MLB Player News

Betances (lat) will begin a rehab assignment for Double-A Trenton on Friday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The appearance will be Betances' first, as he's been dealing with shoulder and lat issues since spring training. He won't have much time to make a significant fantasy impact this season, especially in a non-closing relief role, but he appears to be on track to make at least a few appearances before the end of the regular season.

Garcia will remain in the minors at least through the end of the Triple-A playoffs, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Garcia is a candidate for promotion after recording a 4.28 ERA and a 34.0 percent strikeout rate in 111.1 innings across the three highest levels of the minors. If a move is coming, it won't be happening just yet. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre could be eliminated as soon as Friday but could also be playing as late as Sept. 14 if they go they distance.

VerHagen worked 4.1 innings in relief in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Royals, giving up one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six.

For his second straight appearance, VerHagen piggybacked starter Daniel Norris, who was pulled after three innings. VerHagen exited with the Tigers up 4-3 and likely would have been in line for the win, but relievers Jose Cisnero and Gregory Soto were unable to protect the lead. If he isn't needed out of the bullpen over the next four games, VerHagen will likely piggyback Norris again Sunday in Oakland.

Shawaryn was recalled by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Shawaryn has been poor in 12.2 innings at the big-league level this season, recording an 8.53 ERA. He'll join a very crowded bullpen for the final few weeks of the season.

Kelley was called up by Boston on Wednesday.

Kelley's big-league debut back in early July didn't go well, as he allowed three runs in one inning of work. He's been far better for Triple-A Pawtucket, though, posting a 1.79 ERA in 65.1 innings.

Anderson struck out all four batters he faced en route to collecting his 12th hold of the season Tuesday in the Rays' 2-0 win over the Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader.

The Orioles hitters couldn't touch Anderson, who induced swings and misses on seven of his 14 strikes in the 18-pitch appearance. The right-hander has quietly been one of the more valuable trade-deadline additions for any team this season, allowing just one run while posting a 0.38 WHIP and 26:0 K:BB in 13 innings with the Rays. Anderson doesn't look like a threat to unseat Emilio Pagan as closer, but the elite ratios he provides can still make him an asset in mixed leagues even if he's not in the mix for saves.

Pagan fired a scoreless ninth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts to earn his 17th save in a win over the Orioles in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

Pagan needed a modest 12 pitches to mow through Jonathan Villar, Mason Williams and Anthony Santander and generate his third straight scoreless effort. The 28-year-old has also converted four straight save opportunities and 10 of his last 11 overall, following a rough stretch earlier in the season.

Lopez is listed as the Royals' probable pitcher for Friday's series opener in Miami.

With the Royals moving Eric Skoglund to relief last week, Lopez will stick around as the team's fifth starter and pick up a second turn through the rotation. Lopez draws a favorable matchup against a lowly Marlins squad in a pitcher-friendly venue in Miami, but that may not be enough to make him a comfortable streaming option. He failed to reach the fifth inning Saturday versus a similarly weak opponent in the Orioles, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks.

Betances (lat) threw live batting practice Tuesday and could go on a rehab assignment Friday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Betances reported feeling good about his repertoire in the on-field session in which he pitched to Giancarlo Stanton, Clint Frazier and Tyler Wade. Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre won a tiebreaker game Tuesday to advance to the playoffs, so Betances could make an appearance with them as early as Friday. The Yankees are hopeful that the 31-year-old can make it back to the big club in mid-September.

The Twins promoted Balazovic from High-A Fort Myers to Double-A Pensacola on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

The 20-year-old right-hander will aid the Blue Wahoos during their postseason run after turning in a stellar season between Fort Myers and Low-A Cedar Rapids. He earned a promotion to the Florida State League after just four starts with Cedar Rapids and didn't see his productivity wane at the higher level, posting a 2.84 ERA to go with a 96:21 K:BB in 73 innings. The 2016 fifth-round pick will likely open the 2020 campaign as a full-time member of the Pensacola rotation.