MLB Player News

Bassitt (face) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt threw off flat ground Wednesday and said he felt "fantastic" afterward, so he'll progress to mound work this weekend. The right-hander isn't yet sure how many bullpen sessions he'll require before he's able to face hitters, but he's recently made encouraging progress in his recovery from facial surgery.

Albers will start Thursday's game against Cleveland, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Albers' status as Thursday's starter doesn't come as a significant surprise since the southpaw was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul after Randy Dobnak (finger) was scratched from his scheduled start. Whether Albers remains in the rotation likely depends on whether he can turn things around after he gave up nine runs in three innings during his last appearance, but he'll be pitching on normal rest in Thursday's series finale.

Albers was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Albers was sent down Sunday after he gave up nine runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two in three innings against the Rays on Saturday. The Twins haven't officially announced who will start Thursday's game against Cleveland after Randy Dobnak (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list, but Albers would seem to be a candidate to rejoin the rotation.

Montas improved to 12-9 on Wednesday after limiting the White Sox to one run on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in Oakland's 5-1 victory.

Montas' placement on the restricted list last week due to visa concerns resulted in him being bumped back a day in the rotation, but it didn't disrupt his stellar form since the All-Star break. He tamed a potent White Sox lineup en route to collecting his third win in as many starts, and the seven innings tied his longest outing of the season. The right-hander has submitted a 2.26 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 76:19 K:BB in 63.2 innings through 10 second-half starts.

Martinez (thumb) played catch on the field Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Martinez is considered unlikely to return before the end of the season, though he's not yet been completely ruled out. The fact that he's throwing in some capacity is certainly a positive sign, but he's still several steps from getting back into game action and doesn't seem to have the time to complete those steps before the campaign ends.

Gonsolin (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Thursday's start against the Cardinals, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Gonsolin had been on the injured list since July 31 but will take the mound in Thursday's series finale in St. Louis. He recently made a rehab start and allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out one in 2.1 innings. The right-hander will likely be on a pitch count during Thursday's matchup, but he'll provide a boost to the Dodgers' rotation now that he's healthy.

Wells recorded the final out of Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Royals to record his second save of the season.

It didn't look like the O's would have a closing situation at all for most of the game, as they were down 5-0 heading into the eighth inning before erupting for an incredible nine runs in the bottom of the frame, but Dillon Tate let the Royals back into it in the top of the ninth, forcing Wells into action. The 27-year-old appears to be the closer du jour for manager Brandon Hyde, but unlike some prior applicants for the role, Wells actually has the stuff and numbers to credibly fit the assignment. He's averaging 95.1 mph with his fastball and allowing a .199 xwOBA on his slider this year while posting a 3.27 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 63:10 K:BB through his first 52.1 big-league innings.

Gil didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on one hit and seven walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out six.

Recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day, Gil looked nothing like the pitcher who didn't allow a run in any of his first three big-league starts. He issued as many free passes Wednesday as he had in those three outings combined, tossing only 47 of 91 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, but the Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the fifth to help him escape his first loss. With Gerrit Cole (hamstring) not 100 percent, Gil's chances of sticking around in the rotation are a little better, but if he can't rein in the walks the Yankees will have to look to other options.

Manoah didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Yankees, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander blanked the Yanks through four innings before getting tagged for all three of his runs in the fifth, tying the score at 3-3, and Manoah got the hook in the sixth after a single and a walk to finish with 101 pitches (62 strikes). The rookie's control has been slipping lately and he's issued three free passes in three of his last four starts, but considering he's thrown a career-high 103 innings between Triple-A and the majors in 2021, fatigue could well be a factor. Since the All-Star break, Manoah has a 4.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 40:16 K:BB through 44.2 innings.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over nine innings. He struck out a career-high 14.

The right-hander is emerging as the bona fide ace he's long been projected to become. Alcantara's lone mistake Wednesday resulted in a seventh-inning solo shot by Michael Conforto, but he was otherwise dominant over 114 pitches (81 strikes). The 26-year-old has fanned double-digit batters in three of his last four starts, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and brilliant 43:4 K:BB through 29.1 innings over that stretch.