MLB Player News

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.

Winder did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. He struck out six.

Winder fell victim to small ball as he allowed two RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. In four starts since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 11, the 25-year-old rookie has posted an unspectacular 5.59 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 19.1 innings, with five home runs allowed during that span.

Sewald picked up a save against the Rangers on Wednesday with a perfect ninth inning.

Sewald enjoyed one of his easiest and quickest saves this season, retiring all three batters he faced on just five combined pitches. The right-hander reached the 20-save mark for the first time in his career with his first save since Sept. 10. Sewald's strikeout rate has dropped a bit in 2022 compared to last season, but he's posting career-best marks with a 2.45 ERA and 0.74 WHIP.