MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Van Eyk to the Florida Complex League on Friday.

Van Eyk covered five innings and allowed four runs in his first major-league start Wednesday versus the Orioles. He's being replaced on the roster by a fresh bullpen arm.

Gasper was removed from the first game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Cubs after the fifth inning due to an undisclosed injury, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gasper appeared to tweak something while striking out swinging in the bottom of the fifth inning, and he was removed from the contest when the Red Sox took the field for the top of the sixth. The club should have more information on Gasper's condition soon. He struck out in all three plate appearances Friday before departing.

Lagrange threw a live batting practice session Wednesday and is a possibility to pitch for the Yankees at some point during the postseason, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Lagrange returned for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last week with a scoreless frame after missing almost three months with a right shoulder sprain. The righty averaged 100.3 mph and topped out at 102.1 mph during last week's outing at SWB. Lagrange will continue to throw to stay available as a potential bullpen option for the Yankees in the postseason.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Rodriguez will pitch during Sunday's game against the Orioles, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear whether it will be a traditional start or bulk relief appearance, but in either case Rodriguez appears set to absorb the bulk of the innings in the regular-season finale. The rookie right-hander has made six starts at the big-league level this season, posting a 5.40 ERA and 21:16 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

Smith underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Aug. 31, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The procedure brings an end to Smith's season, after the right-hander struggled to bounce back upon hitting the injured list May 22 due to shoulder inflammation. Before being deactivated, Smith turned in a 3.18 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB across 17 innings over 13 appearances for Detroit. The 36-year-old righty is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agency this winter.

The Tigers announced Sept. 18 that Meadows (arm) has been taking part in a hitting progression at the team's spring training facility in Florida, MLB.com reports.

Meadows doesn't appear to be a realistic candidate to return from the 60-day injured list for the Tigers' final series of the season, but he could be in store for something close to a normal offseason. The 26-year-old outfielder slashed just .250/.308/.333 with three stolen bases, three runs and two RBI over 39 plate appearances with Detroit before hitting the shelf after sustaining a fractured left radius bone in his left arm and concussion during an on-field collision April 9.

Ryan is slated to start Sunday's game against the Pirates at Comerica Park, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Ryan will get a second turn through the rotation to close out the Tigers' season. After getting called up form Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Ryan started and struck out three batters over three shutout frames in a no-decision against the Nationals. He tossed 43 pitches in that outing and will once again be operating with a restricted workload Sunday, making him a risky option for fantasy managers streaming him with the hope of scooping up a win. Keider Montero or Jack Flaherty (forearm) could end up piggybacking Ryan in the season finale.

Weathers (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Weathers will be facing fellow rehabbers Giancarlo Stanton (calves) and Trent Grisham (hamstring) in the session. It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a left forearm flexor strain in late August. Weathers hopes to convince the Yankees he's ready to pitch in a relief role for the wild-card series.

Sears is expected to pitch out of the bullpen at some point during Friday's game against the Pirates, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Sears had started in each of his last three appearances, but he'll shift to a relief role to close out the campaign after he was roughed up for six unearned runs while retiring just two batters his last time out Friday against the White Sox. Over five total outings with Detroit this season, Sears has submitted a 5.19 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB across 17.1 frames.

Volpe will start at third base and will bat seventh in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Volpe played a few games at third base while at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, but this will be his first-ever start at the hot corner at the major-league level. The Orioles are sending lefty Trevor Rogers to the hill, and Volpe could wind up starting at third base over Ryan McMahon versus southpaws during the playoffs.