• Blows save, earns win
    Fairbanks (2-3) blew a save but earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on two hits over two innings against the Twins. He struck out one.

    Advice: Fairbanks was not needed to start the ninth due to the Rays holding a four-run lead, but a leadoff homer followed by the next two runners reaching base created a save situation. After inducing a couple of quick outs, Jose Miranda tagged Fairbanks for a game-tying homer that sent the game to extras. Once the Rays regained the lead in the 10th, Fairbanks stayed in to close out his own victory. The blown save was the second of the season for Fairbanks, who ran the gamut during the series with the Twins, suffering the loss Tuesday followed by the blown save and subsequent win Thursday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:06 pm
  • Pete Fairbanks (thumb) blows save, gets victory
    Pete Fairbanks (thumb) blew a save while allowing a run against the Twins on Thursday, but worked two innings to get the victory.

    Advice: Fairbanks entered the game with a couple of runners on and Tampa Bay holding a 6-3 cushion. He was able to get the first two outs, but then gave up a game-tying homer to Jose Miranda to blow the save. He was able to get the final three outs after the Rays scored in the 10th, however, so he gets the win. The right-hander missed a couple of days while dealing with a thumb injury, so the positive is he was back on the mound and does at least get a win. Fairbanks is still likely to see save chances going forward even with a fair share of clunkers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:28 pm
  • Remains perfect in save conversions
    Yates earned a save against the Mets on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

    Advice: Yates protected a two-run Texas lead in the top of the ninth frame, retiring the side in order on 16 pitches. The veteran reliever is a perfect 11-for-11 in save chances this season -- no closer in baseball has converted more saves without blowing any opportunities. Yates hasn't given up more than one run in any of his 26 appearances, leading to a superb 1.03 ERA. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:28 pm
     
  • Secures 15th save
    Megill struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Angels.

    Advice: Megill needed just seven pitches (six strikes) against the middle of the Angels' order to close out this contest. He's pitched four of the last five days, but he's thrown just 12 pitches over his last two outings. He's now 15-for-16 in save chances with a 2.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 22.1 innings this season. If Megill is unavailable for Thursday's series opener versus the Padres due to his recent workload, a potential save chance would likely go to Joel Payamps or Hoby Milner. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:19 pm
  • Trevor Megill secures 15th save vs. Angels
    Trevor Megill struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to record the save against the Angels on Wednesday.

    Advice: Megill was summoned with a two-run lead in the ninth to close it out against the Angels. He made quick work of Los Angeles, needing only seven pitches to put them away with one strikeout for his 15th save of the season. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:05 pm
  • Kirby Yates secures 11th save
    Kirby Yates pitched a clean ninth inning with a strike out in a win over the Mets on Wednesday.

    Advice: Yates worked a pain-free ninth after struggling on Tuesday against this same Mets lineup in a tie game. He’s been one of the best closers in the league since earning the role in April with a sterling 1.03 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Rotoworld Wednesday, 7:53 pm
     
  • Should be available Thursday
    Fairbanks said his bruised right thumb "felt within the realm of good" after playing catch Wednesday, and he expects to be available for Thursday's series finale in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Advice: The right-hander departed Tuesday's contest after being struck in the thumb by a comebacker, but it appears he's avoided a serious injury. Jason Adam, Garrett Cleavinger and Colin Poche will likely all be in the mix if a save opportunity arises Wednesday, but Fairbanks should be back on the mound for the Rays within the next couple days. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 2:37 pm
  • Pete Fairbanks (thumb) expects to return Thursday
    Pete Fairbanks (thumb) played catch on Wednesday and noted that, “everything felt within the realm of good”.

    Advice: He won’t be available out of the Rays’ bullpen on Wednesday night, but he hopes that he’ll be ready to go on Thursday. Should a save situation arise on Wednesday, expect either Jason Adam or Garrett Cleavinger to get the nod. Rotoworld Wednesday, 2:31 pm
  • Takes part in pregame throwing
    Fairbanks (thumb) was spotted throwing long toss and playing catch on the field prior to Wednesday's game in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Advice: The Rays haven't disclosed whether Fairbanks will be available out of the bullpen Wednesday, but his ability to take part in some pregame throwing work one day after being lifted from his appearance in Tuesday's 7-6 loss at least offers hope that he'll avoid a stint on the injured list. After being struck in his pitching hand by a 103-mph comebacker off the bat of Carlos Correa, Fairbanks was diagnosed with a bruised right thumb after X-rays returned negative. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 1:23 pm