The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent right-handers Zack Burdi, Ben Heller and Heath Hembree to minor-league deals on Wednesday that include invites to major-league spring training. Burdi was once an intriguing relief prospect in the Chicago White Sox's organization, but injuries have held him back the last several years. The 27-year-old has only thrown 17 1/3 innings in the majors and has allowed 18 runs (15 earned). Heller, 31, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2020, although he has a 2.59 ERA (5.57 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP in 31 1/3 innings over four seasons with the Yankees. Hembree, 34, has by far the most experience of the trio (354 2/3 career relief innings) over 10 major-league seasons. He has a 4.39 career ERA (4.67 FIP), 1.39 WHIP, 11 saves and 25.4% strikeout rate in 357 relief appearances.

DETROIT (AP) — The Chicago White Sox demoted slumping slugger Yermín Mercedes on Friday and recalled Jake Burger from Triple-A Charlotte, putting the infielder in the majors after two Achilles tendon injuries and a stint with a local Missouri league. The AL Central-leading White Sox also reinstated outfielder Adam Eaton from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-hander Zack Burdi to their top farm club. Eaton had been sidelined by a strained right hamstring. Mercedes, 28, was one of baseball's biggest surprises early in the season, batting .415 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 22 games in April. In May, Mercedes angered manager Tony La Russa by homering on a 3-0 pitch in the ninth inning of a game the White Sox led 15-4. The rookie has struggled of late, hitting .150 (16 for 107) over his last 31 games. “We fully expect we will see him again at some point,” La Russa said. “He left here dedicated to getting his bat back on track.” The 25-year-old Burger was selected by Chicago with the... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Chicago White Sox demoted slumping slugger Yermín Mercedes on Friday and recalled Jake Burger from Triple-A Charlotte, putting the infielder in the majors after two Achilles tendon injuries and a stint with a local Missouri league. The AL Central-leading White Sox also reinstated outfielder Adam Eaton from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-hander Zack Burdi to their top farm club. Eaton had been sidelined by a strained right hamstring. Mercedes, 28, was one of baseball's biggest surprises early in the season, batting .415 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 22 games in April. In May, Mercedes angered manager Tony La Russa by homering on a 3-0 pitch in the ninth inning of a game the White Sox led 15-4. The rookie has struggled of late, hitting .150 (16 for 107) over his last 31 games. The 25-year-old Burger was selected by Chicago with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft out of Missouri State. He hit .322 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 42 games with Triple-A... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have postponed Friday night's game against the Chicago White Sox because of snow and rain. The series opener will be rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader on Sunday. Bostonians woke up Friday morning to an inch or two of snow in the city, with other areas of New England expecting as many as six inches. Rain and snow were expected to continue through the night. The Red Sox were returning home from their first trip of the season, seven games over eight days in Baltimore and Minnesota. After losing their first three games of the season, the Red Sox won nine in a row before losing to the Twins on Thursday. Boston will send Nick Pivetta to the mound Saturday against Dylan Cease in a matchup of right-handers. Cease was reinstated from the injured list Friday following a series of negative COVID-19 tests, and right-hander Zack Burdi was optioned to Chicago's alternate training site. Dallas Keuchel will start one of Sunday's games for the White Sox, and the team hasn't announced its other starter. Martín Pérez will start one of the doubleheader games for the Red Sox. Lucas Giolito pitches Monday against Boston's Nathan Eovaldi. Although the Boston Marathon has been postponed until October because of the pandemic, the series finale will be the traditional Patriots Day game, with an 11:10 a.m. first pitch. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox placed right-hander Dylan Cease on the injured list Wednesday in a precautionary move after he exhibited some symptoms associated with COVID-19. General manager Rick Hahn said Cease has not tested positive for COVID-19. “However, out of an abundance of caution, or arguably the appropriate amount of caution, we are going to keep Dylan away from the club until he can be cleared, based on the fact that he does have a couple of symptoms at this time,” Hahn said. “The length of Dylan's stay on the injured list is still to be determined. We're obviously hoping ... that it will be a brief one.” Right-hander Zack Burdi was recalled from the team's alternate site before its matchup with Cleveland. The 26-year-old Burdi made his big league debut last summer, going 0-1 with an 11.05 ERA in eight relief appearances. Cease, 25, has no record and a 3.86 ERA in two starts this year. He permitted one run in 4 2/3 innings during Sunday's 10-inning loss to the Royals. Cease's next turn in the rotation is scheduled for Friday at Boston. The team is hoping he can go, and coming up with a plan in case he isn't cleared to pitch against the Red Sox. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports