MLB Player News

Stanek will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game against the Angels.

Stanek is expected to work no more than two innings before giving way to the bullpen. Among the Rays' long-relief options, Ryan Yarbrough and Austin Pruitt represent the freshest arms in the bullpen, having not worked since Thursday and Friday, respectively. Stanek had allowed runs in only three of his prior 23 appearances before struggling in his last outing Saturday against the Orioles. He covered two frames and gave up three runs on two hits -- both home runs -- and a pair of walks while striking out one.

Leclerc got out the side in order and picked up his 14th hold of the season in Sunday's 4-3 win over Houston.

Leclerc has performed well in the bullpen, posting a 2.33 ERA over 38.2 innings (40 appearances) in mostly seventh- and eighth-inning work. As rumors circulate about Texas trading closer Keone Kela, the Rangers may look to Leclerc for closing opportunities.

Diaz registered the save against the Angels on Sunday, striking out two and walking one while allowing no hits over a scoreless ninth inning to preserve Seattle's 8-5 victory.

The right-hander continues to dominate for the Mariners, as this successful effort against the Angels gives him a league-leading 39 saves in 42 chances. He has a solid argument as the best closer in baseball at the moment, and he figures to remain as such through the rest of the season on a Seattle team that keeps affording him plenty of opportunities.

Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth inning and struck out one as he picked up the save Sunday against the Twins.

Kimbrel drilled the second batter of the inning, but he managed to escape without surrendering a run after inducing a groundball for a double play. The 30-year-old bounced back following a blown save Friday by nailing down his 33rd save of the season.

Borucki allowed two runs in six innings Sunday, giving up six hits and a walk while striking out five and taking the no-decision in the 7-4 win over the White Sox.

The 6-foot-4 rookie now owns a terrific 2.83 ERA in 35 innings this season with a disheartening 0-2 record to show for it. Borucki held Chicago scoreless for four innings before allowing a run in both the fifth and sixth frames. He'll carry a 28:11 K:BB into Friday's outing in Seattle.

Chapman earned the save Sunday against the Royals, tossing a 1-2-3 inning while striking out the side.

Chapman has put together two scoreless outings following a nightmare appearance July 21 against the Mets, when he surrendered three runs on a hit and three walks while failing to record an out. Although the 30-year-old lefty struggles with his command at times, he owns a solid 1.93 ERA with 73 strikeouts through 42 innings.

The Orioles outrighted Lee (undisclosed) to Double-A Bowie on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Lee had occupied a spot on Triple-A Norfolk's 7-day disabled list since late May due to the unspecified injury before beginning a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League just over a week ago. Even though Lee is seemingly back to full health, the Orioles no longer deemed him worthy of a 40-man roster spot, nor was he viewed as a candidate for the Triple-A rotation.

The Mariners optioned Lawrence to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

After he covered 4.1 innings in long relief in Saturday's 11-5 loss to the Angels, Lawrence was unlikely to be available out of the bullpen for at least the next two games. As a result, he was an easy choice for the Mariners to send back to Triple-A in order to create room on the active roster for reliever Sam Tuivailala, who was acquired from the Cardinals on Friday.

Stanek (1-3) allowed three earned runs on two hits and two walks over two innings in a loss to the Orioles on Saturday. He struck out one.

Stanek had previously enjoyed success as a "bullpen day" opener, but he ran into a suddenly hot-hitting Orioles squad Saturday. The right-hander was tagged for back-to-back home runs by Trey Mancini and Joey Rickard in his second and final frame, which led to an early 3-0 hole for the Rays that they never recovered from. Despite the struggles, Stanek still sports an impressive 2.43 ERA for the season, and the pair of round trippers he surrendered were the first he'd given up since May 11.

Pressly gave up a solo home run and struck out one over one inning in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

Pressly was making his Houston debut after being acquired from Minnesota on Friday. Although the game turned out to be a blowout, Pressly entered a close game with the Astros trailing by one in the seventh inning and is expected to fill a late-inning role.