MLB Player News

Hentges allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out three across four innings against the Rangers on Thursday. He did not factor into the decision.

It was another subpar performance for Hentges, who lasted only four innings for his second straight start. The 25-year-old just hasn't had the distance, pitching a maximum of five innings twice in 12 starts. Overall, Hentges has compiled a 7.31 ERA and 1.94 WHIP across 21 appearances. If he remains in the rotation, the southpaw tentatively aligns for a Wednesday start at Kansas City.

Otto will start Friday's game against Houston, John Blake, Executive Vice President of Communications for the Rangers reports.

The Rangers are missing Dane Dunning and Mike Foltynewicz, both of whom are on the COVID-19 injured list. That opens up opportunity for Otto, who was traded from the Yankees to the Rangers at the trade deadline. Otto has maintained a 2.70 ERA to go along with a 1.00 WHIP with a 19:7 K:BB across 20 innings at Triple-A Round Rock.

Hand will placed on the bereavement list Friday, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Hand's grandfather passed away, so he will be away from the team for between three and seven days. He's struggled to a 5.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across eight innings since being acquired by the Blue Jays.

McHugh (5-1) was credited with the win in a victory over the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing an earned run on three hits over two innings.

The outing was atypical for McHugh with respect to this season in a couple of ways, as the right-hander failed to record a strikeout in an appearance for the first time since May 30 while also allowing his first earned run since May 24. The two impressive stretches speak to McHugh's dominance, which is also reflected in his 1.43 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 28 appearances (five starts).

Mejia was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Mejia was sent to the minors in early August but didn't fare very well across his three starts with the Triple-A club. The right-hander posted a 9.64 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in 9.1 innings across his three most recent Triple-A appearances and will likely slot into a low-leverage bullpen role with the major-league squad.

Staumont was placed on the injured list Thursday for unspecified reasons.

No designation was provided with the move, so there's a possibility Staumont was placed on the COVID-19 injured list. If that's the case, he'll be eligible to be activated once he clears the health and safety protocols. Otherwise he'll be sidelined for at least the next 10 days.

Payamps (0-3) allowed an unearned run on one hit in one-third of an inning to take the loss Wednesday versus Houston.

The 27-year-old's run allowed came on a groundout with runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th. Payamps had not allowed a run in his previous 6.2 innings across two major-league stints prior to Wednesday. He has a 2.51 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB in 32.1 innings between Kansas City and Toronto this year. He's likely to see low-leverage opportunities for the remainder of the year.

Staumont allowed a run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning versus Houston on Wednesday.

Staumont picked up a hold in his appearance, though the Royals didn't end up holding onto the lead. Across 10.1 innings in August, Staumont has allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while racking up 13 strikeouts, a win and five holds. He's logged a 3.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 57:21 K:BB in 50 innings overall, in addition to five saves and nine holds while filling a versatile high-leverage role.

Boston manager Alex Cora suggested Barnes may not be used in a save situation the next time he pitches, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Cora avoided using Barnes on Wednesday after Boston's closer failed to get out of the ninth inning the previous two days. Going back to the beginning of August, Barnes has an ugly 16.88 ERA with three losses and two blown saves. "We'll see how the games go, right? We'll use him accordingly," Cora said. "I don't want to say, 'He's not the closer,' or, 'He is the closer,' 'He's a setup guy.' We've got to get him right. That's the most important thing." That statement is ambiguous and open to interpretation, but it suggests Barnes may be used in a low-leverage situation, then Cora will go from there. Garrett Whitlock and Hansel Robles replaced Barnes in relief Monday and Tuesday and could be in line for more opportunities.

Hendriks was not available to pitch Wednesday and may not be ready to pitch in Thursday's series finale against Toronto, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Hendriks was not available Wednesday, after the closer threw 39 pitches for the final five outs in Tuesday's win. La Russa added it's possible he won't be ready for Thursday's afternoon game. Craig Kimbrel is ready to pitch the ninth inning should a save situation arise.