MLB Player News

Pagan (0-2) gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits over two innings in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Royals.

The 26-year-old had given up just a single earned run over the six appearances he'd logged since his most recent promotion from Triple-A Tacoma, but that impressive stretch ended with a thud. Pagan yielded consecutive RBI singles to Lorenzo Cain and Melky Cabrera in the seventh before surrendering a 375-foot solo blast to Brandon Moss in his second and final inning. Thursday's stumble aside, Pagan's overall body of work has been impressive, and his ability to log multiple innings figures to continue affording him regular work.

Alvarado was recalled by the Rays on Friday.

Alvarado takes the vacant roster spot of starter Blake Snell, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, but this likely serves as a temporary promotion. The left-hander owns a 5.89 ERA in 21 relief appearances for Tampa Bay this year and will likely be used exclusively in low-leverage situations.

Boxberger (3-3) fired two scoreless innings in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Astros, recording three strikeouts.

Boxberger breezed through his pair of frames in just 22 pitches, 15 of which he threw for strikes. The veteran reliever hit a brief rough patch in late July during which he gave up four earned runs over two outings, but he's subsequently turned in scoreless efforts in four of his last five trips to the mound. Boxberger continues to rack up the strikeouts as well, as he's now notched multiple whiffs in five appearances and sports a 15:7 K:BB over 12.1 innings.

Andriese (hip) threw a live batting practice session Thursday in Dunedin and could soon begin a rehab assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Andriese is slated for at least one more batting practice session before returning to game action, but he appears to finally be heading the right direction with his rehab. The 27-year-old had posted an impressive 5-1 record and 3.54 ERA over 12 starts before being sidelined in June.

Colome pitched a clean ninth inning for his 33rd save Thursday in Houston.

Colome didn't strike out a single Astro while notching three saves in this four-game set but he also held Houston to just one base runner and didn't surrender a hit. As long as his groundball-inducing approach is working, Colome should remain the closer in Tampa.

Graveman (2-3) allowed seven runs on eight hits and a walk over two innings in Thursday's loss to the Giants. He did not record a strikeout.

Graveman made his last start for the Athletics on May 19 and showed some serious signs of rust in his first game back from the disabled list Thursday. The 26-year-old gave up five base hits in the four-run first inning followed by a two-run homer by Brandon Belt in the Giants' three-run second inning. Graveman was pulled after just two innings of work in which his ERA ballooned from 3.83 ERA to 4.96. He'll look to right the ship in his upcoming scheduled start against the Mariners next Wednesday.

McHugh allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts over six innings in Thursday's no-decision against the Rays.

A Derek Fisher throwing error set up Tampa Bay's first run in the second inning while a Steven Souza homer in the sixth accounted for the only earned run on McHugh's ledger. McHugh hasn't pitched more than six innings in any of his three starts since returning from an elbow injury and is yet to factor into a decision, but his 17:5 K:BB over that stretch is encouraging. His first win could well be in the cards Wednesday when the right-hander travels to Chicago to face the cellar-dwelling White Sox.

Jankowski was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Thursday.

Jankowski was called to the bigs on Monday and tossed a scoreless inning during Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Rays. His services weren't needed for long and he'll head back to work out of the bullpen at Triple-A Fresno.

Junis is working diligently to improve his changeup so that he can bring a legitimate four-pitch arsenal back to the big leagues once recalled, Tony Boone of the Omaha World-Herald reports.

Junis relies heavily on a fastball-slider combo, but isn't shy to mix in his curveball. To be a top-tier pitcher, though, the ability to throw a consistent changeup is crucial. Junis realizes this development could make or break his role as an MLB starter. The Royals have recalled the 24-year-old five times this season, but most of his innings this year have been logged in 12 starts at Triple-A Omaha. Through 71 innings with the Storm Chasers, Junis owns a 2.92 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 86 strikeouts.

Kelly (hamstring) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

While Kelly was originally expected to return Friday, the Red Sox will give him an extra day to rest up before reinstating him. Kelly is expected to factor back into the setup mix upon activation, but he could see his role slightly diminished due to the recent acquisition of Addison Reed.