MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Scholtens allowed two runs over a four-inning relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. Since he would have been unavailable to pitch for a few days, the Rays are replacing Scholtens on the roster with a fresh reliever in Chris Roycroft.

The Rays recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roycroft has been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 17.1 frames out of the Rays' bullpen this season. He will give the Rays a fresh bullpen arm after the team's relievers covered 5.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

The Rays recalled Piper from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Piper picked up one hit (his first in the majors) in five plate appearances for the Rays earlier this season. He will serve as the team's No. 3 catcher.

The Rays are likely to place Mesa (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mesa aggravated a left hamstring injury in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. There's no word yet on the severity, but Mesa will need some time on the IL to recover. Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade could see increased reps in right field while Mesa is sidelined.

Way (back) allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.

Way returned to game action as he rehabs from low-back spasms and tightness, though his first rehab outing wasn't particularly sharp. He threw 16 of 24 pitches for strikes and uncorked a wild pitch. In 19 big-league appearances this season, Way has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Clarke (hamstring) went 0-for-2 with a strikeout with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Clarke began his rehab assignment for a left hamstring strain, going hitless at the plate while logging five innings defensively in center field. The Athletics plan to build up the 26-year-old on a spring training-like progression, per MLB.com, so he's likely to see extended reps in Triple-A before being activated from the 60-day injured list. Clarke has appeared in 22 big-league games this season, slashing .170/.228/.189 with no homers, six RBI, four runs and two stolen bases.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that Jones was scratched from the lineup ahead of Monday's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks due to left hip tightness, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Jones had been penciled in as the Red Sox's designated hitter and leadoff hitter for the series opener, but he was removed from the lineup since his hip was preventing him from turning his swing "fully loose," according to Tracy. The skipper downplayed any major concern about the injury, and the Red Sox are expecting Jones to be available the next time they face a left-handed starting pitcher.

Rutschman is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Diamondbacks.

After making five straight starts, Rustchman will get a breather during Wednesday's afternoon contest. Connor Wong will do the catching and will bat ninth as the Red Sox attempt to complete the series sweep.

Ryan (glute) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan tossed all sinkers and fastballs in the session, which represents a step forward in the right-hander's recovery from a mild left glute strain. Manager Derek Shelton came away pleased with how Ryan looked Tuesday but he was careful to note that the bullpen session was the "first step in the progression to getting him back." With that in mind, the Twins may want to see Ryan face live hitters before clearing him to return from the 15-day injured list.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

The Twins will give Jeffers a breather for Wednesday's matinee after he started behind the dish in the first two games of the series. Victor Caratini will handle catching duties and will bat eighth.