MLB Player News

Fleming will be available out of the bullpen during Friday and Saturday's games against the White Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

It's not clear if the southpaw will move to the bullpen permanently, but that decision will likely depend on a variety of factors, including how Chris Archer (forearm) performs in his return from the injured list Sunday. In any scenario, Fleming should be an option to provide length out of the bullpen in the coming days.

Helsley was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stress reaction in his right elbow. The move is retroactive to Aug. 17.

Helsley has apparently been dealing with the injury for a bit since he hasn't seen game action since last Saturday, and he'll be unavailable for at least another week. It's unclear how long the right-hander is expected to be sidelined.

Moore is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Padres in San Diego.

Moore joined the rotation last week as a replacement for Chase Anderson, who had been moved to the injured list with a triceps issue, and surprised by striking out eight over six no-hit innings. The veteran southpaw had maintained a 7.67 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in his previous seven outings with the Phillies. Moore's body of work this season would suggest his most recent start is a massive outlier, but he'll at least get the chance to make one more turn through the rotation while a now-healthy Anderson works out of the bullpen.

Gilbert is scheduled to make a second start for Arizona on Friday in Colorado.

Arizona's decision to keep Gilbert in the rotation for another turn comes as little surprise after he became the first pitcher since 1953 to toss a no-hitter in his first MLB start last weekend versus the Padres. Gilbert struck out only five batters and induced nine swinging strikes in the nine-inning outing, suggesting that his ERA and WHIP will be in line for a correction once his BABIP normalizes. Pitching at altitude in Coors Field certainly won't help Gilbert's chances of submitting another gem.

Montero was diagnosed with a strained right lat Friday and has yet to resume throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Montero has spent the minimum 10 days on the injured list with what was originally described as shoulder soreness. As it turns out, the injury is worse than originally reported, and he won't be returning any time soon. It's not yet clear exactly when the Astros expect him back.

Valdez was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Friday.

Valdez surprisingly emerged to record his first three career saves in 2020 and saved eight more games in the early part of this year during his age-36 season, but he hasn't been good enough for high-leverage opportunities since, struggling to a 5.76 ERA in 45.1 innings. He's allowed at least one run in five of his last six outings, and the Orioles have evidently seen enough. They'll drop the veteran from the roster to give innings to younger options down the stretch, including 28-year-old Chris Ellis, who was claimed off waivers from the Rays on Friday.

Alzolay (hamstring) threw another successful bullpen session Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay has been out for a week while dealing with a strained left hamstring, but the issue appears to be a minor one. He played catch just two days after landing on the injured list and quickly advanced to agility work. He's now thrown multiple bullpen sessions. A return Monday against the Rockies after a minimum-length absence appears to be in play.

Thompson will start Saturday's game versus the Royals, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson was reported as Saturday's expected starter earlier in the week, and manager Dave Ross confirmed the right-hander will be promoted from Triple-A Iowa to pitch. The 26-year-old posted a 2.21 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 43:22 K:BB over 40.2 innings as a reliever for the Cubs earlier this season, but he's been stretching out as a starter at Triple-A since being demoted in late July. The right-hander didn't surrender a run and allowed only five hits over four outings during his brief time in the minors, and he'll attempt to carry over that success to the majors as the rebuilding Cubs give him a look in the starting rotation.

Pressly (5-1) earned the win in relief Thursday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits.

Pressly gave up singles to Carlos Santana and Hunter Dozier, and he found himself with runners on the corners and two outs, but he retired Hanser Alberto on a groundout to come away unscathed. An offensive explosion in the top of the 10th allowed him to earn the win, but perhaps more importantly, Pressly has now tossed five straight scoreless outings.

Warren earned the save Thursday against the Tigers after tossing two perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Warren entered in the eighth inning and shut down the Tigers on just seven pitches. With Raisel Iglesias having pitched the night before, Warren stayed in to close things out in the ninth, this time doing so on 10 pitches to pick up his first career save. The right-hander has compiled a solid 2.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 13 innings at the big-league level this year.