MLB Player News

Pagan (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk over two scoreless innings in a win over the Blue Jays on Saturday. He also recorded a strikeout.

Pagan took over after Sean Manaea struggled through five innings, delivering a pair of scoreless frames to keep the Athletics' deficit a manageable 4-0. That would ultimately prove pivotal to Oakland's comeback, as it was able to put together a five-run rally in the top half of the eighth that afforded Pagan his first win in an Oakland uniform. The strong outing was a welcome sight, considering that Pagan had earned a demotion to Triple-A Nashville in early May after allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits over six consecutive appearances.

Stanek failed to record an out in a win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two earned runs on two hits.

Just recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Durham, the hard-throwing right-hander was entrusted with preserving a 5-1 lead entering the ninth. However, he ran into trouble immediately, allowing a leadoff single to Zack Cozart before surrendering a 430-foot, two-run home run to Mike Trout, earning him the hook and bringing in Alex Colome for an unexpected save opportunity. Stanek had been effective in his three prior big-league appearances this season, allowing an earned run on a hit over 3.2 innings while generating seven strikeouts.

Jurado was optioned to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

Jurado will head back to the minors following his first major-league start Saturday in which he allowed four runs over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. His demotion opens up a roster spot for Chris Martin's (forearm) activation from the disabled list.

Martin (forearm) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday.

Martin is set to rejoin the Rangers' bullpen after missing the last three weeks with a forearm injury. Ariel Jurado was optioned back to Double-A Frisco to make room on the roster.

Hart was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hart will be temporarily cast off the 25-man roster to make room for David Hess to be recalled ahead of his start Sunday against the Red Sox. Hart, who owns a 1.93 ERA in 4.2 innings of relief, could make his way back to the majors in the near future.

Jurado was lauded by manager Jeff Banister after the 22-year-old made his MLB debut Saturday in a loss to the White Sox, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "I will say this: He showed a lot of moxie," Banister said. "He responded very well. He didn't seem affected [by the big inning]. There were a lot of learning experiences out there for him. There were so many positives. We loved what we saw."

The Rangers are going nowhere this season, so bringing in Jurado over a journeyman like Austin Bibens-Dirkx is the clearest sign the organization is preparing for its rebuild. Banister didn't make any announcements following the game, but the Rangers will need a fifth starter Thursday, and his comments came close to endorsing Jurado for that start. The right-hander is a low-level prospect who gets by mostly on his sinker. If he's leaving it up, he'll get tagged, as he did in the third inning Saturday when he allowed all four of his runs. But he recognized that and made the necessary adjustments to give the Rangers another six outs. He's similar to fellow Rangers starter Doug Fister, who has had a 10-year career as a serviceable major-league starter.

Colome pitched a clean ninth inning to record his 10th save of the season Saturday against the Angels.

Colome was called into action after Ryne Stanek allowed a two-run homer to Mike Trout. While Colome's season got off to a rocky start, he has now pitched five consecutive scoreless innings and successfully recorded four saves in that span.

Yarbrough (4-2) allowed one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out four over 6.1 innings to earn the win Saturday against the Angels.

Yarbrough didn't start Saturday but was effective after entering the game in the second inning following an inning from starter Sergio Romo. He wasn't especially deceptive but was able to pound the strike zone thanks to pitching the entire game with at least a four-run lead. He has settled nicely into his unique role, posting a 3.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 40.2 innings this season.

Graveman is a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Nashville in the wake of recent injuries to Andrew Triggs (forearm) and Brett Anderson (shoulder), Susan Slusser of SFGate.com reports.

Graveman just headed back to the Sounds last Tuesday after a solid May 11 spot start against the Yankees in which he earned his first big-league win of the season. With both Triggs and Anderson now on the disabled list, the Athletics appear to have an opening for the 27-year-old right-hander. However, he likely wouldn't take the hill until Wednesday at the earliest if he's summoned, considering he threw 93 pitches over six innings for Nashville in a win over Oklahoma City on Friday.

Jurado (0-1) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out two.

Making his big-league debut, the 22-year-old ran into trouble in the third inning and gave up all four of his runs, but Jurado was able to regain his footing and keep Chicago off the scoreboard until being yanked after 81 pitches (55 strikes). With Matt Moore (knee) and Martin Perez (elbow) both on the disabled list, and Cole Hamels (neck) not 100 percent either, Jurado may have shown enough to stick around in the Rangers' rotation for another turn or two.