MLB Player News

Howard (shoulder) covered five innings and struck out six while allowing three runs on four hits and no walks in his most recent rehab outing Friday with Triple-A Round Rock.

Making the third appearance of his rehab assignment, Howard tossed 63 pitches (44 strikes). The Rangers haven't outlined their next steps for Howard, but he looks like he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list and slot back into the big-league rotation at some point during the team's series this weekend in Anaheim. Before landing on the IL on Aug. 10 with right shoulder impingement syndrome, Howard had compiled a 7.41 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 32:15 K:BB in 37.2 innings with Texas.

Mayza (8-0) walked one batter in one-third of an inning Monday to record the win in a 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Yankees.

After Anthony Bass began the 10th inning and got the first two outs while also walking a batter, Mayza got the call from the bullpen and intentionally walked Aaron Judge to load the bases before getting Anthony Rizzo to ground out. Mayza was then rewarded for his brief performance when Vladimir Guerrero laced a walkoff single in the bottom of the frame. The lefty reliever has the most wins in the majors without a loss this season, and it's not even close -- the next-best unblemished record is a 5-0 mark held by a few different pitchers -- and Mayza's also supplied a 2.91 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB through 46.1 innings.

Akin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

After giving up three earned runs over just a third of an inning Sunday, Akin will spend some time in the minors. He was in the middle of a career year -- recording a 3.40 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 76.2 innings -- but he will be sent to Triple-A nonetheless. Logan Gillaspie will be promoted to replace Akin in the Orioles' bullpen.

Gillaspie was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Gillaspie's last major league stint came in mid-August when he threw 1.2 scoreless innings over two appearances. This season, he's been much more effective in Baltimore -- where he has a 0.00 ERA over 6.1 innings -- compared to on the road (11.25 ERA). Keegan Akin was optioned down to Norfolk in order to make room for Gillaspie.

Miller will be called up from Triple-A Round Rock prior to Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Miller has thrown three innings in the majors this season, allowing six runs in the process. Since he was most recently working as a member of Round Rock's rotation and covered five innings in his last outing Sept. 18, he could end up serving as a bulk reliever behind Jesus Tinoco, who is scheduled to serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game.

Ponce de Leon, who signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sept. 9, has produced a 1.69 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while striking out 15 in 16 innings across his first three starts with Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers are the fourth organization that Ponce de Leon has been a part of in 2022 after prior stints with the Angels, Mariners and Nationals. Though he made at least two starts in the big leagues in each of the past four seasons, the 30-year-old has yet to surface in the majors in 2022 after turning in a collective 6.52 ERA in 116 innings at Triple-A. His strong finish to the campaign at Toledo could be enough to convince the Tigers to keep Ponce de Leon in the fold for 2023, though the veteran right-hander could choose to elect free agency this winter.

Pilkington struck out four over 3.1 innings and allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks in his most recent start Friday for Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians returned Pilkington to Triple-A on Sept. 18, one day after he was called up as Cleveland's 29th man for a doubleheader with the Twins. He covered 5.2 scoreless innings in the spot start with Cleveland -- his 11th overall of the season -- and struck out six while allowing one hit and two walks. With Aaron Civale recently returning from the injured list and Zach Plesac (hand) set to return during the upcoming week, Pilkington likely won't get the call back to Cleveland before the end of the season unless the Guardians lose another starting pitcher.

Lovelady (elbow) was reinstated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 60-day injured list Sept. 18 and struck out two over a scoreless inning in his 2022 debut for the affiliate.

Lovelady made a remarkably quick recovery from the Tommy John surgery he required last September, making his return to game action exactly 12 months later. After the strong showing at Northwest Arkansas, Lovelady was bumped up to Triple-A Omaha last week. He struck out four over two scoreless innings between his first two appearances at Omaha.

Swanson (2-2) took the loss against the Royals on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits over one-third of an inning.

Swanson was also charged with his second blown save of the season in what was his second straight loss, blowing an 11-8 lead by allowing a pair of RBI singles and a two-run double. Swanson's stumbles are exceedingly rare during a season in which he's been one of manager Scott Servais' most reliable bullpen options -- he's still carrying a 1.85 ERA and 0.95 WHIP alongside an 11.7 K/9 despite the recent struggles.

The Rays outrighted Herget to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

He'll remain in the Tampa Bay organization after he went unclaimed upon being exposed to waivers over the weekend. Herget has made two appearances at the big-league level but has otherwise spent the entire campaign at Durham, where he's produced a 2.98 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 93.2 innings.