MLB Player News

Farquhar was designated for assignment by the Rays after Wednesday's loss to the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Brad Boxberger (back) expected to return from the 60-day DL on Thursday, Farquhar was the roster casualty. The 30-year-old struggled throughout June, compiling a 6.00 ERA and 8:6 K:BB through nine innings. His past major-league experience could help draw interest on waivers.

Diaz (2-3) pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia.

Diaz had his second straight awful outing against the Phillies, allowing two runs and blowing his third save of the year. He has now allowed a home run in three straight games, and his ERA has risen to 3.77. Manager Scott Servais was not pleased with his performance on Tuesday in a non-save situation, so this will probably not help. Diaz briefly lost his job in mid-May, so his hold on the closer role could become tentative if he doesn't turn things around quickly. It's a situation to monitor closely.

Boxberger (back) could be activated from the disabled list as early as Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boxberger came through his last rehab appearance with no issues, and as long as there is no lingering soreness come Thursday, it sounds like the 29-year-old could rejoin the Rays' bullpen for their series finale with the Pirates.

Martinez will move to the bullpen after Austin Bibens-Dirkx was named the Rangers' starter for Friday's series opener against the White Sox.

The injury-battered Rangers rotation is finally beginning to heal up with Cole Hamels (oblique) returning from the disabled list to start Monday and Andrew Cashner (oblique) set to do the same Thursday, but the latter's return will come at the expense of Martinez. The right-hander has been a decent innings eater over his 12 appearances (11 starts) this season, but a 4.55 ERA and 4.7 K/9 rate made him of little interest in the fantasy realm. Now that he'll be ticketed for relief duty until further notice, he may lose any minimal appeal he held in AL-only formats.

Putnam (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday.

The reliever underwent Tommy John surgery last week, ending his injury-hampered 2017 campaign after just 8.2 innings pitched. The routine move by the team clears room on the 40-man roster, as Putnam begins the long road to recovery, which puts him on track for a return sometime near the middle of next season.

Manager Jeff Banister said that either Martinez or Austin Bibens-Dirkx would start Friday against the White Sox, with the other pitcher heading to the bullpen, William Kosileski of MLB.com reports.

With Cole Hamels (oblique) returning from the disabled list earlier this week and Andrew Cashner (oblique) in line to do the same Thursday, the Rangers will have to drop a starter from the rotation. Given that Bibens-Dirkx has delivered a pair of seven-inning, one-run outings in his last three starts, he looks like the heavy favorite to get the Friday nod over Martinez, who has turned in a 4.79 ERA over his 11 starts this season. Assuming that's indeed the case, look for Martinez to be available as the Rangers' designated long man out of the bullpen for the team's remaining five games this week.

Diaz was charged with four unearned runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies on Tuesday.

While the runs go as unearned, it was Diaz's own throwing error that extended the inning. Manager Scott Servais did not hide his displeasure with Diaz's performance in what was a non-save situation, telling the Tacoma News Tribune, "[Diaz] had not been out there in five days. But he's got to realize, I've got to get him in the game. We've got to try to keep him sharp. You've got to have your edge with you." The 23-year-old Diaz has been good in save situations, converting five straight opportunities since his temporary demotion in mid-May.

Kolarek was called up by the Rays following Tuesday's game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old earns his first big-league promotion following an impressive start to the season with Triple-A Durham. Kolarek owns a 1.36 ERA and a .217 BAA over 31 relief appearances this season, becoming well-known for his ability to induce ground balls from hitters (7.25 GO/AO). He takes the place of the struggling Jose Alvarado and will most likely be used in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen.

Pomeranz (7-4) allowed one run (none earned) on four hits while striking out seven over five innings in Tuesday's 9-2 win over Minnesota.

This was a nice effort from Pomeranz, who came back out to pitch following a 75-minute rain delay during the second inning. For a pitcher that's been criticized by various members of the area's media for his supposed lack of toughness, Pomeranz showed moxie Tuesday by pitching three innings after the delay and saving Boston's bullpen. The left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last seven starts. He's next scheduled to start Sunday on the road in Toronto.

Kahnle was touched for three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Yankees.

Technically, it was a blown save for Kahnle -- his second straight -- but had he been able to hold the lead, closer David Robertson would have entered for the save. With Nate Jones (elbow) sidelined, Kahnle has done a nice job serving as Chicago's eighth-inning reliever, so he'll get a pass on his current two-game rut.