MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Fairbanks (finger) is available for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander was unavailable Monday due to a cut on his index finger, but he's good to go for Tuesday's contest. Fairbanks was reinstated from the injured list Saturday and delivered a scoreless frame in his lone appearance since being activated.

The Pirates designated Fleming for assignment Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Fleming was torched for six runs (five earned) during Monday's win over the Brewers, causing his ERA to skyrocket from 3.50 to 5.68 on the season. Although his most recent outing was rough, his solid start to the season may still attract interest from other teams in need of bullpen depth. Ryder Ryan was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Topa underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a 25 percent tear in his left patellar tendon, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He'll be immobilized for the next week and isn't expected to resume throwing for another six weeks.

After getting a second opinion on the knee injury, Topa will forgo surgery, but he's still need considerable rest and rehab before being ready to make his season debut. He's currently using crutches and will spent the next week recovering from a platelet-rich plasma injection before he kicks off his ramp-up program. Topa appeared to be on the cusp of rejoining the Twins, but felt discomfort in his knee following the fourth appearance of his rehab assignment May 5 with Triple-A St. Paul and now appears unlikely to be ready for activation until sometime in July.

Lucas was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Lucas has bounced between the majors and Triple-A during May. He's allowed at least one run in each of his three MLB appearances, including a four-run (three earned) outing Monday across 1.1 innings.

An MRI confirmed Alzolay is dealing with a right flexor strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Alzolay was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday and imaging has confirmed the initial diagnosis. He will be shut down for five days before being reevaluated. Most likely, the injury is going to require longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Hector Neris will continue to serve as the Cubs' primary ninth-inning option.

Kahnle (shoulder) will continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset.

After pitching two perfect innings at Single-A Tampa, Kahnle will bump up a level for the next step in his rehab. It's expected that Kahnle will need at least five appearances in the minors before joining the big league roster.

Keller will replace Michael Soroka in the White Sox's starting rotation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Keller will replace the 0-5 Michael Soroka in the ChiSox starting quintet, putting him between Mike Clevinger and Chris Flexen at the back end of Chicago's rotation. Keller went 4.2 innings and threw 102 pitches in a start on May 3 and has logged at least three innings in both appearances since, so he shouldn't be under much of a pitch count, if any. The 28-year-old has cruised to a 2.84 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 12.2 innings this season and is lined up to make a start Saturday against the Yankees.

The White Sox recalled Anderson from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Anderson will serve as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals. The right-hander has allowed two runs over 2.1 innings across two appearances during his brief time with the White Sox this season. He is likely to be sent back down to Charlotte after Tuesday's twin bill.

Smith (shoulder) is slated to be activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith is done with his rehab as he comes back from right shoulder inflammation. He had been slated to return Tuesday, but the Mets have elected to hold him back one more day. Smith has posted a 2.70 ERA and 11:7 K:BB over 10 relief innings this season.

Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for new acquisition Tyson Miller. Lovelady had allowed five runs over his last four appearances before being booted off the roster.