MLB Player News

Rasmussen is expected to handle a typical starter's workload when he makes his next turn through the rotation July 22 versus the White Sox in Tampa, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In an effort to keep his season-long workload under 150 innings after he underwent his third major right elbow surgery in July 2023, Rasmussen was limited to three, two and two innings in his final three starts prior to the All-Star break. In the latter two outings, the Rays deployed Joe Boyle in bulk relief behind him, but Rasmussen looks like he'll be in line for a standalone start in his first appearance of the second half. With Rasmussen sitting at 91.1 innings on the season, the Rays are still likely to manage his workload to some degree over the next two and a half months, but he should remain usable in most fantasy leagues so long as he's covering around five or six frames in his starts. Rasmussen owns a modest 21.7 percent strikeout rate for the season but has provided an excellent 2.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while gathering seven wins through 19 outings.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Rodriguez (forearm) has returned to Tampa and is scheduled to meet with a doctor Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Initially placed on the injured list June 11 due to a right forearm strain, Rodriguez was pulled from his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday after he experienced right elbow soreness and noticed a stark decline in velocity. The Rays will likely decide on a treatment plan for Rodriguez once he meets with a doctor, but as a result of the setback, he won't be on track to return from the IL coming out of the All-Star break.

McClanahan (triceps) struck out three batters and allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks over 1.2 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

After kicking off his rehab assignment Tuesday with a one-inning outing in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, McClanahan moved up to the Rays' top affiliate for his second outing. The 28-year-old southpaw needed 36 pitches just to record five outs, but he made use of all four of his offerings and averaged 94 miles per hour with his fastball. McClanahan will stick around with Durham and will likely make at least two more rehab starts before the Rays consider bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. He hasn't pitched in a game in the majors since Aug. 2, 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery later that year and then being shut down this spring due to left triceps nerve irritation.

The Rays announced June 30 that Bigge (lat/face) was cleared to resume "low-effort" baseball activities, MLB.com reports.

Initially placed on the injured list May 6 due to a right lat strain, Bigge suffered an unrelated setback June 19, when he was struck in the face by a line drive while he was watching a game from the dugout. Bigge sustained multiple fractures as a result of the incident and underwent surgery a day later before being released from the hospital. Though Bigge hasn't been shut down from activity, the Rays haven't indicated when he'll be ready to initiate a throwing program. The reliever still looks to be multiple weeks away from returning from the 15-day injured list.

Triple-A Toledo placed Brieske on its 7-day injured list Thursday due to an unspecified injury.

Brieske's move to the IL came just a couple days after he retired just one batter while allowing five earned runs on two hits and three walks in a relief appearance for Toledo. Before he was optioned to Triple-A on June 12, Brieske logged a 6.55 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 22 innings out of the Tigers bullpen.

Triple-A Toledo placed Smith on its 7-day injured list Thursday due to an unspecified injury.

After being optioned to Toledo on July 2, Smith made just one appearance for the Triple-A club before landing on the IL. The 25-year-old right-hander maintains a 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB in 26.2 innings between Toledo and Double-A Erie this season.

Gipson-Long (neck) struck out five and allowed no hits and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Toledo.

Pitching for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list July 2 due to a neck strain, Gipson-Long showed no ill effects of the injury while needing just 59 pitches to retire 14 batters. The Tigers haven't decided on the next steps for Gipson-Long, and though he isn't fully stretched out yet, the team could be willing to have him bypass another rehab start and return as a bulk reliever when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up following the All-Star break. Keider Montero finished the first half as Detroit's fifth starter but doesn't have a firm grasp on the role.

The Mariners optioned Saucedo to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Saucedo took Carlos Vargas' spot on the 26-man active roster for a few days while the latter was on paternity leave, but with Vargas getting reinstated Monday, Saucedo will head back to the minors. The lefty reliever has permitted four runs with a 4:3 K:BB across 4.2 frames with the big club this season.

The Mariners reinstated Vargas (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Vargas was unavailable for the Mariners' final three games before the All-Star break while welcoming a new addition to the family, but he will be back in the bullpen for the start of the second half. The 25-year-old has posted a 3.43 ERA and 32:19 K:BB over 44.2 innings this season.

The Yankees claimed Garcia off waivers from the Mets on Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Garcia tossed 4.2 scoreless frames with the Mets after getting called up from Triple-A Syracuse earlier this month, but he was nonetheless removed from their 40-man roster last week. He is out of options, so the reliever will go directly onto the Yankees' active roster as a bullpen arm.