MLB Player News

The Blue Jays recalled Thornton from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Thornton's fresh arm joins the team in Baltimore and will provide additional bullpen depth for the series finale. He takes the active roster spot of Anthony Castro, whom the Blue Jays optioned Sunday.

Pivetta (COVID-19) was activated from the virus-related injured list ahead of Sunday's start against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The vaccinated Pivetta is back with the team after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. The righty has struggled in each of his last three starts and faces a tough White Sox lineup today, although perhaps his being well-rested will lead to a stronger performance.

The Rays activated Anderson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The righty is ready to make his 2021 debut after missing over five months with an elbow ligament injury. Anderson figures to be eased into high-leverage work, although his track record of excellence in such a role suggests he'll be recording holds and possibly saves sooner rather than later. He fills the 40-man roster spot of Shawn Armstrong, whom the Rays DFA'd on Sunday.

The Rays designated Armstrong for assignment Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The righty gets demoted after allowing four earned runs total in his last two appearances. Armstrong's 4.50 ERA in 16 innings since joining the Rays is respectable, and the Rays' frequent bullpen shuffling suggests he could find himself back with the club in the near future. That is, unless he gets claimed off waivers. Nick Anderson (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list to fill Armstrong's 40-man roster spot.

Hendriks fired a scoreless ninth inning Saturday but appeared to be experiencing discomfort, Brian Sandalow of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said pitching coach Ethan Katz thought he noticed something and asked the pitcher about it. Hendriks confirmed that he is fine.

Taylor recorded his first career save in Saturday's 9-8 extra-inning win over the White Sox, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless 10th inning.

Hansel Robles pitched the sixth inning and Garrett Whitlock the eighth and ninth Friday, while Adam Ottavino worked the night before, leaving closing duties to Taylor when the Red Sox pushed across a run in the top of the 10th. The southpaw hasn't been particularly sharp since coming off the COVID-19 list, giving up two runs in 2.2 innings across four appearances, but as the top left-hander in the bullpen he could potentially see another save chance or two down the stretch as part of Boston's high-leverage crew.

Chapman fired a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit while striking out one to earn the save in the win over the Mets on Saturday.

Chapman entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He gave up a ground-rule double to J.D. Davis, but retired the other three batters to earn the save. It has been rough for the closer lately, as he's allowed runs in four of his last nine appearances. He has a 3.78 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with a stellar 15.3 K/9 in 47.2 innings this season.

Iglesias gave up a run on two hits and a walk but secured the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Astros. He had one strikeout.

Iglesias entered with a 4-1 lead and pitched himself into a jam with a one-out single, a balk, a passed ball and a walk in front of a Garrett Stubbs RBI double. Iglesias settled down after that, striking out Jose Altuve and getting Chas McCormick to pop out to end the game. It was the 31st save of the year for Iglesias, who has successfully converted his last 10 opportunities.

Pearson (1-1) allowed a hit and two walks with two strikeouts in two innings to earn the win in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader versus Baltimore.

The 25-year-old worked the fifth and sixth innings of a game Baltimore was leading until the seventh, when Toronto pulled ahead. That was enough to give Pearson his first win of the year in his fifth appearance. He's allowed seven runs (six earned) across 7.1 innings with a 7:7 K:BB, so it's safe to assume he'll remain in a multi-inning relief role going forward.

Romano pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in an 11-10 win over Baltimore in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader.

The right-hander didn't seem likely to pitch in the contest until Toronto rallied ahead in the seventh inning. Romano got the job done with his third straight scoreless inning after allowing three runs in two innings earlier in September versus Oakland. The 28-year-old has a 2.45 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 72:20 K:BB across 55 innings this year, and he's gone 17-for-18 in save chances.