MLB Player News

Snell will be on a pitch count in his Thursday start against the Yankees, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "Obviously, we're trying to get him stretched out, but we're going to be very responsible doing that," manager Kevin Cash said. "[Pitching coach] Kyle [Snyder] talked about when [Snell] took his two weeks off on the DL, that's the first time -- other than the offseason -- that he's ever done something like that. He's a big, big part of our future, and we want to keep him healthy."

The young southpaw was pulled after five perfect innings versus the Blue Jays last Friday night in his second start back from the disabled list. Snell threw just 47 pitches in that outing, and he figures to have a notably higher limit than that Thursday. However, it appears by Cash's comments that the Rays are committed to taking a cautious route with Snell, given his emergence this season and long-term importance.

Berrios didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Pirates after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

Berrios didn't have it in this one, turning in his shortest outing since April 29 while failing to make it out of the fourth inning for just the second time all year. While the 24-year-old owns a solid 3.75 ERA and 157:44 K:BB through 25 starts this season (153.2 innings), he's starting to show signs of fatigue lately, lasting fewer than five innings in three of his last four starts while posting a 5.59 ERA and 21:14 K:BB over that stretch. It should be noted that Berrios has already surpassed his major-league innings total from 2017, though he's still 30 innings away from his combined (majors and minors) innings total from last year. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which will come at home against the White Sox.

Rodon (4-3) allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six over eight innings, winning for the first time in four starts in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Tigers.

Rodon went eight innings for a second consecutive start and has pitched into the eighth inning in five of his last six starts. The left-hander has been getting deeper into games, averaging 6.7 innings per start in 2018, up from 5.7 last season. He told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times that getting deeper is the result of more first-pitch strikes, which is borne out by the numbers: entering Wednesday's contest, 59.3 percent of his first pitches have been located in the zone, up from 56.2 percent in 2017. He's been one of the better pitchers in the league over the last six weeks, going 3-0 while posting a 1.60 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in seven starts. Rodon takes that line into his next start Tuesday at home against Minnesota.

Lewicki underwent an MRI on Wednesday that confirmed a bone spur but no additional damage to the elbow, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Lewicki was put on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday morning, as the team cited "elbow inflammation" as the culprit. Though his MRI revealed a bone spur, Lewicki could potentially return after a minimum stay on the shelf if his elbow responds well to anti-inflammatories. It appears as though the club may turn to Ryan Carpenter for Saturday's start in Minnesota.

Rodriguez (ankle) is expected to make a rehab start with one of Boston's minor-league affiliates Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

As expected, Rodriguez will move on to the next step in his recovery after pitching a four-inning simulated game Wednesday afternoon. The left-hander isn't quite sure how many outings he will require at the minor-league level, but he expects to return to the Red Sox's rotation in the coming weeks.

Rodriguez (ankle) threw a four-inning, 50-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Abraham noted that Rodriguez looked sharp during his time on the mound and that a rehab assignment in likely on the horizon. It's unclear as to whether Rodriguez will require more than one outing at the minor-league level, but his return to the Red Sox doesn't appear to be far off.

Bergman was recalled by the Mariners on Wednesday.

Bergman is up to take the roster spot which belonged to James Paxton, who hit the disabled list with a forearm contusion. It's unclear if he'll also be taking Paxton's spot in the rotation or if that job will go to Felix Hernandez. The fact that Bergman was called up five days before Paxton's next turn suggests that he'll likely up in a relief role, as it would be a waste of a roster spot to call up a starter just to have him sit on the bench for several days.

Paxton (forearm) was put on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Paxton was placed on the shelf after suffering a left forearm contusion in the first inning of Tuesday's start. Though this move officially rules him out for his next turn in the rotation, Paxton could be back in action against the Diamondbacks next weekend, as he's eligible to return from the DL on Aug. 25. In a corresponding move, Christian Bergman was called up from Triple-A Tacoma.

Lewicki was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with right elbow inflammation.

The move was made retroactive to Aug. 14, so Lewicki could potentially just miss one start (though a timeline has not yet been announced). Reliever Zac Reininger was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to fill Lewicki's place on the roster for the time being. The Tigers will likely have to make another move to bring in a starter to take Lewicki's place in the rotation Saturday against the Twins.

Whitley (oblique) was activated from the 7-day DL and tossed two scoreless innings for Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

As expected, Whitley started Tuesday's contest in his return from a mild oblique strain that he suffered in early July. He will continue to build his arm back up across his next couple starts. Expect the Hooks to keep him on a strict pitch count.