MLB Player News

Wacha (2-3) took the loss Monday as the Rays were routed 8-2 by the Mariners, coughing up six runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander survived the first two innings despite some traffic on the basepaths, but the wheels came off for Wacha in a five-run third. He threw 57 of 86 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and he hasn't lasted more than five innings in any of his four outings since the All-Star break. Wacha will take a 5.26 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 69:22 K:BB through 75.1 innings into his next appearance.

Flexen (10-5) picked up the win in Monday's 8-2 victory over the Rays, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

A five-run third inning by the M's gave Flexen all the run support he needed, as he tossed 71 of 113 pitches for strikes en route to his 10th quality start of the season. The right-hander's return to North America after he spent 2020 in the KBO has been a resounding success, and he'll carry a 3.75 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 75:24 K:BB through 115.1 innings into his next outing.

Gil's recent social media activity suggests that he was informed Monday that the Yankees intend to call him up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The Yankees have yet to confirm Gil's promotion, but the club will have an opening on the active roster with Gerrit Cole expected to be placed on the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orioles. Since Cole is confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, he'll remain out for at least 10 days, leaving a major void in the rotation. While manager Aaron Boone suggested that Nestor Cortes would likely take the hill in Cole's stead Tuesday, the Yankees will have another hole in the rotation to fill Thursday or Friday against the Mariners since Domingo German (shoulder) was placed on the IL over the weekend. Gil would make for a logical plug-in option, given that he hasn't pitched at Triple-A since July 27. Over 14 starts (61 innings) this season between Triple-A and Double-A Somerset, the 23-year-old right-hander has submitted a 4.13 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 13.0 K/9.

Dunning (5-7) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Monday.

Dunning is in the midst of his best stretch of the season, having gone 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last six outings, spanning 30 innings. He's made the jump from 34 innings pitched in 2020 to 95 innings this season with another two months to go. It's uncertain how much the Rangers will push him, given that they've managed his workload all season. Dunning is next projected to pitch Saturday at Oakland.

Minnesota is considering reducing Ober's workload the rest of the season since he didn't pitch in 2020 and has never thrown more than 78 innings in a season, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins are limiting him to about 80 pitches per start and could give him extra rest between starts late in the season. Even though he sports a 4.94 ERA, Ober has been a pleasant surprise for the Twins with a 9.7 K/BB and 2.7 BB/9. He could put himself in position for a spot in the 2022 rotation with a strong finish to the season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cortes will likely start Tuesday's game against the Orioles, SportsNet New York reports.

With Gerrit Cole having tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Cortes looks like the next man up to join the rotation. After landing on the COVID-19 injured list himself coming out of the All-Star break, Cortes was cleared to return to action a week later and was called on to make a spot start July 28 as a replacement for the injured Michael King's (finger). He allowed one run on three hits while fanning five across five innings in a no-decision versus the Rays.

Heaney (6-8) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out four over four innings, taking the loss versus Baltimore on Monday.

The southpaw gave up a season-high four home runs in the contest, although all were of the solo shot variety. Heaney has now allowed 20 homers across 19 starts this year. He has a 5.42 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 117:31 K:BB across 98 innings. He'll hope to keep the ball in the yard better when he makes his next start versus Seattle this weekend.

Cole will not make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Orioles after testing positive for COVID-19, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Following the positive test, Cole will be placed on the COVID injured list, where he'll spend at least 10 days. Skipper Aaron Boone stated Nestor Cortes will likely get the nod Tuesday in Cole's place, per SNY Yankees.

Ray allowed two runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts across six innings in a no-decision versus Cleveland on Monday.

This was Ray's seventh quality start in his last eight outings, the lone hiccup in that span being a July 21 appearances versus Boston. The southpaw gave up both runs Monday in the third inning, but Vladimir Guerrero's two-run blast in the sixth got him off the hook. The strong pitching lately has Ray's ERA at 3.04 with a 1.09 WHIP and 154:33 K:BB through 124.1 innings. He tentatively is set to make his next start versus Boston this weekend.

Severino (elbow/groin) will report to Double-A Somerset on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The Yankees are planning on Severino tossing 40-to-50 pitches in the rehab outing, his first game action since June 12. While ramping up following his February 2020 Tommy John surgery, Severino suffered a Grade 2 right groin strain, and his recovery from that injury looks to be the greater concern at this juncture. The Yankees are seemingly preparing to bring Severino back from the 60-day injured list as a starter, so he may require two or three additional rehab starts beyond Tuesday before making his return from the IL. General manager Brian Cashman estimated Sunday that Severino will likely rejoin the Yankees at some point between Aug. 20 and Sept. 1, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.