LHP Xavier Cedeno struggled in relief, coming in with a 1-0 lead and allowing both inherited runners to score, giving up two hits in 1/3 of an inning. Between Thursday's loss and Sunday's, the Rays' bullpen has allowed 13 runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

Cedeno made his return to the team Sunday against the Orioles, where he faced a single batter, Chris Davis, and forced a ground out to first base.

Even though it's only one batter, this still says something about Cedeno's current role in the bullpen. The Rays called upon him in the ninth inning to face one of the most dangerous home run threats in baseball. He isn't likely to see more of these after Jake Mcgee comes back, but he does seem to be the top left-hander out of the bullpen for now.

Cedeno (side) is expected to be available for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays have held Cedeno out for the last week-plus with side tightness, but the time off was all he needed to get over the issue. The lefty has been stellar for the Rays since coming over from the Nationals via trade. He's supplied a 1.86 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts over 38.2 innings.

Cedeno (left side) will throw to batter Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's a little late for Cabrera to rehab on a minor league team with a helpful amount of talent, so throwing to batters represents more of a step forward than usual in this process. He and Jake McGee (knee) are basically in a race to get healthy and become the Rays' top option on the left side, but Mcgee will be the more used player when both are back.

Cedeno (side) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cedeno has been out since Sept. 5 with the injury, but after a full week off, his condition appears to have improved. Sunday's throwing session will just amount to a test run for Cedeno to affirm he's fully healthy, and if all goes well, he could return to the Rays bullpen later this week.

Cedeno could be out for the weekend with tightness in his left side, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

If he has to miss time, the Rays will be without their current top lefty reliever, as Jake McGee is also still sidelined. Cedeno is putting the wraps on an excellent season with the Rays, with a 1.86 ERA in 38.2 innings while mostly working partial innings.

Cedeno earned his first save of the season Tuesday, converting the final two outs against the Braves.

Cedeno surrendered a hit after relieving Brandon Gomes, but ultimately needed just five pitches to clinch the game. Neither Jake McGee nor Brad Boxberger entered the game Tuesday, opening the door for Cedeno's save.

Since joining Tampa Bay, Cedeno has 2.91 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched and has held lefties to a .236/.288/.273 slash line.

Going into the All-Star break, Cedeno has been exactly what the Rays likely wanted as they picked him up from Washington: a guy who can shut down lefties and hold down a full inning on occasion. Jake McGee will still be Tampa Bay's primary lefty-specialist, but Cedeno should still be useful this season.

Cedeno has a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings across 18 appearances with Tampa Bay so far in 2015.

Cedeno's role has so far been a highly situational reliever deployed in the sixth and seventh inning by the Rays. He's never been a real lefty specialist, which hasn't changed since he's seen 34 left-handed batters to 29 right-handers in 2015. The Rays seem to prefer him seeing lefties, but not enough to deploy him in later innings against elite left-handed hitters. His ERA figures to regress up to his current 4.04 FIP, but the low-inning nature of his role with the Rays means he could easily put up a lucky, low-sample year.

Cedeno was added to the 40-man roster Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays acquired Cedeno from the Dodgers on Monday, and he'll primarily provide depth out of the bullpen. In a corresponding move, Tampa Bay designated Everett Teaford for assignment Tuesday afternoon.

Cedeno was traded to the Rays on Monday for cash considerations.

Cedeno will now be on the Rays' 40-man roster with the trade, providing the club with some organizational depth in the bullpen. He'll likely report to the team's Triple-A Durham affiliate, and will end up pushing someone off the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

Cedeno was designated for assignment Friday.

The Dodgers selected the contract of Sergio Santos on Friday and needed to make room on the 40-man roster. Assuming Cedeno clears waivers he will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Cedeno will be on the Dodgers' roster immediately, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Cedeno was acquired by the Dodgers Wednesday for cash considerations. He has two blown save opportunities so far this season with the Nationals. It is unknown what role he will have immediately with the Dodgers.

Cedeno was traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers for cash considerations Wednesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Cedeno will likely report to the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, but will now be part of the club's 40-man roster. The team designated Daniel Corcino for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster.

Cedeno was designated for assignment Tuesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Cedeno made the Opening Day roster, but he has already been charged with a pair of blown saves. He'll be replaced in the bullpen by right-hander Rafael Martin, leaving Matt Thornton as the Nationals' only southpaw. Given his excellent numbers for Triple-A Syracuse in 2014, Cedeno could draw interest from other teams. If he does find a new home, he'll likely still be used in low or medium-leverage situations.

Cedeno has been removed from the Nationals' 25-man roster, James Wagner of the Washington Post reports.

The southpaw probably also lost his spot on the 40-man, as he's being replaced on the big-league roster by right-handed Rafael Martin. Both Cedeno and Martin put up dominant numbers out of the bullpen for Triple-A Syracuse last season, but Cedeno already has two blown saves in the majors this year. Assuming the lefty is designated for assignment, he could draw interest from other teams.

Cedeno has earned a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Cedeno's chances of making the roster dramatically increased following the Nationals' trade of Jerry Blevins, and Sunday's announcement makes it official. He'll serve in middle relief for manager Matt Williams, limiting his value from a fantasy perspective.

Monday's trade of Jerry Blevins increases Cedeno's chances of making the Opening Day roster.

If he does head north with the Nats, Cedeno would slot in as the second left-hander in the bullpen and would have limited fantasy value, although he does have some impressive strikeout numbers in the minors, including 57 K's in 39.1 innings at Triple-A last season. He's also posted a 9:4 K:BB ratio in nine innings this spring.

Cedeno was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

The 28-year-old lefty has turned in another fine season at the Triple-A level, with a 2.29 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 39.1 innings. Moreover, Cedeno's held opposing lefties to a minuscule .130 batting average, and while he's been good against righties as well (.180), he may be deployed primarily as a specialist over the final weeks.

Nationals optioned LHP Xavier Cedeno to Triple-A Syracuse.

Cedeno was only up on the Nationals' major league roster for Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He will head back to the Syracuse bullpen.