MLB Player News

Romano (finger) remains without a timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, but the Blue Jays expect to gain clarity on that front in the coming days, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

In a related note, manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Ken Giles (forearm) is nearing a return from the 45-day IL, so Romano doesn't look like he'll have a chance at re-entering the closer conversation even if he makes it back before the regular season ends Sept. 27. Before being diagnosed with a sprained right finger and landing on the IL, Romano had been the Jays' best reliever this season, posting a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB in 14.2 innings. Shortly before getting hurt, Romano appeared to settle in as the team's primary ninth-inning man after converting two of three save chances, but Toronto will lean on Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass as their main closing options until Giles is ready to retake the role.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Giles (forearm) is close to a return from the 45-day injured list and will likely be used "before the ninth [inning]" initially once he's activated, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Since Giles has been on the shelf since late July with a strained right forearm, Montoyo is understandably reluctant to immediately thrust the 29-year-old into his familiar closer role right away while the 24-19 Blue Jays look to protect their positioning in the AL playoff race. So long as Giles looks good in his first appearance or two upon coming off the IL, however, he should move back ahead of Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass in the pecking order for saves. Toronto hasn't yet put a firm target date on Giles' return from the IL, but his activation could come as soon as this weekend.

Weber improved to 1-2 after working 2.1 innings out of the bullpen and giving up a run on two hits and a walk while striking out four in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

Weber had started in his last two appearances and fared respectably, but due to a pair of off days this week (Monday and Wednesday) and the expected return of Nathan Eovaldi (calf) from the injured list this weekend, the 30-year-old right-hander was available out of the bullpen. He came on in relief of starter Mike Kickham in the bottom of the fifth and was able to preserve Boston's one-run lead, picking up his first win of the season in the process. Weber will likely slot back into the rotation in next week's series with the Marlins when a fifth starter is needed again.

Hendriks picked up the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over Houston, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner.

The right-hander has now tossed a scoreless frame three days in a row, picking up a pair of saves and a win along the way. Hendriks has a remarkable 30:3 K:BB to go along with a 1.33 ERA and a major-league leading 12 saves.

Jimenez allowed three earned runs on two hits while recording just two outs in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Jimenez had looked a little better recently with a 3.86 ERA over his last six appearances (4.2 innings) entering play Thursday, but as has been the case too often this season, he was hit hard in the matinee. The former Detroit closer fell victim to two home runs, and he's now given up seven long balls in just 15 innings this year. With an ugly 10.80 ERA, Jimenez is likely to remain in a lower-leverage role for the Tigers, while Bryan Garcia, Jose Cisnero and Gregory Soto share save opportunities.

Cisnero (2-2) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts to earn the win in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Cisnero came on for the last out of the fifth and then pitched the sixth, while Bryan Garcia pitched the seventh for the save after the Tigers staged a late rally. Nobody has really taken the closer role and run with it in Detroit, so for now, Cisnero, Garcia and Gregory Soto will likely continue to share save opportunities.

Fleming allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five across 4.1 innings Thursday against the Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Fleming allowed a pair of home runs that sunk his performance and accounted for all three of his earned runs. Though he has yet to take a loss, Fleming has allowed seven earned runs and 13 hits across his last 9.1 frames spanning two starts. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently projected to come Wednesday against Washington.

Barnes allowed one walk but struck out two across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Rays.

Barnes entered the game in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He walked the leadoff batter, but struck out two of next three batters he faced to end the contest and earn his fifth save of the campaign. Though he's been shaky, Barnes is the clear closer in Boston and should continue to see save chances.

Garcia will serve as the opener for Friday's game against the Athletics, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Jordan Lyles will follow Garcia as the primary pitcher for the Rangers. The tandem combined to allow three runs across six innings during the team's Sept. 1 win over the Astros.

Manaea (4-2) picked up the win Thursday against Houston, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four across seven innings. He did not issue a walk.

Manaea was beyond efficient in Thursday's outing, tossing just 61 pitches while allowing two hits and no walks over seven frames. He retired the first 15 hitters he faced before allowing a run on a pair of hits in the sixth. The southpaw certainly could have gone deeper into the tilt, but Oakland manager Bob Melvin opted to hand the final two innings to Jake Diekman and Liam Hendriks, likely due to the fact that both relievers are enjoying fantastic campaigns. After a poor start to his season, Manaea has now won each of his last four starts while allowing just six earned runs across 27.1 innings. He will look to stay on a roll when he takes the ball Tuesday in Colorado.