MLB Player News

Richards will start Friday's game at Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richards was called up for his debut with the Rays on Sunday and will remain on turn in the starting rotation. The 26-year-old was limited to 71 pitches in that outing as he builds back up to a starting role, so he should have a slightly higher pitch ceiling Friday. Richards has a 4.53 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 109:52: K:BB over 115.1 innings this season.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 14th save in a 5-2 victory against the Orioles on Thursday.

After giving up three runs in a blown save Wednesday, the Rays couldn't have put their closer in a better situation Thursday. Pagan received another save chance to quickly get back on the horse, and he had a nice three-run lead in which to work. He responded with an uneventful ninth. Pagan has seven blown saves, but that's a little misleading, as not all of his opportunities have been conventional save chances. He owns 14 saves, a 2.30 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 54.2 innings this season.

Yarbrough allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with zero walks and five strikeouts across 4.1 innings during a no-decision against the Orioles on Thursday.

The 27-year-old gave up a pair of runs in the first inning, but that was it, as he shut the door over the next 3.1 frames. Unfortunately for him, he didn't last long enough to earn the victory, but he does own a 0.75 ERA with 28 strikeouts in his last 24 innings. Overall, Yarbrough, who will start next at the Astros on Wednesday, is 11-3 with a 3.29 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 109.1 innings this season.

Jurado (6-10) pitched an eight-inning complete game against the White Sox on Thursday but was charged with the loss after surrendering six runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two.

It was yet another rough outing for the right-hander, who has now allowed 41 runs (34 earned) over 40.2 innings in his eight starts since the All-Star break. On the bright side, Jurado tossed a career-high eight innings, doing so with 112 pitches. The 23-year-old now owns a 5.48 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the season and will look to bounce back Wednesday at Angel Stadium.

Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Thursday's game against Houston, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while fanning three over four frames in a relief appearance Wednesday, but he'll head right back to the minors. Matthew Boyd (paternity) is expected to rejoin the squad in Minnesota and start Sunday's series finale.

Taylor (1-1) struck one in a scoreless 10th inning and picked up the win over Kansas City on Thursday.

This was the continuation of a game that was delayed for two hours before being suspended Aug. 7. It was suspended three pitches into the 10th inning on that day, and it took all of 12 minutes to finish when Brock Holt delivered a walkoff single. Taylor has made 10 consecutive scoreless appearances, giving up two hits and one walk while striking out 13 over 10.2 innings.

Romano was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He comes up in a corresponding move to Ken Giles landing on the paternity list, so Romano's stay in the majors could be brief. He has given up three earned runs while striking out 11 in 5.1 innings (four appearances) in the majors this season.

Giles was placed on the paternity list prior to Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He must miss Thursday's game, but no more than three games, meaning he will be back by Sunday, at the latest. Derek Law should serve as the closer while Giles is away. Jordan Romano was recalled in a corresponding move.

Betances (lat) is expected to return by the middle of September according to manager Aaron Boone, Mike Mazzeo of Yahoo Sports reports.

Aaron Boone said on WFAN that he expects both Betances and Luis Severino to return by mid-September, with Betances trailing Severino by a few days in the rehab process thus far. The hefty right-handed reliever threw a long side session Wednesday and continues to ramp up his rehab ahead of game action. The duo of powerful righties will add tremendous depth to a Yankees bullpen that will be used frequently during the postseason.

Pressly was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday and will miss 4-to-6 weeks following arthroscopic right knee surgery, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

This puts his timetable at late September in a best-case scenario, so he can be cut loose in most redraft leagues. Pressly showed this season that he is one of the best relievers in baseball. He logged a 2.50 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 65 strikeouts, two wins and three saves in 50.1 innings (51 appearances). Joe Biagini was recalled in a corresponding move.