MLB Player News

Hu was scratched from his scheduled start at Triple-A Durham on Saturday in anticipation of a likely promotion to the Rays on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hu is needed at the big-league level in order to help offset the adverse effects of Yonny Chirinos' brief outing Saturday, which caused manager Kevin Cash to alter his short-term rotation plans. The Rays skipper turned to Ryan Yarbrough, who'd been scheduled to start Sunday's game, and the young right-hander ended up working four innings in Saturday's contest. Matt Andriese is now slated to open Sunday's game, and Hu will serve as an extra arm in what is slated to officially be a "bullpen day." The 24-year-old right-hander has made one appearance at the major-league level this season, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk over 2.2 innings against the Rangers on April 16.

Santiago will start Sunday against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Santiago will step in to make a spot start in place of the injured Miguel Gonzalez (shoulder), who was placed on the disabled list earlier in the week. Chris Volstad started in place of Gonzalez on Tuesday, with Santiago piggybacking off the righty in what was ultimately a bullpen day for the White Sox. Santiago has topped out at 60 pitches this year, so Sunday could be another bullpen day for Chicago, with Volstad an option to piggyback off Santiago. Through seven appearances this season (16 innings), Santiago owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Andriese will serve as the starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Andriese has not pitched since earning his first hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Orioles, clearing the way for him to start for the Rays on their bullpen day Sunday. The 28-year-old has topped out at 50 pitches for Tampa Bay this season as the team likely hopes he can last three innings. The right-hander has a 5.40 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and only two walks across 13.1 innings in 2018.

Infante was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Saturday.

The move comes between games of Saturday's doubleheader with the Royals, as the team made room for Dylan Covey, who is starting Game 2. Infante had a 3.13 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 49 strikeouts across 54.2 innings out of the White Sox bullpen in 2017, but he's allowed eight runs on 12 hits and eight walks over nine innings this season.

Fulmer (2-1) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three over seven scoreless innings in a win over the Royals in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The results were pristine but the 3:3 K:BB speaks to a lack of dominance, and keep in mind Fulmer was facing the Royals, who rank dead last in baseball in run scoring. Fulmer has been prone to walks and homers so far in his young big-league career, and he will need to show more before he can be trusted in most mixed leagues. The right-hander lines up for a home start against the Twins next week.

Rodney worked around two walks in a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Saturday en route to his third save of the season.

Fans were buckling in for another bumpy ride after Rodney issued a four-pitch walk to the first batter he faced, but he went on to retire three of the next four, ending a streak of three straight blown save chances. Rodney was signed to be the closer and the Twins seem intent on keeping him in the role, but he can't afford many more hiccups in the immediate future, especially with Addison Reed -- who has a 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB in 14 innings -- waiting in the wings.

Barlow was recalled from Triple-A Omaha for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Barlow, who has served as the Royals' 26th man for two doubleheaders already this season, will be active for Game 2 on Saturday. The 25-year-old returned to the minors immediately both times and has yet to make his major-league debut. Barlow has struck out 13 and allowed one run on nine hits and seven walks over 12 innings with Omaha this season.

Scott was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

It's already the second time Scott has been sent down this season, and it could be a relatively short stay once again. The 23-year-old has struck out five and allowed three earned runs on six hits and one walk over 4.2 innings (three appearances) with the Orioles this season.

Covey's contract was purchased from Triple-A on Saturday and he will start Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

He was outrighted off the 40-man roster this offseason, but the White Sox needed a spot starter, and he will get the call with a corresponding roster move to be determined. Covey has a shiny 2.95 ERA at Triple-A, but his 5.15 FIP and below-average 18 percent strikeout rate do a better job illustrating how good he has been. He should be avoided in most formats, and could be sent back to Triple-A after the twin bill.

Manager Alex Cora feels Smith's stuff has gotten better since the start of the season, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Smith was expected to be a trusted setup man out of the pen but has a 5.87 ERA through 7.2 innings (10 games). Some of that high ERA is skewed by early results, when Smith gave up two runs each in a pair of outings during the first week of the season. Since then, the right-hander had five scoreless outings before allowing a run Thursday. "You can see it. The slider is a lot better," said Cora. "It's just a matter of putting guys away has been difficult for him throughout the first few weeks, but we do feel that he's turning a corner." Despite the positive words from the manager, Cora's actions suggest he's still not ready to call on Smith in high-leverage situations.