MLB Player News

Betances (lat) threw to hitters Saturday and is scheduled to do so again Tuesday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Betances threw 22 pitches -- including breaking pitches -- during Saturday's session in Tampa and reported feeling well. Due to Hurricane Dorian, he'll head to Yankee Stadium for his next session Tuesday. If Betances continues to progress in his rehab, he could return to the big club in mid-September.

Littell was recalled by the Twins on Sunday.

Littell has split time between Triple-A Rochester and the major-league club this season. In Minnesota, he's managed a 3.60 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 22 strikeouts across 25 innings out of the bullpen.

The Athletics reinstated Manaea (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Yankees.

The 27-year-old will be making his first appearance for Oakland in over a year after a long recovery from major shoulder surgery. Manaea looked plenty healthy during his eight rehab appearances in the minors prior to being activated, notably posting a 1.53 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB in 17.2 innings over his final three outings with Triple-A Las Vegas. He worked up to 99 pitches in his most recent outing Aug. 23 and isn't expected to face significant workload restrictions as he toes the rubber for Oakland for the first time in 2019.

The Twins recalled Smeltzer from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Smeltzer has bounced between the big-league team and Triple-A all season, with his last appearance for the Twins coming on Aug. 15. He's worked both out of the rotation and the bullpen, racking up a 4.00 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 27 strikeouts across 36 innings of work. He's likely to serve as a reliever capable of working multiple innings but could factor into the rotation with Kyle Gibson (ulcerative colitis) landing on the injured list Sunday.

Graterol had his contract selected by the Twins on Sunday.

Graterol spent most of the season with Double-A Pensacola, working primarily as a starter and racking up a 1.78 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 21 walks across 50.2 innings. He most recently pitched out of the bullpen with Triple-A Rochester, a role he's likely to fill with the Twins. Known for the velocity on his fastball, Graterol could immediately rack up a notable amount of strikeouts at the major-league level.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Orioles, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out six.

The right-hander labored to record 14 outs, tossing only 46 of 82 pitches for strikes, and Lopez exited the game on the hook for his eighth loss of the year before Kansas City rallied in the late innings. Lopez is expected to take his 6.61 ERA and 95:38 K:BB through 98 innings back to the bullpen once Danny Duffy (hamstring) rejoins the rotation in September.

Burke had a no-decision Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over six innings in a 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Burke turned in another quality start, his third in three tries since joining the Rangers. He becomes the first Texas pitcher to work six-plus innings while holding opponents to two runs or fewer in his first three starts. The left-hander with a 1.50 ERA will look for his first win Friday in Baltimore.

Lopez (8-12) allowed six runs on six hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning and was handed the loss Saturday to the Braves.

Lopez nearly got out of the first inning with one run allowed, but a Tyler Flowers infield chopper bounced off the third base bag, giving him enough time to beat the throw. Three more hits followed and Lopez was done. Chicago's most consistent starter in 2018 has had trouble this season but appeared to have righted himself since the All-Star break. Lopez pitched to a 2.82 ERA in nine starts following the break before Saturday's short outing. He's next scheduled to throw Thursday on the road against the Indians.

Pagan had one strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner as he recorded the final two outs to earn the save Saturday against Cleveland.

Pagan never should have been needed Saturday as the Rays started the eighth inning with a 9-2 lead, but he was nonetheless called upon to finish the game and did so with only eight pitches. The 28-year-old has converted 16 of 23 save opportunities with a 2.34 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 81:12 K:BB over 57.2 innings.

Beeks (6-3) earned the win Saturday against the Indians after allowing four hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out one and walked none.

Beeks worked as the primary pitcher Saturday but had to enter with a runner on first base during the second inning, and he ended up with his shortest outing since June 21 despite not giving up a run. The 26-year-old has a 4.41 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB through 98 innings and should next pitch during the four-game set against the Blue Jays next weekend.