MLB Player News

Castillo (0-1) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Castillo was sent to the minors after the Royals acquired him in a trade with Toronto on Aug. 2, but he made only two starts before Kansas City called him up. Though he took the loss Thursday, the right-hander pitched well, throwing 48 of 69 pitches for strikes and keeping the Rays off the scoreboard after Yandy Diaz tagged him for a leadoff homer in the first inning. Given his success in the outing, Castillo will likely get more turns in the rotation for a Kansas City team that is already looking ahead to next season.

Patino (1-1) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Patino was called up from the minors earlier in the day and impressed in his first big-league start in nearly a month. The right-hander fanned only four batters but racked up 16 swinging strikes among his 86 pitches. He didn't surrender any extra-base hits and allowed only one runner to reach second base. The Rays are in the midst of a busy schedule, so Patino could take another turn in the rotation after his strong outing Thursday.

Winckowski (5-6) took the loss Thursday in Pittsburgh, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two in five innings.

Winckowski took Nathan Eovaldi's (neck/shoulder) spot in the rotation Thursday and was greeted with a two-run blast by Bryan Reynolds in the first. Pittsburgh tacked on two more runs in the third and Reynolds tagged Winckowski with another two-run shot in the fifth. In five starts since the All-Star break, the 24-year-old has a 6.46 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, six homers allowed and a 10:7 K:BB in 23.2 innings. He's punched out two or fewer batters in five of his last seven starts.

Strahm (wrist) expects to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against the Orioles, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Strahm has been sidelined for just over a month due to a bruised left wrist, but he made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday and struck out one in a scoreless inning. The southpaw should be in the mix for setup duties once he's officially activated.

Stiever (lat) is throwing bullpen sessions at the White Sox's spring training facility in Arizona, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since undergoing lat surgery in August of last year, and he could be available down the stretch for the White Sox. Stiever may soon advance to throwing live batting practice, and he could start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Yacabonis was designated for assignment by the Rays on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Yacabonis was claimed off waivers by the Rays in early August after being cast off the Marlins' 40-man roster, but he gave up four runs in 3.2 innings over four appearances with Tampa Bay. He'll now lose his spot on the Rays' 40-man roster, and it's not yet clear whether he'll find another landing spot via waivers.

Patino was recalled from Triple-A Durham ahead of Thursday's start against the Royals, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Patino was sent to the minors July 23, and he posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 9.2 innings over three starts following his demotion. The Rays are in the midst of a stretch in which they're playing 17 games in 17 days, so the right-hander will return to the big leagues to start Thursday's home matchup. It's not yet clear whether Patino will make another turn through the rotation following Thursday's outing, and it's possible that the decision will be made based on how he performs against Kansas City.

Payamps was designated for assignment by the Royals on Thursday.

Payamps was reinstated from the bereavement list Wednesday but has now lost his spot on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old has a 3.16 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB across 42.2 innings this year.

The Royals recalled Castillo from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. He'll start the Royals' series opener at Tampa Bay.

Castillo will fill the vacancy in the rotation that was created when manager Mike Matheny moved Brad Keller to the bullpen Wednesday. One of two prospects the Royals acquired from the Blue Jays in the deadline deal that sent Whit Merrifield to Toronto, Castillo will be joining the Royals for the first time after he allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks in 3.2 innings over his initial two outings at Omaha. He performed far better in nine appearances (two starts) at the big-league level with Toronto earlier this season, turning in a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings. Unless he flops badly Thursday, Castillo is likely to make multiple turns through the rotation as the Royals look to assess whether he fits into their long-term nucleus.

Bummer (shoulder) completed a 26-pitch bullpen session Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The side session was Bummer's second since he was placed on the injured list June 12 with a left lat strain, but he incorporated his full arsenal Thursday for the first time. Bummer will still require another bullpen session and a simulated game or two as he works to build up his velocity, but if he remains free of setbacks during the ramp-up process, he could be ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of August. Before landing on the IL, the lefty reliever posted a 3.06 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB in 17.2 innings while collecting one save and nine holds.