MLB Player News

The Twins reinstated Topa (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Topa has been on the injured list all season while working his way back from a torn patellar tendon he suffered during spring training and an elbow issue that appeared during a rehab assignment in August. He surrendered three earned runs over two innings after restarting his minor-league assignment Friday, and he's now been given the green light to return to Minnesota's bullpen for the team's final playoff push. Given the amount of time he's missed, the 33-year-old righty will likely be limited to middle relief. Cole Irvin was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Cortes (elbow) said he's hopeful to return from the 15-day injured list at some point late in the postseason if the Yankees make a deep run, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cortes had been scheduled to start Wednesday against the Orioles, but he was scratched from the outing due to an elbow issue and was sent in for an MRI. He was diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain and subsequently placed on the IL, making him ineligible to rejoin the Yankees until at least the ALCS. Cortes noted that he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days after getting a platelet-rich plasma injection for his elbow while also seeking at least two other doctors for further opinions on a treatment plan. On a positive note, Cortes told Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com that his UCL remains intact, so the lefty appears likely to avoid surgery and will hope to make a full recovery through rest and rehab.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced Wednesday that Rodriguez (lat) has been shut down and won't pitch again this season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old hasn't suffered any sort of setback with the lat strain he sustained in early August, but he apparently hadn't progressed enough to be a potential factor during the playoffs. Rodriguez will focus his rehab efforts on getting ready for 2025 after finishing this season with a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB across 116.2 innings.

Kirby (14-11) hurled six innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Wednesday against Houston, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six.

Kirby was shaky to start this one, plunking Jeremy Pena and issuing a rare base on balls in the opening frame. Kirby settled in shortly thereafter, cruising through six innings to pick up his third consecutive quality start and his 20th overall. Kirby showcased his historic control yet again this season, leading MLB with a 7.9 K/BB and a microscopic 1.1 BB/9. The 26-year-old will end the regular season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB in 191 innings (33 starts). The right-hander's combination of pinpoint control and durability makes him one of the most reliable pitchers in fantasy, although his modest strikeout totals cap his ceiling.

Kjerstad is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Kjerstad had occupied the designated-hitter spot in each of the previous three games and started five of the past six contests overall, but he'll likely move into more of a part-time role following Ryan Mountcastle's reinstatement from the injured list Tuesday. Mountcastle and O'Hearn will serve as the Orioles' first baseman and designated hitter, respectively, Wednesday and are expected to occupy either lineup spot in some fashion more often than not heading into the postseason.

Rutschman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

He'll hit the bench after starting in each of the past five games, with four coming at catcher. James McCann will fill in for Rutschman behind the dish Wednesday.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

The lefty-hitting Frazier will take a seat for the third game in a row while the Royals face a third consecutive left-handed starting pitcher (DJ Herz). Frazier still looks to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role in right field, but Tommy Pham will occupy the position Wednesday.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan (elbow) touched 94-to-95 mph in a 16-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday at Tropicana Field, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Cash added that McClanahan -- who is coming back from August 2023 Tommy John surgery -- is "mentally ready to go" and "excited about a normal offseason." The left-hander is expected to be ready for spring training and next year's Opening Day, although he is expected to have workload restrictions in place after missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign.

The Twins recalled Martin from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Martin is absorbing the roster spot of the injured Matt Wallner (oblique). Martin, Manuel Margot and Jose Miranda are options to see more playing time with Wallner shelved.

The Twins placed Wallner on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Wallner suffered the injury during a pinch-hitting appearance in Tuesday's loss to the Marlins, and it will cost him the remainder of the regular season. He would be eligible to return during the ALDS if replacing an injured player, although neither the Twins making it that far nor Wallner being healthy by then is guaranteed. Austin Martin has rejoined the active roster in Wallner's place.