MLB Player News

Keller allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks with no strikeouts across three innings Tuesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.

Keller pitched as a traditional starter May 1, but he was shifted back to the bullpen after Mike Clevinger was promoted to the majors. Keller pitched effectively in his return to relief and followed Mike Soroka into the game. However, due to his lack of strikeouts and relatively low win potential, Keller isn't likely to generate much fantasy intrigue.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that the team will discuss whether Fairbanks (arm) will be activated or make another rehab appearance, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks allowed two hits but completed a scoreless inning with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. He averaged 97.3 mph with his four-seamer in the appearance, which is up a bit from his season average. It sounds like Fairbanks could be back as soon as the weekend series against the Yankees, but that decision hasn't been announced yet.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that McClanahan (elbow) is "progressing well" and has ramped up his throwing off flat ground to 90 feet, MLB.com reports.

The left-hander is still in the early stages of his recovery from his second career Tommy John surgery, which he underwent Aug. 21, 2023. The Rays are preparing for McClanahan to miss the entire 2024 season, though a return in September hasn't been completed discounted if the rehab process goes smoothly for the 27-year-old southpaw.

Bradley (pectoral) is likely to make his season debut Friday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He'll slide into the rotation spot vacated by Ryan Pepiot (leg), who is expected to be placed on the IL. Bradley has been out all season with a right pectoral strain but looked terrific in two rehab starts, most recently striking out eight over six frames of one-run ball with Triple-A Durham on May 3. The right-hander posted a 5.59 ERA but had an impressive 129:39 K:BB across 104.2 innings for the Rays last season.

Rasmussen (elbow) is progressing well in his recovery from the hybrid internal brace procedure he underwent July 24, 2023 and is scheduled to pitch in a game at extended spring training May 20, MLB.com reports.

Rasmussen already had two Tommy John surgeries on his resume before opting for the brace procedure last July, and he's seemingly bounced back from his latest elbow operation as well as the Rays could have hoped less than 10 months into his recovery. Since the Rays have already pinpointed a target date for him to pitch in a game -- albeit in a controlled environment -- Rasmussen is seemingly at the point in his rehab that he's facing hitters in live batting practice. The 28-year-old is likely targeting a return from the 60-day injured list in August or September.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Devenski (knee) has resumed playing catch since being placed on the 15-day injured list April 29, MLB.com reports.

Cash noted that Devenski could soon be ready to throw off a mound "if the knee calms down." Devenski was deactivated last week due to right knee tendinitis, but the Rays are optimistic that the reliever won't miss extensive time.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that the Rays are "likely" to place Pepiot on the 15-day injured list after the right-hander took a 107.5 mile-per-hour line drive off his left leg in Sunday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Mets, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He'll likely be replaced in the Tampa Bay rotation by Taj Bradley (pectoral), who is on track to return from the IL to start this weekend against the Yankees. Pepiot isn't dealing with any structural damage to his leg after both an X-ray and CT scan came back negative, so he could be ready to return from the IL in the minimum 15 days once any lingering pain and soreness subsides. Over his seven starts this season, Pepiot has gone 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB across 36.2 innings.

Slaten (2-1) was tagged with Tuesday's loss, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one in a 4-2 loss to Atlanta.

Slaten has pitched well out of the bullpen, allowing just two runs over his first 19 innings, but the heart of Atlanta's order got to him for that many in the eighth inning. Ozzie Albies worked hi for a six-pitch walk to lead off the inning -- just the third walk allowed -- then Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna followed with hits. Slaten has a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP over 20 innings.

Weissert retired the lone batter faced in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Atlanta.

Weissert stranded a runner when he got Ronald Acuna on a force out to end the seventh inning. It was the eighth consecutive scoreless outing for Weissert, who has excelled as part a bullpen that ranks eighth in the majors with a 3.38 ERA. The right-hander sports a 1.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and three walks over 15.1 innings.

Duran went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Atlanta.

Duran's line Tuesday was similar to his previous game Sunday, when he logged a double and triple in a win over the Twins, only he didn't score against Atlanta. That's partially due to Boston's woeful 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position (13 LOB). Duran's done a good job of not letting any slumps linger -- the bane of his first two seasons in the majors -- and is batting .267/.339/.420 over 168 plate appearances. Tuesday's triple, his sixth, vaulted him to the top of MLB.