MLB Player News

McHugh (arm) completed a 21-pitch bullpen session Wednesday without issue and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the Rays' weekend series in Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Out since July 21 with right arm fatigue, McHugh appears to have performed well enough in his recent throwing sessions for the Rays to feel comfortable bringing him back from the IL without first sending him on a rehab assignment. Before McHugh was shut down, the Rays' closing picture was already in flux, and things have become even more unsettled with the team dealing away Diego Castillo to Seattle and with Pete Fairbanks (shoulder), J.P. Feyereisen (biceps) and Jeffrey Springs (knee) following McHugh to the IL. With that in mind, McHugh could factor into the mix for saves upon returning to the active roster.

Manaea (8-7) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Padres after allowing five runs on eight hits while fanning four.

Manaea started the game by giving up a solo shot to Tommy Pham, and that would set the tone for the rest of his outing. He was unable to get out of the fifth inning, and the five runs he allowed represented his highest mark since he gave up seven runs across two frames back on May 13 against the Red Sox. Manaea has given up at least three earned runs in four of his last six outings, but he still owns a solid 3.26 ERA on the season.

Wilson is scheduled to make his next start with the Pirates on Sunday in Cincinnati, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

After being acquired from Atlanta ahead of the trade deadline last Friday, Wilson immediately slotted into the Pittsburgh rotation. He made his team debut Monday, working five innings while giving up a run on two hits and two walks en route to taking a loss to the Brewers. The outing was good enough for Wilson to earn a second turn through the rotation, but his weak peripherals over 38.2 big-league innings this season (5.49 FIP, 5.3 K-BB%, 1.63 HR/9) suggest fantasy managers can't put much trust in him.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Mlodzinski (shoulder) has resumed his throwing program and is close to facing live hitters in batting practice and simulated games, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander has been out of action at High-A Greensboro since June 10 with a right shoulder injury. He appears to be trending well in his recovery, but he'll still have a few more hurdles to clear before Greensboro activates him from the 7-day injured list. Assuming he avoids any further setbacks, Mlodzinski could slot back into the Greensboro rotation as early as the second half of August.

Kranick was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Kranick made two starts in his most recent major-league stint, and he allowed nine runs on 15 hits and four walks while striking out seven in nine innings. The right-hander will attempt to sort things out in the minors after Steven Brault (lat) was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Howard (oblique) has started slope and mound progression as he works his way through a throwing program, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Howard incurred no setbacks with his right oblique strain while increasing his throwing distance off flat ground over the past couple weeks, so he'll take the next step forward in his rehab process. Once Howard completes a few higher-intensity bullpen sessions featuring his full arsenal, he'll then advance to facing hitters in live batting practice or simulated games before heading out on a rehab assignment. The lefty reliever appears unlikely to come off the 10-day injured list until the second half of August.

Axford is dealing with significant structural damage in his elbow and won't pitch again in 2021, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Axford made his first major-league appearance since 2018 against the Pirates on Monday, but he was forced to exit the outing. The 38-year-old underwent an MRI that revealed his diagnosis, and he's currently evaluating his treatment options. However, he won't be cleared to pitch again until at least sometime in 2022.

Patterson had Tommy John surgery during spring training and will be out until sometime next summer, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

While Patterson was invited to the alternate training site last season, he isn't really a prospect of note for dynasty leagues. The 26-year-old lefty profiles as a reliever long term.

Fairbanks (shoulder) won't travel with the Rays during their upcoming road trip that runs from Friday until Aug. 15, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Although Fairbanks was able to play catch Tuesday, manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that the right-hander "just felt OK." A better idea of the 27-year-old's status should be revealed once he's able to throw without pain and resumes mound work.

Bednar (3-1) threw two hitless innings of relief in an 8-5, 10-inning win over Milwaukee on Tuesday. He struck out two batters without issuing a walk.

The hard-throwing righty entered the game in the ninth inning of a 5-5 tie. Bednar followed Chris Stratton, who failed to protect a seventh-inning lead. Tuesday's slotting of relief pitchers gave some insight into how the Bucs might handle late-inning situations, with Stratton setting up for Bednar. Bednar and Stratton both threw more than 20 pitches Tuesday, however, so they'll likely be on a tight pitch-count Wednesday.