MLB Player News

Heasley (4-9) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out one across 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against Detroit.

Heasley was hit hard throughout his start, as he allowed five extra-base hits -- including two homers. He entered the game having tallied a quality start in three of his last four appearances, though he also allowed seven earned runs in the other start during that span. Heasley should take one more turn through the rotation this season, and he'll enter that contest with a 5.00 ERA and 66:45 K:BB across 99 innings.

King (elbow) learned Thursday that he doesn't need Tommy John surgery, Gary Phillips of SI.com reports.

King underwent surgery to repair a fractured right elbow in late July and had since been waiting for word on whether he'd need the Tommy John procedure. A recent MRI revealed that his UCL is in fact intact, meaning that the additional surgery is not needed. King indicated that he plans to resume throwing as soon as late October. That puts him in line to have a relatively normal offseason and to be ready to return to the mound by spring training next year.

Castillo is listed as the Royals' probable starting pitcher for Sunday's game in Cleveland.

Through his first three starts as a member of the Royals after coming over in a trade with the Blue Jays on Aug. 2, Castillo has logged a 5.93 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 13.2 innings. He'll get one final chance Sunday to try and end the season on a high note, but Castillo will likely have to compete for a spot in the Royals' Opening Day rotation next spring regardless of how he fares against the Guardians.

Howard (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Howard appeared in four games with Round Rock during his rehab assignment, and he'll remain with the affiliate now that he's been fully cleared from the right shoulder impingement that put him on the IL in early August. The 26-year-old has appeared in 10 games for the Rangers this year and has a 7.41 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 32:15 K:BB across 37.2 innings.

Faucher was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher spent just under a week in the major-league bullpen and converted his lone save chance while striking out three in four scoreless innings over three appearances. However, he'll be cast off the active roster after Easton McGee's contract was selected Thursday.

Karinchak (2-0) struck out the side to earn the extra-inning win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Karinchak needed 15 pitches (10 strikes) to keep the game tied at 1-1 in the 10th inning, and Amed Rosario delivered a walkoff single in the bottom half of the frame. Over his last six innings, Karinchak has a 9:1 K:BB and has allowed only two hits without surrendering a run. The righty owns a 1.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB with three saves, eight holds and a blown save through 37.1 innings this year.

Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Cuas picked up the win in his last appearance and has posted a 2.57 ERA in September, but his 1.86 WHIP this month suggests he got a bit lucky, and the Royals decided to remove him from the roster to open up a spot for fellow reliever Taylor Clarke.

Clarke (oblique) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Clarke tossed an inning in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Monday, and that was all the Royals needed to see before adding him back to the roster. Clarke has posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB over 29.2 big-league innings since the start of June, so he could be used in high-leverage spots the rest of the way.

Martinez (4-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits over 4.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out four.

Martinez retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced before surrendering a solo home run to Mike Trout in the fourth inning to make it a 1-1 game. The Angels then tacked on two more runs in the frame. Martinez has now allowed three or more runs in four consecutive starts, going 0-3 over that stretch with a 9.33 ERA and 1.91 WHIP.

Smith (0-2) took the loss on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Smith entered for the 10th inning with the score tied 2-2 and retired two of the four batters he faces before being pulled in favor of righty Bryan Abreu. The left-hander is 0-2 in 11 September appearances, allowing four earned runs with 10 strikeouts and two walks over that stretch.