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.

Stone will be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Monday's game against the Padres, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Clayton Kershaw was initially slated to start Monday, but his start was pushed back to Friday to better line up his appearances for late in the season ahead of the playoffs. As a result, Stone will rejoin the major-league club, while Ryan Yarbrough will be placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move. Stone has had a lackluster start to his big-league career, posting a 10.50 ERA and 2.28 WHIP in 18 innings over five appearances (three starts). If he performs well Monday, Stone could end up temporarily sticking around as the Dodgers' No. 5 starter over Emmet Sheehan.

Kershaw will have his next start pushed back to Friday against the Mariners, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw was initially slated to start Monday against the Padres, but he'll be pushed back to late in the week. While the left-hander recently dealt with a shoulder issue, manager Dave Roberts emphasized Sunday that the move wasn't made due to a setback but rather to line up Kershaw's starts better late in the season. Gavin Stone will be called up to start Monday's matchup, with Ryan Yarbrough slated to hit the paternity list.

Burnes was removed from Sunday's start against the Yankees due to a sprained left ankle, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Burnes struck out seven in eight no-hit innings during Sunday's matchup, but he suffered an ankle injury while making an inning-ending out in the seventh. Although he's sore, he expects to be fine for his next start, which tentatively lines up for next weekend at home against the Nationals.

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.

Wright (shoulder) could be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Mark Bowman of MLB.comreports.

Spencer Strider's turn through the rotation was pushed back a couple days due to an illness, which could prompt Atlanta to bring back Wright during the twin bill. The 32-year-old made his most recent rehab start Sept. 5 for Triple-A Gwinnett and indicated he needed one more outing in the minors before rejoining the big club, but Strider's ailment could prompt a change of plans. Wright threw just 50 pitches and 3.2 innings during that start, so he won't take on a full workload if activated.

Strider is dealing with an illness but is in line to make his next turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Phillies, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander originally lined up to make a start during Monday's series-opening doubleheader, but the ailment will push him back a couple days in Atlanta's rotation. Since Strider won't be having his turn in the rotation skipped entirely, the illness doesn't look to be anything that will affect him from a workload standpoint when he returns to the mound Wednesday. Strider was chased in the third inning after allowing six earned runs in his most recent outing last Wednesday versus the Cardinals, but he went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 34:8 K:BB in 27 innings over his preceding four starts.

The Reds returned Spiers to Double-A Chattanooga on Sunday.

The Reds have been shorthanded for starting pitchers over the past couple weeks with multiple players on the COVID-19 injured list, which allowed Spiers to make his first two starts in the big leagues. The 25-year-old allowed seven earned runs over seven frames between the two outings, so it's hardly a surprise he's heading back to the minors.

Richardson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

The 23-year-old started for the past few turns through Cincinnati's rotation, but he'll head back to Triple-A after he posted a 7.90 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 10:12 K:BB across 13.2 innings. Richardson should return to the rotation at Louisville, where he has a 3.60 ERA in three starts.