MLB Player News

Heaney pitched one inning against Toronto on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one.

The left-hander continues to get bit by the long ball -- he surrendered a one-out solo shot to Vladimir Guerrero in the top of the ninth inning. Heaney's outing didn't get much better from there, as the Blue Jays followed with three straight hits that resulted in another run. He has not pitched well since joining the Yankees at the end of July, giving up 11 homers in 30.1 innings while registering a 7.71 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

Boyd is no longer starting Friday's game against the Rays for an undisclosed reason, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Tyler Alexander will start in his place.

The reason for the change isn't known at this point, but the Tigers should provide an update on Boyd's status prior to first pitch.

Wilcox underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wilcox, who joined the Rays over the winter in the Blake Snell trade, cruised to a 2.03 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 10 starts for Low-A Charleston to begin the season, striking out 52 batters while walking just five. He hasn't pitched since late June due to an elbow strain. Tommy John surgery typically carries a recovery time of more than 12 months, so it's likely he doesn't pitch again until 2023, though some fall or winter action next season is possible if he's on the shorter end of the timeline.

McClanahan was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stiff back Friday but is only expected to miss one start, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays have a comfortable nine-game lead over their division rivals, so they can afford to manage their young pitchers' workloads down the stretch in an effort to keep them at full strength for the playoffs. McClanahan has had an excellent rookie season, riding a 27.5 percent strikeout rate to a 3.59 ERA, and while his 110.1 innings this year don't represent a particularly high workload, he's already just 10.1 innings shy of his career high. The Rays presumably hope that he'll wind up making multiple starts in the postseason, so there's little reason to push him through even a minor injury in the final few weeks of the regular season. Chris Archer is expected to step back into the rotation for a spot start.

Sale tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will not start Sunday against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The extent of Sale's absence will depend on whether he's vaccinated, a detail that is currently unknown. Garrett Richards or Connor Seabold could be called upon to fill Sale's rotation spot until he recovers from the virus.

Cortes allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five across six innings in a no-decision versus Toronto on Thursday.

The 26-year-old gave up solo home runs to Bo Bichette and Randal Grichuk in the contest, but he was able to limit the damage there. Cortes has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last five starts, surrendering nine runs in 30 innings during that span. That's right in line with his season work, where he's posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 76:21 K:BB across 73.1 innings in 18 outings (10 starts). The southpaw projects for a favorable road start in Baltimore next week.

Berrios (11-7) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings to earn the win over the Yankees on Thursday.

The right-hander's lone mistake was a two-run Anthony Rizzo home run in the sixth inning, but Bo Bichette put Toronto ahead again with an RBI single in the seventh. Berrios has a 26:2 K:BB with six runs allowed (five earned) across 20.1 innings in his last three starts, all of which were wins. For the year, he has a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 177:42 K:BB through 166.1 innings between Minnesota and Toronto. The 27-year-old projects for a home start versus Tampa Bay next week.

Means (5-7) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven-plus innings, taking the loss versus Kansas City on Thursday.

Means allowed a first-inning solo home run to Nicky Lopez, and then he was charged with another run after attempting to stretch his start into the eighth. The Baltimore ace has allowed nine runs in his last 24.1 innings, but he has two losses and two no-decisions across those four starts. Thursday was Means' longest start since he returned from a shoulder injury in July. He has a 3.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 114:23 K:BB through 126.1 innings this year. The southpaw is projected for a home start versus the Yankees next week.

Quantrill (5-3) held the Twins to one run on four hits and two walks over 7.2 innings to earn the win Thursday. He also had five strikeouts.

Quantrill bounced back nicely from Friday's poor outing, limiting Minnesota to a Miguel Sano solo homer in the second frame. He managed to pitch into the eighth inning for the first time this season before being lifted with his pitch count at a season-high 109. The 26-year-old Quantrill owns a 3.04 ERA and 106:42 K:BB in 130.1 innings heading into his next start, scheduled to come on the road next week in a rematch with the Twins.

Albers (1-2) took the loss Thursday against Cleveland, yielding three runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out a pair.

Albers, who needed 98 pitches to get 12 outs, allowed a two-run homer to Franmil Reyes in the third inning and a solo blast to Oscar Mercado in the fourth. The journeyman left-hander has been rocked for 12 runs and 16 hits in seven innings of work over his last two starts. Albers joined the rotation when Randy Dobnak (finger) went on the injured list, but his last two outings may force the Twins to consider other options the next time through.