MLB Player News

The Rays reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

After logging a trio of rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham, Rodriguez returns to the big-league bullpen, replacing Jake Woodford. Rodriguez has made just four appearances for the Rays so far this season in between IL stints, after taking the ball 31 times for Tampa Bay last regular season.

The Rays designated Woodford for assignment Friday.

Woodford was called up Thursday to provide innings, and he ended up allowing three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 frames in the series finale against the Yankees. Manuel Rodriguez (back) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Blue Jays recalled Klein from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Klein has spent nearly all of the 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level, holding a 6.36 ERA and 95:51 K:BB over 86.1 innings. The 24-year-old will be available to absorb some innings this weekend as the Blue Jays close out the regular season.

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.

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 Yankees recalled Beck from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Beck is slated to start the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles. The 27-year-old has made one start and two relief appearances in the majors this season, yielding seven runs with a 5:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings. Beck had a terrific year with SWB, logging a 2.93 ERA and 151:40 K:BB over 135.1 frames covering 25 starts.

The Yankees recalled De Los Santos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

De Los Santos will provide manager Aaron Boone with a fresh bullpen arm ahead of Friday's doubleheader versus the Orioles. The 28-year-old reliever has managed a 1.35 ERA in 15 appearances out of the Yankees' bullpen this season, though that's come with an undesirable 15:8 K:BB.

Watson struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Mariners.

Ben Joyce (shoulder) is done for the year, so Watson is poised to handle the closing duties in the last series of 2026. The 28-year-old Watson has allowed just one run with an 11:1 K:BB over 8.1 innings in September. He's at a 4.00 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 65:23 K:BB across 72 innings between the Angels and the Red Sox this season. He's converted four of six save chances and added eight holds.

Barnett allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Thursday.

Barnett gave up a three-run home run to Lucas Spence and a solo shot to Isaac Paredes. The 25-year-old Barnett was most effective as a reliever this year while struggling in a starting role later in the campaign. He will likely end 2026 with a 7.02 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 50:30 K:BB over 50 innings across 20 games (six starts). He'll have minimal fantasy appeal as long as he's calling Sutter Health Park his home field in the majors.

Abreu allowed a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Josh Hader took the loss in a 44-pitch appearance Wednesday, which is why Abreu got the ball Thursday. Abreu has remained steady in September, allowing just three runs over 10 innings with a 12:2 K:BB this month. On the year, the veteran reliever has a 3.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 80:41 K:BB while converting nine of 11 save chances and adding 16 holds across 62.2 innings.