MLB Player News

Mengden is viewed as the most likely candidate to make a spot start for one game of the Athletics' weekend series with the Indians, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mike Fiers confirmed that he will be pushed back a day in the Oakland rotation after requiring 131 pitches to complete his second career no-hitter Tuesday against the Reds, leaving him unavailable for his scheduled turn Sunday versus the Seattle. Given that Mengden also pitched Tuesday for Triple-A Las Vegas, he makes for the most logical replacement for Fiers since he would be available Sunday on four days' rest. Mengden, who gave up just one run over six frames in his latest outing, owns a 2.77 ERA to go with 44 strikeouts and a .197 batting-average against in 39 innings on the season.

Mengden is viewed as the most likely candidate to make a spot start for one game of the Athletics' weekend series with the Indians, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mike Fiers confirmed that he will be pushed back a day in the Oakland rotation after requiring 131 pitches to complete his second career no-hitter Tuesday against the Reds, leaving him unavailable for his scheduled turn Sunday versus the Seattle. Given that Mengden also pitched Tuesday for Triple-A Las Vegas, he makes for the most logical replacement for Fiers since he would be available Sunday on four days' rest. Mengden, who gave up just one run over six frames in his latest outing, owns a 2.77 ERA to go with 44 strikeouts and a .197 batting-average against in 39 innings on the season.

Soto is expected to be recalled from Double-A Erie to serve as the Tigers' 26th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Per Beck, manager Ron Gardenhire said the Tigers would deploy their 26th man as the Game 2 starter, suggesting Soto will start the second half of Saturday's twin bill. Expectations should be tempered for the young left-hander, who figures to head back to Erie after his start, as he's pitched just 13.1 innings above High-A Lakeland. Across four starts between High-A and Double-A this season, Soto owns a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB in 17.1 innings.

Treinen (elbow) tossed two perfect frames and struck out two Wednesday in the Athletics' 5-4 win over the Reds in 13 innings.

Making his first appearance out of the bullpen in 10 days after a bout of right elbow tendinitis, Treinen entered the contest in the ninth inning of a tie ballgame and looked as sharp as ever. Per Brooks Baseball, Treinen's fastball and sinker averaged 98.6 and 98 miles per hour, respectively, both of which were slightly above his prior season averages of 98 and 97.5. That offers some optimism that Treinen can re-emerge as the dominant closer he was in 2018, so long as he can rein in the walks.

Betances (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

Betances had been on the 10-day IL all season and earlier in the week ruled himself out to return before the end of May. With that in mind, the move to the 60-day IL is merely a formality and won't have any bearing on his recovery timeline. Nestor Cortes was added to the 40-man roster in his stead and was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace the demoted Jake Barrett in the bullpen.

Johnson (elbow) said he experienced no soreness the day after throwing one inning in a simulated game Tuesday, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Johnson will play catch Friday, and the team will make a decision on the left-hander's next step. He could throw another simulated game or begin a rehab assignment.

The Astros are focused on McHugh's fastball command as the root cause of the recent downturn in his performance, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh was lit up by the Royals on Tuesday when he allowed seven hits and eight runs in three-plus innings, and the right-hander has a 12.00 ERA over his last four starts (0-3). "He has to be able to throw his fastball to his glove side a little better -- inside to lefties and away to righties," manager AJ Hinch said. "In the starts where he's had a hard time, he hasn't been able to get his fastball where he wants it, and that impacts his breaking ball." With his wavering fastball command, McHugh relies on his breaking pitches to get back into the count, Hinch noted. And by the second time through a lineup, opposing hitters know what to expect. McHugh will look for improved results in his next start Sunday, at home against the Rangers.

Hand (2-1) earned the win by not allowing a baserunner during the ninth inning of Wednesday's 5-3 win over the White Sox. He did not register a strikeout.

Hand needed only 11 pitches to retire the White Sox in order and Jose Ramirez delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame to notch the victory. The veteran left-hander has allowed three hits and zero runs over his last 10 appearances, and has a 15:2 K:BB in that stretch.

Lopez gave up three runs on nine hits and one walk across six innings during Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Indians. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

Lopez allowed all three runs to score during the fourth inning with four hits and a hit by pitch, but was otherwise able to hold the Indians in check. The 25-year-old has a 6.38 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 47:21 K:BB through 42.1 innings, and lines up to face the Indians again Monday.

Loaisiga allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three across four innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Mariners.

Loaisiga ran into trouble early and never found his groove on the mound, allowing a run in three of the four innings he pitched. While most of his underlying numbers were strong -- he generated 11 swinging strikes on 83 total pitches and started 14 of the 20 batters he faced with a strike -- Loaisiga struggled to string together outs, allowing multiple hits in both the first and fourth innings. While it wasn't his best showing, he may have the chance to bounce back so long as James Paxton (knee) remains on the injured list, especially considering the Yankees don't have a day off in the next seven days.