MLB Player News

Heaney moved to 10-6 on the season while working in relief in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Athletics, striking out six over 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing four hits and a walk.

Starter Jon Gray was pulled during a difficult third inning, but Heaney was able to step up in his first relief appearance of the season. Prior to Sunday's outing, Heaney was already confirmed to not be starting during the upcoming four-game series against the Blue Jays, which starts Monday. It's unclear if the Rangers have permanently bumped him from the rotation or if he will be part of a six-man group going forward. Heaney has pitched to a 4.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 141:55 K:BB over 136 innings across 28 appearances this season. If he makes his next start on schedule, he would be lined up for a road outing in Cleveland.

Gray allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Sunday.

Gray got into trouble in the third inning, and Andrew Heaney was brought in to finish off the frame. This was the third time this season Gray has failed to complete three innings, though he's escaped with a no-decision in each of those outings. The right-hander has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) across 23.2 innings during his five-start winless streak. He's now at a 3.96 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB through 145.1 innings over 26 starts this year. Gray is tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in Cleveland.

Miller is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Astros, though he'll remain on a pitch count, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller made his first big-league appearance since May last Wednesday after being on the shelf with an elbow sprain, and he'll now move back into the rotation. The rookie right-hander threw just 27 pitches in that outing, so his pitch count is likely to be well below that of a typical starter. Miller could be deployed as more of a piggyback pitcher in front of Ken Waldichuk, who would be available to pitch Monday on five days' rest.

Miller (8-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings in a 6-3 loss against the Rays. He struck out seven.

Tampa got to Miller early Sunday, scoring three runs in the first inning, leading to the rookie right-hander's first loss since Aug. 1. Miller hadn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his previous six starts, working to a 2.53 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA now sits at 4.05 with a 1.11 WHIP and 109:23 K:BB across 117.2 innings this season. Miller will look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled as a home matchup with the Dodgers.

Eflin (14-8) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out six.

Eflin wasn't at his best Sunday -- he's now allowed three runs over five innings in each of his last two starts. However, he did enough to earn his 14th win, tied for fifth-most in the league. Eflin's ERA now sits at 3.53 with a 1.05 WHIP and 164:23 K:BB across 28 starts (160.2 innings) this season. He's currently scheduled for a road matchup with the Orioles in his next outing.

Boston placed Paxton on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right knee inflammation, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Paxton was supposed to start on extra rest Tuesday against the Yankees, but he has now been shut down for the final three weeks of the 2023 regular season due to lingering knee trouble. The veteran left-hander had surrendered 17 runs -- 16 earned -- over his last three outings covering just 9.2 innings. Nick Pivetta is expected to fill his rotation spot the rest of the way.

Detroit selected Gipson-Long's contract from Triple-A Toledo ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox.

Gipson-Long will be making his major-league debut as he toes the slab in the Tigers' series finale against Chicago. The 25-year-old right-hander had registered a 4.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 126:29 K:BB in 99.2 innings this summer between Double-A and Triple-A.

Boston activated Whitlock from the bereavement list ahead of Sunday's game against the Orioles, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Whitlock was excused from the Red Sox for a week as he dealt with a private family mater. He'll return Sunday to a multi-inning relief role, with Joe Jacques getting optioned out to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding roster move.

Maeda (4-7) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Mets while striking out two.

Maeda got off to a rough start, surrendering a leadoff home run to Brandon Nimmo in the first at-bat of the game followed by an RBI single to Daniel Vogelbach four batters later. The veteran right-hander settled in after that, however, allowing just two more singles over the next four frames to earn his fourth win of the season and first since Aug. 5. Maeda had allowed at least three runs in four consecutive starts coming in, and he's now given up at least one homer in 10 straight outings.

Urena (0-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over four innings against the Tigers. He struck out three.

In his first big-league action since April 23, Urena fired 75 pitches and limited the damage to one run, which came on an infield single in the second inning. However, the White Sox lineup failed to provide adequate run support and the righty was tagged with his fifth loss of the year. The 31-year-old compiled a 9.82 ERA, 2.24 WHIP and 6.9 BB/9 across 18.1 innings in five April starts with the Rockies and posted a 5.60 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 3.4 BB/9 across 88.1 minor-league innings this year before getting promoted by Chicago. His season-long ERA now sits at 8.46, marking the seventh time in nine MLB seasons that Urena has posted an ERA north of 5.00 in his career. If he remains in the rotation, he is likely to make his next start at home against the Twins.