MLB Player News

Pagan allowed three hits but recorded a four-out save with one strikeout during a 6-5 victory against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old yielded an infield single with inherited runners aboard in the eighth, but Pagan stranded the bases loaded. In the ninth, the Red Sox made things interesting with two outs, but again, Pagan stranded the go-ahead run in scoring position. While he does have six blown saves this season, Pagan has eight saves and seven holds as a member of the Rays' closer committee. He also has a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 44 innings this season.

Hendriks blew the save against the Brewers on Tuesday, pitching 1.1 innings and giving up one run on two hits while striking out four.

For the second straight game, Hendriks was summoned to protect a lead in the eighth inning and was unable to close the door. He gave up a game-tying single to the first batter he faced, then served up a solo home run to Eric Thames in the ninth inning after Oakland had recaptured the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Hendriks has now blown three of his last four save opportunities, and with former closer Blake Treinen pitching well to pick up the win in two of those games, there may be some thought given to reversing their roles.

Puk (elbow) was charged with a loss and a blown save for Triple-A Las Vegas against New Orleans on Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits, a walk and a hit batsman over one inning. He struck out one.

Puk couldn't preserve a two-run lead for the Aviators in the eighth inning, but he did log another 19 pitches in what was likely his penultimate rehab appearance. The southpaw had generated back-to-back scoreless relief efforts heading into Tuesday's outing and figures to slot into a similar role in the Athletics' bullpen upon his expected early-August activation.

Yarbrough will cover the bulk of innings Wednesday against the Red Sox following opener Andrew Kittredge, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Yarbrough was effective in the same role against the Blue Jays last Friday, allowing just one run across 5.1 innings while recording four strikeouts. The southpaw has similar numbers as a starter and reliever this season but has been slightly more effective as the latter, posting a solid 3.64 ERA, .218 BAA and .253 wOBA over 47.0 innings out of the bullpen.

Manaea (shoulder) recorded eight strikeouts and allowed three earned runs on three hits, a walk and a wild pitch over six innings for Triple-A Las Vegas against New Orleans on Tuesday.

Manaea delivered a quality start but only worked up to 70 pitches, which actually checked in below the 75 he'd thrown in his prior rehab appearance and well short of the 90 he'd been slated for. However, Manaea's efficiency still led to his longest rehab appearance yet in terms of innings. Given the caliber of his performance, Manaea appears on track to return after his next rehab outing in Las Vegas, when he's scheduled to work up to 100 pitches.

Jurado didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Mariners, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over four innings while striking out three.

The 23-year-old needed 86 pitches (55 strikes) to record 12 outs, giving up runs in each of the first three innings, and only a Texas rally in the sixth inning took Jurado off the hook for his seventh loss of the year. He'll carry a 4.92 ERA and 64:27 K:BB through 86 innings into his next start Monday in Cleveland.

Kittredge will serve as the opener Wednesday at Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge had seven strikeouts and gave up two runs over three innings as the opener Saturday and has overall been effective for the Rays with a 3.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB. Ryan Yarbrough is slated to follow as the bulk reliever versus the Red Sox.

Alvarado (oblique) progressed to throwing from 90 feet Tuesday and is slated for a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The left-handed closer appears to be on pace for his projected mid-August return date. How Alvarado responds to back-to-back days of physical activity should be a good litmus test for where he currently is in his recovery.

Stanek (hip) completed a 20-pitch bullpen session Monday at Tropicana Field and is slated to throw one inning for High-A Charlotte on Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The news continues to be good, as it appears the right-hander will be back in minimum time from his stay on the injured list. Stanek will only need Wednesday's rehab appearance before activation according to manager Kevin Cash, meaning he'd presumably be back with the big-league club Saturday if there are no setbacks.

Rogers struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 16th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Marlins.

The addition of former Miami closer Sergio Romo to the Minnesota bullpen doesn't seem to have impacted Rogers' role, as Romo worked the eighth inning in front of the southpaw. Rogers now has a strong 2.22 ERA and 60:8 K:BB through 48.2 innings on the year.