MLB Player News

Honeywell (elbow) was charged with a loss for Triple-A Las Vegas against Sacramento on Wednesday, allowing an earned run on two hits over two innings while recording a strikeout.

Honeywell upped his workload after pitching an inning apiece in each of his last three starts. The recovering right-hander continues to progress through what manager Mark Kotsay has dubbed a spring training-like ramp-up in preparation of what is expected to be a relief role for the final weeks of the regular season. Honeywell worked up to 32 pitches Wednesday, and according to the the Associated Press, Kotsay notes the 27-year-old's velocity is already where it should be.

Littell (2-3) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Dodgers.

Littell gave up the go-ahead run on an RBI double to Trea Turner, then yielded a three-run home run to Max Muncy. Littell hadn't given up more than one run in any of his previous nine appearances since returning from an oblique injury in August. The ugly outing Wednesday lifted his season ERA to 5.01 with a 1.33 WHIP, 36:12 K:BB, one save and four holds through 41.1 innings.

Thompson (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, and manager David Ross hopes that the right-hander will return to game action at some point in 2022. It's possible that Thompson will throw a simulated game or embark on a rehab assignment shortly after Friday's throwing session.

Duarte (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Duarte has been sidelined with an elbow issue since mid-April, but he now appears to be trending toward a return. The right-hander will presumably require multiple rehab appearances, but it's possible that he'll be available out of the Reds' bullpen late in the regular season.

Luetge gave up three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 2.1 scoreless innings to record his second save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

The southpaw entered the game in the seventh inning with the Yankees ahead 4-1, and Luetge needed only 30 pitches (19 strikes) to wrap things up, getting three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to make his job that much easier. The 35-year-old has been very effective lately in a long relief role, working more than one inning in seven of 11 appearances since the All-Star break and posting a 1.56 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB through 17.1 innings over that stretch.

Wilson didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, working six innings as a bulk reliever and giving up four runs on seven hits, including two home runs. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander entered the game in the second inning after Duane Underwood had spotted New York a 1-0 lead, and Wilson made the hole deeper by coughing up four more runs in the fourth. He's been charged with at least three earned runs in seven of eight appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 5.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 38.2 innings over that stretch.

Underwood (1-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up one run on two hits in one inning. He struck out one.

Working as the opener ahead of Bryse Wilson, Underwood wound up with the decision as the Pirates never tied things up and eventually lost 5-1. The right-hander has been tagged for runs in four straight appearances, and since the beginning of August he carries a 5.82 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and poor 11:8 K:BB through 17 innings.

Thompson (back) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Following the throwing session, Cubs manager David Ross reiterated that he wants to see the 27-year-old right-hander back on the mound this season, even though Thompson's 104.1 innings in 2022 have nearly doubled up his total from 2021. With that in mind, the Cubs are likely to keep a six-man rotation intact whenever Thompson and Justin Steele (back) are cleared to return from the 15-day injured list, and it's possible that both pitchers could have a turn or two skipped over the final month of the season. Before Thompson is activated, however, he'll likely first have to throw a simulated game or make a minor-league rehab start, which could happen as soon as this weekend.

Fairbanks picked up the save in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Red Sox, allowing one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Fairbanks has been dominant since making his season debut in mid-July, and he hasn't given up a run and has a 26:2 K:BB over his past 17 outings. The righty's 1.45 ERA and 0.70 WHIP this season would be career-best marks by a significant margin, and he'll remain in the mix for saves down the stretch for the Rays.

Pivetta (9-11) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three.

Pivetta allowed two doubles -- one from Francisco Mejia and the other from Taylor Walls -- in addition to an RBI single from Walls with one out in the fifth. The righty has pitched six innings or more just twice in his last 12 starts. Pivetta's 4.29 ERA in 2022 isn't anything special but represents a career best in six major-league seasons.