MLB Player News

Rolison (hand) returned from Triple-A Albuquerque's 7-day injured list Friday and gave up five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings in the affiliate's 5-1 loss.

Rolison was sidelined for just over nine weeks with a fractured left hand before he began a three-start rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors earlier this month. After getting sufficient time to build up, Rolison slotted back into the Albuquerque rotation, where he's expected to remain for the duration of the season. Over four starts at Albuquerque this season, Rolison has posted a 5.71 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB in 17.1 innings.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Sunday that he expects Lovelady to avoid surgery and treat the sprained UCL in his left elbow with rest and rehab, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

Injuries of these sort often involve Tommy John surgery, but Lovelady appears likely to avoid a procedure that would sideline him through the 2022 season. Though Moore didn't say so, Lovelady is still expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign, but the lefty will be sent in for further tests before the Royals provide an updated timeline for his return, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com.

Hearn (4-4) allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out six across 6.2 innings, earning the win over the Astros on Sunday.

Hearn allowed a solo home run to Yordan Alvarez in the fifth inning. He surrendered two additional extra-base hits later in the inning, leading to a second run for the Astros. However, he allowed just two other baserunners to reach safely outside of that frame. The 26-year-old hasn't gone deeper than five innings before Sunday. On the season, he has a 3.96 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 77 strikeouts in 77.1 innings.

Floro allowed a run on one hit and a walk Sunday, striking out one batter and earning the save over Cincinnati.

Floro found himself in a tough situation with runners on second and third with just one out in the ninth inning. After an RBI sacrifice fly by Joey Votto, he stranded the runner on second and finished off the 2-1 win. He's converted seven of 11 save chances this season, including each of his last three dating back to Aug. 15. Floro is now sporting a 3.00 ERA and a 47:21 K:BB through 51 innings.

Rodriguez (lat) has yet to resume throwing and isn't expected to have enough time to ramp up as a starter if he returns, per MLB.com.

Rodriguez was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A on Aug. 14 and is considered week-to-week. The right-hander worked primarily as a reliever during his time with the Angels this season but did log two starts in 15 appearances. Manager Joe Maddon said in April that Rodriguez has what it takes to become "a front-line starter," but the rookie appears unlikely to work in that capacity again this season, if he is able to return at all.

Mayza allowed one hit in 1.1 innings to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over Detroit.

Toronto's regular closer, Jordan Romano, covered two innings to earn the win Saturday, opening the door for Mayza to notch his first major-league save. The 29-year-old southpaw was never in any real danger of giving up the one-run lead. He's pitched to a solid 3.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB across 42 innings this year. He's added a 4-2 record, 13 holds and two blown saves, typically operating in high-leverage situations.

Reyes (5-7) took the loss and was charged with a blown save Sunday against the Pirates after pitching one-third of an inning and giving up three runs on a hit and two walks while recording one strikeout. Manager Mike Shildt said after the contest the team will evaluate the right-hander's role moving forward, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Reyes served up a three-run homer to Yoshi Tsutsugo to blow a 3-1 lead Sunday, marking his third blown save in his past five outings. The 27-year-old is a solid 29-for-33 in save chances on the year and has a 2.95 ERA in 56 outings, but he's walked a tightrope by issuing 44 free passes in 58 innings and is clearly struggling with St. Louis attempting to make a playoff push. Shildt didn't commit to making a change at closer, but it's clearly a move the Cardinals are considering. Giovanny Gallegos has a 3.11 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 72:15 K:BB over 63.2 innings with 22 holds and two saves this season, so he's the likeliest candidate to receive save chances should the team move in a new direction.

Long covered 4.2 innings of long relief and took a no-decision in Sunday's 9-0 loss to Atlanta. He gave up six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three.

After Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) was cleared to return from the 10-day injured list to start Sunday's contest, Long was expected to transition into a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. While that sort of role could still be in the forecast for Long during the final month of the season, he was deployed as a piggyback starter Sunday with the Giants deliberately limiting DeSclafani's workload in his first start coming off the injury. DeSclafani covered three innings (64 pitches) against Atlanta, but he should be in line to handle a more traditional starting role when his next turn comes up next weekend against the Dodgers. With that in mind, Long shouldn't be counted on to see this sort of workload out of the bullpen moving forward.

The Tigers optioned Foley to Triple-A Toledo after Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Foley tossed a scoreless sixth inning Sunday, but he issued two walks and needed 23 pitches to retire the side. The Tigers' decision to demote Foley likely has less to do with how he looked Sunday than it does the team's desire to add another fresh arm to the bullpen ahead of Monday's game against the Twins.

The Rangers will call up Alexy from Triple-A Round Rock to start Monday's game against the Rockies in Texas, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

Alexy will join Jake Latz and Glenn Otto to become the third new pitcher to enter the Texas rotation in the past week while the Rangers await the returns of Mike Foltynewicz, Dane Dunning, Spencer Howard and Drew Anderson from the COVID-19 injured list. Texas could get at least one of those pitchers back by the end of the upcoming week, but Alexy would have a case to stick around with the big club if he can deliver a quality outing in his MLB debut Monday. Over 65 innings between Round Rock and Double-A Frisco this season, the 23-year-old Alexy has compiled a 1.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 76:27 K:BB while holding opposing hitters to a .175 average.