Tampa Bay Rays claim Daniel Nava off waivers

The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed outfielder Daniel Nava off waivers from the Boston Red Sox and optioned outfielder Mikie Mahtook to triple-A Durham.

The switch-hitting Nava, 32, batted .152 in 29 games with Boston this season. He also missed 48 games while spending nearly two months on the disabled list with a left thumb sprain.

Nava hit .267 with 23 homers and 169 runs batted in over portions of five seasons with the Red Sox.

Severino debuts

Luis Severino impressed players on both sides during his much-anticipated debut for the New York Yankees. The pitching prospect just didn’t get much support from those in his own dugout in a 2-1 loss at home to the Boston Red Sox.

Severino, 21, yielded only two hits over five encouraging innings. He struck out seven and walked none.

“He’s got poise. I told you I didn’t think his surroundings would affect him a whole lot. We saw that in spring training,” Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said.

Severino (0-1) threw 94 pitches, flashing a 97-mph fastball and sharp slider. The right-hander began the season in double A, then went 7-0 with a 1.91 earned-run average in 11 starts at triple A.

Etc.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez has dropped his appeal of a three-game suspension for throwing at Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar in Sunday in a victory over the Royals. ... The Chicago Cubs placed right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano on the 15-disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder. Left-hander Clayton Richard signed as a free agent, two days after being designated for assignment, and will work out of the bullpen. ... The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned rookie right-hander Zack Godley to double-A Mobile and recalled right-handed reliever Allen Webster from triple-A Reno. Godley (3-0, 1.50 ERA) became just the second pitcher in club history to win in his first three outings. But with reliever Josh Collmenter throwing 8 1/3 innings in two recent outings, Webster adds bullpen depth.