across 21.2 innings. He's currently projected to make his next start Tuesday at Seattle.

Valdez allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out two across one inning to blow the save Thursday against the Yankees.

Valdez entered the game with a one-run lead, but he walked two of the first three batters he faced before surrendering an RBI double. It was Valdez's second blown save of the season, though he's still gone 5-for-7 in save chances this season. This performance isn't likely to affect the closer role in Baltimore, though Tanner Scott could eventually earn saves if Valdez continues to stumble.

Trivino allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Rays.

Trivino was called up to to maintain a one-run lead and was able to strand the game-tying run at third base. He's now a perfect 4-4-for-4 in save opportunities this season. Jake Diekman has also gotten some ninth-inning work, though he pitched in the eighth inning and earned the win Thursday. Trivino now has secured each of the team's last two saves, and he should continue to see chances moving forward.

Hendriks earned the save Thursday after tossing a perfect inning that included one strikeout.

Tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the seventh inning of Thursday's twin bill, Hendriks sent Jonathan Schoop down on strikes before forcing Niko Goodrum to pop out and Wilson Ramos to ground out. The right-hander needed just 12 pitches to get the job done, nine of which were strikes. The flawless frame lowered his ERA to 4.35 and WHIP to 0.66 to go with five saves across 10.1 innings of work this season.

Graveman worked around a hit in a scoreless ninth inning against the Astros on Thursday to earn his third save of the season. He struck out one batter.

After Yusei Kikuchi spun seven innings of one-hit ball, Anthony Misiewicz and Graveman completed the shutout for the Mariners. Graveman still has not given up a run yet this season (10.2 innings) and is the clear top arm in the Seattle bullpen; as the relief ace, he projects for most of the save chances moving forward, although he'll likely still be called upon occasionally to put out fires earlier in games.

Pearson (groin) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to the alternate training site Thursday.

Pearson built up to 51 pitches over the weekend and is slated to throw 3-to-4 rehab innings Thursday. However, he'll join Triple-A Buffalo for the start of the minor-league season and should continue to rehab in a live game setting early next week. If all goes well with the Triple-A club, Pearson could return to the major-league rotation in the near future.