MLB Player News

Heaney will pitch out of the bullpen Monday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Heaney will shift roles with Corey Kluber (shoulder) set to return from the injured list. While it's possible Heaney shifts into a traditional bullpen role moving forward, he is projected to piggyback Kluber in a multi-inning role Monday. Heaney has struggled to a 6.23 ERA while allowing 3.1 HR/9 across five starts since joining the Yankees.

Sale (3-0) earned the win Thursday after holding the Twins to two runs on two hits and a pair of walks while striking out eight across 5.1 innings.

The 32-year-old had his command in check Thursday, joining Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax as the only pitchers with three immaculate innings when he struck out the side against the Twins on nine pitches in the third frame. It was Sale's third start since rejoining the rotation following Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the 2020 season, and he's pitched well with a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB over 15.1 innings. The veteran southpaw is projected for a road matchup at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Kluber (shoulder) will be activated to start Monday's game against the Angels, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Kluber has been sidelined since May 27 and has slowly been ramping up his workload during a rehab assignment. After throwing 60 pitches in his latest outing Tuesday, Kluber has proven healthy enough to return to a big-league mound. However, manager Aaron Boone has already said that Andrew Heaney is likely to pitch behind Kluber as a piggyback starter, implying that Kluber will not immediately take on a full workload.

Ryan gave up one run over five innings with eight strikeouts and one walk Wednesday for Triple-A St. Paul. He's given up two runs with 17 strikeouts in nine innings in his first two starts for the Saints after he was both traded to the Twins and returned from playing in the Olympics.

Ryan and Drew Strotman were traded from the Rays to the Twins as part of a trade for Nelson Cruz. Ryan is a candidate to be called up the majors in September as the Twins may decide to give him some major-league innings as they evaluate their options for 2022. Ryan has a 3.41 ERA and 12.5 K/9 at Triple-A between St. Paul and Durham.

Rodon (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Thursday's start against the Blue Jays.

Rodon missed just over two weeks due to left shoulder fatigue, but he'll return to the mound for Thursday's series finale against Toronto. Since manager Tony La Russa was unsure of the southpaw's status in the days leading up to Thursday's matchup, the White Sox will likely monitor his workload during his first start back. However, Rodon shouldn't face significant limitations following his relatively brief absence.

Verlander (elbow) will not pitch this season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Astros general manager James Click closed the window on Verlander's potential return this season during a radio interview Wednesday. Verlander had Tommy John elbow surgery Sept. 30, 2020, so the 38-year-old's ability to pitch in 2021 wasn't feasible given the injury's typical 12-to-14 month recovery period. He'll now enter the offseason as a free agent and will be 39 by the time spring training opens in February. Verlander said he wants to pitch into his 40s and was a Cy Young winner in 2019 and runner-up in 2018.

McCullers did not factor in the decision against Kansas City on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.

McCullers limited the Royals to one run through six innings but got into trouble in the seventh. After the right-handed hurler loaded the bases on a single and back-to-back walks with two outs, Cristian Javier came on and served up a grand slam to Whit Merrifield, with three of the runs charged to McCullers. The 27-year-old tied a season high with four walks in the contest and departed after throwing 107 pitches. He's expected to make his next start at Seattle early next week.

Wells struck out one in a perfect inning during Wednesday's 10-6 win over the Angels.

The right-hander pitched in the ninth inning after Baltimore stormed ahead in the eighth. Wells has made just four appearances since returning from a wrist injury Aug. 12, but he's given up just one walk while striking out four in 3.1 innings in that span. The 27-year-old has a 3.64 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB across 47 innings, and he should be in line for high-leverage spots down the stretch, although Baltimore's poor performance as a team likely won't lead to many save chances.

Ober allowed four hits and a walk while striking out seven in five shutout innings, taking a no-decision versus Boston on Wednesday.

Ober went eight days between starts as Minnesota manages the workload of its younger starters. The extra rest seemed to serve him well, although the 26-year-old was denied the win as the bullpen faltered to force extra innings. Ober has a 4.06 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 72:17 K:BB through 68.2 innings this season. The right-hander has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last six starts, but due to a combination of high pitch counts and team performance, he's taken just one decision (a loss) in that span. He tentatively lines up to face Detroit next Monday, but he could be pushed back into a two-game set versus the Cubs when Minnesota locks in its pitching plans.

Giolito allowed a run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts across six innings in a no-decision versus Toronto on Wednesday.

The right-hander's lone run conceded came on a Corey Dickerson RBI triple in the fourth inning. Giolito has had a couple of short outings lately, but he's turned in quality starts in three of his last four trips to the mound. The 27-year-old has a 3.68 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 175:43 K:BB through 154 innings overall. He carries a 9-9 record into a projected home start versus Pittsburgh next week.