MLB Player News

Merryweather (elbow) tossed two innings in a simulated game Tuesday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Merryweather underwent Tommy John surgery in March of last year and is still progressing through his rehab. He will have another bullpen session Saturday. The 27-year-old could progress to facing live batters soon. Once Merryweather is healthy he should work his way to Triple-A Buffalo, where he finished up the 2017 season.

Banda (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Banda remains on the road to recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2018. He'll likely need to toss a few more bullpens without any setbacks before the Rays allow him to face live hitters. Banda figures to be at least a couple of months away from a return.

Harvey was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Harvey spent just shy of two weeks with the big-league club. He performed capably, allowing one run in five innings with a K:BB of 6:2. Jonathan Loaisiga was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Pruitt was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.

Pruitt has thrown 11.1 innings of relief for Durham this season, recording a 4.76 ERA. He had a similar 4.65 ERA in 69.2 innings for the Rays last season. Ji-Man Choi was placed on the restricted list in a corresponding move.

Loaisiga will be available out of the bullpen instead of starting Tuesday against the Angels, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Loaisiga was originally supposed to fill in for Domingo German to afford the Yankees' starters an extra day of rest, but with the bullpen depleted after a 14-inning contest with the Angels, manager Aaron Boone said German will start Tuesday after all. Loaisiga will be available in relief.

Trivino has been unavailable to pitch the last two games because of a thumb injury and won't be available Tuesday either, John Shea of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Trivino unable to pitch Monday night, Joakim Soria instead pitched the eighth with a 4-1 lead. Trivino has been excellent so far this season, posting a 1.42 ERA and 0.55 WHIP over 12.2 innings, striking out 16 while walking just one batter.

Chapman blew the save against the Angels on Monday, giving up one earned run on two hits over his one inning of work as the Yankees eventually won 4-3 in 14 innings. He recorded one strikeout and walked none.

It was the first blown save of the season for Chapman, who couldn't preserve a 3-2 lead as he allowed the Angels to level the marathon contest in the 12th inning. It was an uncharacteristically shaky showing for the 31-year-old. He still has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP to go along with a 12:1 K:BB in his nine appearances.

Pagan worked a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Royals.

Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo have both seen heavy workloads recently and been less than sharp, so Pagan got the call from manager Kevin Cash and got the job done. The right-hander has a 1.80 ERA and 4:1 K:BB through five innings since his promotion from Triple-A Durham, but it remains to be seen whether he'll have a regular place among the Rays' high-leverage relievers.

Stanek will open Tuesday's game against the Royals, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Rays will roll with Stanek for the first inning or two before turning to their primary pitcher, who figures to be Jalen Beeks. Stanek has tossed three consecutive scoreless outings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three over his last four innings of work.

Loaisiga has been called up from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre and will start Tuesday's road matchup against the Angels, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

It will be a spot start for the right-hander, per manager Aaron Boone, in order to give the Yankees' other arms an extra day of rest. Loaisiga has given up three earned runs, struck out five, and walked one over his seven innings at the big-league level this season. He figures to return to Triple-A after the start, like he did after his last outing for the Yankees on April 9.