MLB Player News

Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Armstrong has been fairly solid outside of a five-run implosion April 8, but with the Indians wanting to give Nick Goody some time in the major-league bullpen, he ultimately was the odd man out. Armstrong could find his way back to Cleveland pretty soon if anyone else in the big leagues falters.

Burdi has thrown 3.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks in three appearances for Double-A Chattanooga. His his fastball sat around 95-97 mph in his appearance Wednesday, according to ESPN 1550 am Twin Cities.

The 2014 second-round draft pick was limited to just three relief appearances last season with Chattanooga due to a bruised humerus. He looks healthy and could advance quickly with the Twins in need of high-powered relief arms.

Smith was placed on the 7-day DL for Triple-A Buffalo with an elbow ailment, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The injury is a huge setback at the worst time for Smith. The right-hander had a successful year in 2016 at Double-A New Hampshire where he posted a 1.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 57 innings. He was a candidate to make the Opening Day roster as a reliever and appeared destined to make his MLB debut at some point this year. Unfortunately for Smith, those plans appear to be on hold until further notice.

Coulombe fired a scoreless inning in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Royals, issuing one walk.

The lefty has been reasonably effective over three appearances yet hasn't been very efficient, as he's thrown a total of 92 pitches over just four innings. It took him 22 to get through his one frame Thursday, but to his credit, he's turned in scoreless efforts in two of the aforementioned three trips to the mound. As one of only two southpaws in the A's bullpen at the moment, Coulombe figures to see a solid workload throughout the course of the season.

Farquhar fired a scoreless inning in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees, issuing two walks and uncorking a wild pitch but also recording two strikeouts.

The veteran reliever has now turned in scoreless appearances in four of his first five trips to the mound this season. He made it interesting Thursday, however, walking Starlin Castro to open the eighth and advancing him to second on an errant pitch. Farquhar then bore down to get Chase Headley and Greg Bird swinging before picking Aaron Judge off first after intentionally walking him. Farquhar has been a trusted late-inning option for manager Kevin Cash thus far, and with Brad Boxberger (back) now on the 60-day disabled list he should remain a viable setup option behind closer Alex Colome for the time being.

The Rays moved Boxberger (back) to the 60-day disabled list Friday.

The right-hander needs more time to work through his rehab program. Boxberger will be an option to return to the club in June and make a case to regain his former role as the top setup man.

Andriese allowed just a single run on five hits and three walks through six innings but came away with a no-decision during Thursday's loss to the Yankees. He struck out five batters.

The Blue Jays beat around Andriese to the tune of five runs -- four earned -- over just four innings during his season debut, so this was a nice bounce-back outing. Still, Andriese boasts an underwhelming 4.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 through 29 career starts, so he's off the fantasy radar in the majority of settings.

Magnifico was traded to the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for an International Signing Bonus Slot.

MASN's Roch Kubatko adds that Magnifico was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after being added to Baltimore's 40-man roster. Magnifico had been in the Brewers' organization since 2012, but was designated for assignment earlier in the week to clear a spot on the 40-man for fellow reliever David Goforth. The newly acquired Magnifico figures to slot into Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen.

Barnes (2-0) worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless inning and earn the win in Thursday's 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh.

The win was the second in three outings for Barnes, who has been untouchable in the eighth-inning setup role. He's struck out seven and allowed four baserunners over 5.2 innings.

Kimbrel collected his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning during Thursday's win over Pittsburgh.

Kimbrel allowed a single but was otherwise spotless and needed just 16 pitches to secure the win. He was shaky in his previous appearance and allowed three base runners and a run before collecting the save, so Thursday's tidy outing was relieving. With Boston set to pile up the wins, Kimbrel projects to have another solid campaign.