MLB Player News

Manaea (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Friday and could begin a rehab assignment soon after, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manaea resumed throwing Tuesday following a brief oblique-related setback. If his recovery proceeds smoothly from this point forward, he could be back in the rotation before the end of the month, though a return in early August appears more likely.

Fairbanks was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Fairbanks spent almost a month with the Rangers, striking out 15 batters in 8.2 innings but also allowing 10 runs (nine earned). Phillips Valdez was recalled to take his spot in the bullpen.

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that he will look to ease Treinen back into action following the latter's return from the injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Treinen was a top-two closer last year, but he has already made multiple trips to the IL with arm issues this season. Moreover, he was just rocked for two homers in one inning during his lone rehab appearance. Liam Hendriks, meanwhile, was just named AL Reliever of the Month and was perfect in save opportunities in Treinen's absence. Melvin said he still sees Treinen returning to the closer role long term.

Barria was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Wednesday against the Rangers, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Griffin Canning has been pushed back for rest purposes, affording Barria another opportunity in the major leagues. Barria has been unable to replicate his 2018 success through six appearances with the Angels this season, posting a 5.55 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 24.1 innings. Things have been even worse at Salt Lake (7.71 ERA, 1.49 WHIP).

Norris (2-8) allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks while also recording two strikeouts across five innings and was charged with the loss against the White Sox in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday.

The 26-year-old is on quite a cold streak. This is the second time in the last three starts where Norris has yielded at least six runs, and he hasn't won a game since May 12. Since then, Norris is 0-7 with a 5.79 ERA. Overall, Norris is 2-8 with a 4.96 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 90.2 innings this season.

Vasquez (shoulder) has allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three in 2.1 innings (two appearances) with Triple-A Rochester since his return from the 7-day injured list.

Shoulder trouble has pushed Vasquez to the IL twice already this season and he has struggled when active, posting a 6.35 ERA in 17 innings with the Twins' top minor-league affiliate. He made one appearance with the big club back in April after taking the hill for Minnesota on nine occasions last year. The lefty remains on the Twins' 40-man roster.

Lopez is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Tigers.

Heading into the week, Lopez lined up for two more starts before the All-Star break, but those plans were after Tuesday's game against the Tigers was rained out. Since Lopez had already completed his full pregame warmup Tuesday before the contest was postponed, the White Sox won't make him available for Wednesday's doubleheader. Lopez should be well rested and ready to take on a normal workload by the time Thursday arrives.

Treinen (shoulder) was activated from the injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Twins, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Treinen made a remarkably quick recovery from a rotator cuff strain, and for what it's worth, he gave up three runs on four hits in one inning in his lone rehab appearance at Triple-A. He will presumably return to being Oakland's closer, but Liam Hendriks may still get the occassional save chance, given how well he has pitched of late.

Stanek will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Since Ryan Yarbrough worked multiple innings Monday before being optioned to Triple-A Durham and Yonny Chirinos is slated to take the hill Thursday against the Yankees, the Rays won't have their top two bulk-relief candidates available behind Stanek. As a result, it's expected the Rays will treat the series finale as more of a bullpen game, though it shouldn't result in any dramatic change in Stanek's workload. Stanek has maxed out at two innings this season and likely won't be asked to push past that total.

Wittgren delivered a perfect, 10-pitch eighth inning en route to earning a hold in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Royals.

With nine holds on the season to go with some solid ratios, Wittgren has gained traction in the Indians' setup ranks and could warrant consideration for closing duties in the event All-Star Brad Hand sustains an injury or is traded. For the time being, however, Wittgren will remain little more than a speculative option for saves and probably won't be worth monitoring in most mixed leagues.