MLB Player News

Smith (elbow, shoulder) threw a scoreless inning for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Bill Koch of the Providence Journal reports. He was making his second rehabilitation appearance.

Smith was much better during Tuesday's rehab outing after he walked three of four batters in his first rehab appearance at Double-A Portland on Saturday. He's on schedule to pitch every third day and is still viewed as a potential bullpen piece for the Red Sox in September.

Bukauskas will start for short-season Tri-City on Thursday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bukauskas, who was promoted after making one start for the Astros' affiliate in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League, will be making his debut for Tri-City. His workload will be limited during his first partial season in professional ball after coming off a full collegiate season at the University of North Carolina.

Andriese (hip) had a successful three-inning live batting practice session Tuesday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Sunday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander has been able to throw a couple of batting practice sessions in the last several days without setbacks, so it appears he's ready to return to game action. If Andriese ends up needing just four rehab starts, he'll be on pace to return to the big-league club by late August.

Stanek was optioned to Triple-A Durham following Tuesday's game, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Just summoned up July 31, Stanek was sent down in order to make room for Jake Odorizzi (back), who's expected to be activated and start Wednesday versus the Red Sox. The 26-year-old saw action in two outings during his most recent majors stint, allowing three earned runs on five hits over three innings while recording five strikeouts.

Diaz picked up a 10th-inning save Tuesday, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one Oakland hitter.

He's now posted five straight scoreless outings and 12 in his last 14, a span in which Diaz has a 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB. The young closer's recovered impressively after hitting a bit of a midseason lull, and he remains one of the league's top ninth-inning (or 10th-inning, in this case) options.

Graveman gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings against Seattle on Tuesday. He struck out just two and didn't factor into the decision.

This was certainly an improvement after he lasted just two brutal innings in his first start off the DL, but it still wasn't good. Even so, Graveman was actually in line to win until his defense and bullpen conspired to blow the lead and send the game to extras, where the A's were ultimately defeated. Graveman had relatively credible stats before he hit the DL in mid-May, but he's now sitting on a 4.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, and his low-strikeout, groundballing ways haven't prevented him from giving up homers. Use him with great caution.

Pruitt (6-3) allowed only one run on seven hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five in Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Red Sox.

The right-hander put together his second straight quality start, but with Chris Sale in peak form opposite him, Pruitt had no chance at securing a win. He's now lowered his ERA to 5.14, and will look to keep chipping away at it Sunday at home against Cleveland.

Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 28th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rays.

He just picked up where Chris Sale had left off after fanning 13 in eight shutout innings, as Tampa's hitters were completely overmatched all night. Kimbrel now has a 2.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB in 11 innings since the All-Star break, numbers which are actually a step back from his incredible first half.

Norris (groin) could pitch a simulated game Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Norris was able to toss a successful 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and may be ready to take on a simulated game in the coming days. A minor-league rehab assignment will likely follow before he's ready to rejoin the Tigers' big-league rotation.

Paredes was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

A spot on the 25-man roster opened up when Yunel Escobar (oblique) was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, so the Angels called upon Paredes to provide an additional arm in their bullpen. The 22-year-old held a 2.00 ERA in his nine innings of relief with the big-league club earlier this season.