MLB Player News

Cleavinger (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, per Eric Stephen of SBNation.com.

Cleavinger is currently on the 60-day IL, so he isn't eligible to return to the big club this season. That said, he is clearly progressing from his oblique injury given his ability to pitch in minor-league games. In two rehab outings, he has given up two runs (one earned) while striking out four batters over 1.2 innings.

Bachman won't pitch for the Angels' Double-A club this year and will work in the instructional league after the season ends, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Bachman was bumped up to Double-A Rocket City on Sept. 11, but he's no longer expected to get into any games with the Trash Pandas this season. Instead, he'll continue his development in the instructional league after the campaign comes to a close. The right-hander was the organization's first-round pick this year and threw only 14.1 innings in High-A ball, so this hardly qualifies as a stunting of his progress.

Hearn pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three. He did not factor into the decision.

The left-hander gave up a two-run double to Kyle Higashioka in the fifth inning, providing the only big blow against him in the contest. After giving up seven runs to the White Sox on Sept. 17, he rebounded nicely in this one. Hearn has now allowed three or less runs in seven of his last eight starts while compiling a 3.92 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in those outings. He's projected to face the Angels in his next start Wednesday.

Akin surrendered one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six in Wednesday's loss to the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

The 26-year-old pitched well in this one, with his only run coming after he was pulled from the game. Andrew McCutchen launched a home run off of Eric Hanhold to plate Bryce Harper, who Akin allowed to reach before exiting. The outing snapped a seven-start streak of giving up a home run for the lefty, and the one walk was his lowest amount allowed since Aug. 10. He's lined up to face the Red Sox in his next start Tuesday.

Hernandez (1-3) took the loss Wednesday against Washington, yielding four runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings. He had seven strikeouts.

The long ball was a problem for Hernandez, who was taken deep by Yadiel Hernandez, Juan Soto and Luis Garcia and trailed 4-0 after throwing his 78th and final pitch in the fourth inning. Since joining the rotation in mid-August, Hernandez has logged a 4.72 ERA and 34:13 K:BB over 34.1 innings in his seven starts. He's slated for a road matchup with the Mets in his next scheduled start.

Rainey tossed a perfect two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Wednesday's win over the Marlins.

The Marlins put three runs on the board off Washington reliever Ryne Harper to cut the Nationals' lead to 7-5 with one out in the ninth inning. Rainey was called upon to put out the fire, and he quickly induced groundouts from Miguel Rojas and Jazz Chisholm to secure his second save of the year. It's been a lost season for Rainey, who owns a 6.91 ERA in 35 appearances, but he has managed to provide three straight scoreless outings since returning from Triple-A Rochester.

Merryweather allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning versus Tampa Bay on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

This was the 29-year-old's first turn as an opener this season. Merryweather allowed a single to Randy Arozarena and walked Ji-Man Choi before getting the final two outs of the frame. Through 8.1 innings, Merryweather owns a 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB. He's added two saves and a hold in nine appearances this year after missing most of the season due to an oblique injury.

Chargois (6-1) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two, earning the win Wednesday versus Toronto.

The 30-year-old was the first reliever in the game after starter Luis Patino was pulled after three innings. Chargois has enjoyed his best major-league season with a 2.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 50:17 K:BB through 51.2 innings this year. While he entered Wednesday's game early, his 14 holds across 53 appearances between Tampa Bay and Seattle indicate he'll continue to be in the mix for high-leverage situations.

Patino allowed a hit, a walk and a hit batter while striking out one over three scoreless innings versus Toronto on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

It's unclear why Patino was pulled from the game after just 37 pitches (25 strikes). The 21-year-old may be having his innings managed, but he was effective in a short start Wednesday. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.54 and WHIP to 1.32 with the strong showing, figures he complements with a 70:29 K:BB across 73.1 innings. He's projected for a road start in Houston next week, which will likely be his last of the regular season if Tampa Bay doesn't shuffle its rotation.

Kay (undisclosed) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday and remains with Triple-A Buffalo, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Kay landed on the COVID IL a couple weeks ago and will now rejoin Buffalo's roster after clearing the health and safety protocols. The 26-year-old last saw game action at Triple-A on Aug. 4, and he surrendered six runs over 3.2 innings during that outing.