MLB Player News

Wheeler (forearm) played catch Thursday for the second time since he was briefly shut down from throwing earlier this week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Wheeler had been in consideration to come off the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Marlins, but he had his return date pushed back after his forearm flared up again. He's expected to play catch again Friday from 120 feet before stepping back on the mound for a side session later in the weekend. If Wheeler's forearm responds well to the activity, it's possible he could return from the IL next week without requiring a rehab start in the minors.

Varland was returned to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland served as the 29th man during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees and served as the starting pitcher during the matinee. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. In spite of Varland's demotion, manager Rocco Baldelli said Wednesday that he expects the right-hander to be back with the Twins at some point down the stretch.

Wells (oblique) allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out one over one inning in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Wells returned from a five-week absence to serve as an opener in Wednesday's contest. The right-hander did alright, throwing 20 of 34 pitches for strikes, including five whiffs. He averaged 93.1 mph on his fastball, down slightly from his season average. Wells should have the opportunity to stretch out over the last month of the season. He owns a 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 69:25 K:BB through 96.2 innings over 21 starts, though he won't generate much fantasy interest until he can complete five frames again.

Waldichuk (0-1) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a hit batsman while recording two strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

It was a serviceable effort against a fearsome array of bats for the young southpaw, who recorded first-pitch strikes on 14 of the 20 batters he faced across 92 pitches overall. Waldichuk's problems were centered on the long ball, as he allowed a two-run home run to Vaughn Grissom in the fifth inning and conceded a solo shot to Dansby Swanson in the sixth before getting the hook. Waldichuk has been solid over his first two starts while pitching to a 3.60 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, and he lines up to build on those performances in a turn against the Rangers on the road Tuesday.

Cole (11-7) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out 14.

The 14 strikeouts are a season high for Cole, who has fanned double-digit batters eight times in 28 outings. He's also delivered three straight quality starts and five in his last six outings, posting a 2.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB through 40 innings over the latter stretch.

German didn't factor into the decision during a 5-4 extra-innings win over the Twins in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander tossed 63 of 90 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth straight quality start and fifth in his last six outings. German sports a 2.41 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB through 37.1 innings over the latter stretch, and while he hasn't been dominant, the 30-year-old is providing the Yankees' rotation with some much-needed stability.

Ryan (10-8) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, giving up four runs on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander continues to battle his control; Ryan has issued at least three free passes in three of his last four starts, posting a 4.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 21.1 innings over that stretch. While he's been able to limit the damage somewhat, 26-year-old is likely running out of gas at the end of his first full season in the majors -- he tossed 92.2 innings across all levels in 2021, but is already up to 125.1 frames this year.

Varland didn't factor into the decision in a 5-4 extra-innings loss during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Making his major-league debut, Varland got taken deep by Aaron Judge in the fourth inning, but he's far from alone in that this season. Otherwise, the 24-year-old looked sharp and fired 55 of 80 pitches for strikes before exiting with a 3-1 lead during the sixth inning, only for Griffin Jax to serve up a game-tying homer before the frame was over. Varland was up as the 29th man for the twin bill but may have earned another turn in the rotation with this performance, especially since Tyler Mahle (shoulder) is back on the injured list. Through 126.1 innings in the high minors this year, Varland produced a 3.06 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 146:42 K:BB.

Oviedo (2-2) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, surrendering four runs on one hit and five walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out two.

The 24-year-old couldn't get the ball over the plate with any consistency, and he needed 57 pitches (only 30 strikes) to record his five outs before getting the hook. Oviedo has issued eight free passes in 4.2 innings since joining the rotation at the beginning of the month, and the Pirates may not be inclined to give him another turn even as part of a bullpen day or in tandem with another pitcher.

DeGrom (5-1) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Chris Bassitt fanned 10 batters while giving up just one run in the matinee as the Mets swept the twin bill, and deGrom answered with a dominant start of his own in the nightcap. The two-time Cy Young Award winner fired 59 of 91 pitches for strikes and let only one Pittsburgh baserunner get into scoring position en route to his fifth straight quality start. Since making his season debut at the beginning of August, deGrom boasts a 1.66 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 63:4 K:BB through 43.1 innings.