MLB Player News

Fairbanks (thumb) was spotted throwing long toss and playing catch on the field prior to Wednesday's game in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays haven't disclosed whether Fairbanks will be available out of the bullpen Wednesday, but his ability to take part in some pregame throwing work one day after being lifted from his appearance in Tuesday's 7-6 loss at least offers hope that he'll avoid a stint on the injured list. After being struck in his pitching hand by a 103-mph comebacker off the bat of Carlos Correa, Fairbanks was diagnosed with a bruised right thumb after X-rays returned negative.

The Guardians recalled McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

McCaughan will be joining the big club for the first time since being acquired from the Marlins on May 9. The 28-year-old right-hander had been starting at Columbus, logging a 5.06 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB in 32 innings. He'll work out of the bullpen in his first stint with Cleveland, joining the relief ranks as a replacement for right-hander Nick Sandlin (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list.

The Guardians placed Sandlin on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with lower back inflammation, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Sandlin's move to the IL comes three days after he was lit up for three earned runs on three hits and two walks while failing to record an out in his relief appearance in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. The Guardians called up right-hander Darren McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus to replace Sandlin in the bullpen.

Little (0-1) took the loss and was charged with a blown save Tuesday against the Red Sox, giving up two runs on two hits in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

With Jordan Romano (elbow) and Yimi Garcia (elbow) both sidelined, the Blue Jays' bullpen depth is being tested, and Little flopped in a high-leverage audition Tuesday when he served up a game-winning homer to Tyler O'Neill in the eighth inning. Toronto's struggled to find a reliable left-handed reliever this season -- Tim Mayza has a 6.04 ERA, while Genesis Cabrera has a 4.55 ERA and 1.52 WHIP -- but Little doesn't seem to be the answer. The 27-year-old carries a 6.17 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 11.2 innings this season with just one hold in 10 appearances.

Brieske tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta. He struck out two.

Brieske helped keep Detroit in the game but didn't get enough run support to possibly scoop up his second win of the season. The righty allowed two earned runs in consecutive outings earlier this month, but since then he's rattled off four straight scoreless innings. Overall, Brieske has a solid 2.95 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 18.1 innings this year.

Duran (3-2) picked up the win Tuesday against Tampa Bay, striking out two during a perfect ninth inning.

Duran took the mound in the top of the ninth inning with the game tied, 6-6, and didn't allow a hit for a fifth consecutive appearance. After Carlos Santana delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth, Duran ended up qualifying for his third win of the campaign. The Twins' closer is 11-for-11 on save chances this season and owns a 3.43 ERA across 21.0 innings.

Jansen earned the save Tuesday against Toronto, striking out one batter during a perfect ninth inning.

Jansen has now converted on nine straight save chances and hasn't allowed a hit or walk across his last 2.2 innings of action. He's picked up a save in four straight appearances and is tied for the fifth most saves in the American League. Overall, Jansen owns a 2.70 ERA and a 30:11 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Miller struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Royals.

Miller took a blown save in his last outing, though it was because he allowed an inherited runner to score. He's struggled a bit lately, allowing nine runs (six earned) with a 16:7 K:BB across 12.1 innings over his last 10 appearances. He's still performing quite well in the closer role for the Athletics, pitching to a 2.20 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 57:12 K:BB over 32.2 innings while going 13-for-15 in save chances this year.

The Yankees optioned Andrews to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Tuesday's game versus the Orioles.

Andrews was brought up from the minors before Tuesday's game to help make up for the loss of Cody Poteet (triceps) and Ian Hamilton (lat), but he will now return to Triple-A without appearing in a game. The 27-year-old southpaw owns an unremarkable 5.84 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 24.2 innings in the minor leagues and has allowed 11 earned runs in just 3.2 frames throughout his MLB career.

Fairbanks was removed from Tuesday's game against the Twins after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Fairbanks attempted to field a 103-mph grounder off the bat of Carlos Correa with his bare hand during the ninth inning of Tuesday's contest. The reliever threw multiple warmup pitches in an effort to remain in the game, but the Rays' trainers elected to pull him early. Per Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun, the main concern was with Fairbanks' thumb, but his X-rays came back negative after the game, and he appears to be dealing with only a bruise. The Rays might stay away from using the 30-year-old righty out of the bullpen for the next few days, but a trip to the injured list initially looks like it will be avoided.