MLB Player News

Thornton was removed early in his start Sunday against the Rays with right elbow inflammation. He worked around two hits and struck out two over a scoreless first inning before departing.

According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, manager Charlie Montoyo was hoping that Thornton would at least be able to cover two innings Sunday in his second start since returning from the injured list, but the right-hander was unable to meet that low bar. The Blue Jays will presumably put him through further tests before deciding his next step, but Thornton could be headed back to the IL since it was elbow inflammation that had previously forced his shutdown earlier this month. Anthony Kay came on in long relief for Thornton and could be a candidate to fill the vacancy in the rotation if Thornton is forced to miss time.

The Rays selected Fleming's contract from their alternate site ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Blue Jays, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Tampa Bay cleared a spot for Fleming on the 40-man roster and 28-man active roster by designating reliever Sean Gilmartin for assignment. The 24-year-old Fleming will be making his MLB debut Sunday and could be facing a limited pitch count, so he may not make for the most appealing target in DFS contests. His season-long fantasy upside may also be limited, as Fleming is a candidate to return to the alternate site after the start with Charlie Morton (shoulder) seemingly on track to come off the 10-day injured list next week to reclaim a spot in the Tampa Bay rotation.

The Rays placed Anderson on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right forearm inflammation, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Anderson becomes the ninth key Rays pitcher to head to the IL, and the most significant bullpen arm. Though manager Kevin Cash has leaned on multiple pitchers in save situations this season, Anderson has led the Rays' closer committee, converting all three of his save chances while tossing 9.1 scoreless innings and posting a 0.54 WHIP and 15:1 K:BB. While Anderson is sidelined, Diego Castillo now looks to be the best bet for saves out of the Tampa Bay bullpen.

Taylor allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Orioles.

Taylor was brought in to protect a two-run lead in the eighth inning and hand the game over to Matt Barnes in the ninth, but he surrendered a two-out, two-run home run to Anthony Santander. Taylor recently joined the Red Sox after missing the first part of the season due to COVID-19. He's seen as an important bullpen piece, one who manager Ron Roenicke mentioned as a candidate for saves after the Red Sox traded Brandon Workman, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Thus far, the two save chances that cropped up were handed to Barnes, who converted one and blew one.

Pivetta will stay at the alternate training site in Pawtucket while the team assesses how he can help the Red Sox in 2020, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta pitched in relief for the Phillies in 2020 before Boston acquired him, but he was a starter in Philadelphia prior to this season. The Red Sox have a desperate need for starting pitching, and it looks like they are going to evaluate the right-hander in Pawtucket for possible use in the rotation. "It's getting to know him, talking about what he thinks he needs to progress," Boston manager Ron Roenicke said. "We want him as a starter and he wants to start. [GM] Chaim [Bloom] and I talked this morning and we want to get to know him first before we figure out does he come join us and jump right in the rotation, or is it better for him to stay there for a little bit and work on some things?" Pivetta is 18-28 with a 5.42 ERA over 71 career starts.

Hearn allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over two innings in Saturday's 10-1 loss to the Mariners.

Hearn, who was recalled from the alternate camp Aug. 10, has been throwing out of the bullpen since joining the roster. He was in the mix for a rotation spot in summer camp and could be a candidate in the near term. Saturday's starter, Jordan Lyles, was removed after giving up eight runs and 11 hits in four innings, pushing his ERA to 9.25. If the Rangers consider a change in the rotation, Hearn would be an option.

Barnes (1-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out one to blow the save and take the loss Saturday against the Orioles.

Barnes was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning. The save chance had a higher degree of difficulty considering a runner began on second base, but he also struggled to find the strike zone, allowing one run to score on a wild pitch and also issuing a free pass. After a successful save conversion Friday, Barnes has worked in the closer role since Brandon Workman was dealt and should get the majority of save chances going forward, unless he runs into consistent struggles in the role.

Banda (1-0) picked up the win Saturday in a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays, walking one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

The southpaw was the seventh pitcher of the night for the Rays, and while Banda made things interesting by walking Cavan Biggio to lead off the 10th, he eventually cleaned up the mess by coaxing an inning-ending double play out of Travis Shaw. Banda has appeared in two games since being added to the roster and has collected a win and a three-inning save, but he doesn't seem a likely candidate for consistent high-leverage usage.

Lopez allowed two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out four across 3.1 innings Saturday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Lopez was fairly sharp in his return from a shoulder injury that caused him to miss nearly four weeks. He did struggle with his command, hitting and walking the first two batters he faced in the second inning, both of whom ultimately came around to score. Lopez managed to throw 50 pitches in his first start since July 26, racking up five swinging strikes and 11 called strikes. He should be able to increase his workload a bit for his next outing, currently projected to come Friday against Kansas City.

Bass (1-1) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 2-1 to the Rays in 10 innings, allowing an unearned run on a hit and an intentional walk in two-thirds of an inning.

Brought in to get the final out of the ninth inning in a tie game, Bass returned for the 10th but couldn't hold Tampa at bay with the speedy Manuel Margot beginning the frame at second base. Despite the stumble, the right-hander still has a 2.13 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 12.2 innings, but manager Charlie Montoyo's recent usage of him suggests Bass is just one of the high-leverage arms, along with Jordan Romano and perhaps a couple others, who could get regular save chances for Toronto over the final part of the season.