MLB Player News

The Athletics optioned Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

The move corresponds with the Athletics recalling right-hander Joey Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas. After having his contract selected from Las Vegas on Wednesday, Lucas struggled in his two major-league outings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 2.1 innings. Lucas has a more respectable 2.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 15.2 frames in Triple-A, so a return to the minors could help the southpaw regain some form.

The Rays optioned Uceta to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The move corresponds with right-hander Pete Fairbanks (arm) being reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Uceta made two big-league appearances after being called up from Triple-A Durham on Monday. Over that span, the right-hander threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out five.

The Rays reinstated Fairbanks (arm) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Fairbanks played in two games with Triple-A Durham on his rehab assignment, and he threw one scoreless inning with a strikeout in his last outing Thursday. The right-hander joined the Rays on Friday, and he will be available for the weekend series against the Yankees. Before landing on the IL on April 22 with a nerve issue in his throwing arm, Fairbanks logged three saves in eight outings with a 9.00 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB over seven frames.

Burdi completed a perfect one-third of an inning to record a hold in Friday's 2-0 win against Tampa Bay.

Burdi came off the injured list Friday after missing three weeks due to right hip inflammation. He was called upon in the seventh frame to face Richie Palacios with two outs and a runner on first base, and the right-hander threw three pitches before Isaac Paredes was thrown out attempting to steal to end the inning. Burdi has yet to give up a run over 6.2 frames this season, and he's collected three holds along with a victory across eight outings.

Chafin (2-1) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out to take the loss Friday against the Astros.

Chafin came on in the eighth inning with Detroit up 2-1 but he couldn't hold Houston in check and got saddled with his first loss of the season. The lefty has now allowed runs in consecutive appearances, which has pushed his ERA from 1.35 to 3.86. That's closer to the 4.73 ERA Chafin posted with Arizona and Milwaukee last year, though he was better in his last stint with the Tigers back in 2022, when he posted a 2.83 ERA.

Jax gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Friday while striking out one, recording his fifth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Jhoan Duran got the call in the eighth inning to face the top of Toronto's order, leaving the ninth for Jax, but Jax ran into trouble with two outs after a Bo Bichette single kicked off a Jays rally. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has been using Duran as a relief ace rather than a pure closer and Duran has three saves and three holds in six appearances since coming off the IL in late April, but Jax hasn't been the sole beneficiary of the available opportunities -- Caleb Thielbar and Cole Sands have also picked up saves since Duran's season debut. Brock Stewart (shoulder) could also end up in that mix once he gets healthy. Jax has a 3.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 17.2 innings on the season, and while Duran should see the majority of the save chances for the Twins, his main understudy could creep into the low double digits in saves by the time the season is done.

Duran walked one batter in a scoreless eighth inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander once again got used as a fireman rather than a closer, facing the top of the Toronto order in the eighth rather than being held back for the ninth. Griffin Jax wound up giving up a run in ninth but still came away with the save. Duran has three saves and three holds in six appearances since coming off the IL on April 30, and he's been lights out in general, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB through six innings. His usage could hurt his fantasy value in standard 5x5 roto or points formats that count saves but not holds, but Twins manager Rocco Baldelli isn't likely to change up how he deploys Duran as long as it keeps working.

Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect seventh inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

The 35-year-old reliever didn't exactly get deployed in the highest-leverage spot, as he faced Arizona's 8-9-1 hitters, but Kimbrel got the job done on an efficient 12 pitches (eight strikes). He topped out at 94.5 mph with his fastball -- he averaged 95.9 mph last season -- and it was only the second time in Kimbrel's last seven appearances that he avoided giving up a run. Yennier Cano got the save in the ninth inning, and that figures be the arrangement for a while until Kimbrel demonstrates his struggles are behind him, although other relievers like Danny Coulombe could also be in the saves mix. Over those last seven appearances, Kimbrel has a 10.13 ERA, 3.19 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB in 5.1 innings.

Cano gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Craig Kimbrel worked the seventh inning and faced the bottom of the Arizona order, a strong sign that at least for the moment, manager Brandon Hyde is focused on building the veteran closer's confidence back up rather than throwing him into the fire in the ninth. Due to Kimbrel's recent struggles, Cano has picked up both his 2024 saves in his last three appearances, but Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe have also collected saves in the last couple weeks, although the former's came in the 12th inning. Even if the O's turn to a committee to protect leads at the end of games, Cano figures to see the majority of save chances until Kimbrel proves he's ready to resume his usual role.

Abreu threw a scoreless eighth inning while allowing one hit and striking out three to record a hold Friday against the Tigers.

Ryan Pressly (back) hasn't pitched since May 3, leaving Abreu as Houston's primary setup man. He blew the lead in his first opportunity in the role Sunday, but he performed well in Friday's appearance to tally his sixth hold of the season. Since allowing six earned runs across his first 5.2 innings of the campaign, Abreu has allowed only five earned runs across his last 15.2 frames.