MLB Player News

Patino allowed four runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus Cleveland on Thursday.

Patino was in line for the loss when he exited the contest, but the offense got him off the hook by rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning. The right-hander's ERA rose to 5.26 with a 1.25 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB across 25.2 innings this season. Considering manager Kevin Cash suggested Patino would need a strong performance to stick in the rotation going forward, it wouldn't be surprising to see the 21-year-old end up either in the bullpen or back at Triple-A Durham after an unimpressive start.

Alexander allowed one run across 3.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Rangers. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out four.

Alexander made his fourth start of the season and second in a row, but he was still limited to just 59 pitches and was unable to qualify for the win in a game the Tigers captured 7-5. The lefty figures to stick in the rotation moving forward with the likes of Jose Urena (groin), Matthew Boyd (triceps) and Spencer Turnbull (forearm) all on the injured list. Expect Alexander to build his pitch count up a bit more in his next scheduled start, which is set for Tuesday against the Twins.

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Thursday's win over the Rangers. He walked one and struck out two.

Soto registered a save for the third straight day, bringing him to 11 for the season. The Tigers have now won seven straight games coming out of the All-Star break, and Soto has benefitted, as he has saves in four of those seven victories. Michael Fulmer (neck) began a rehab assignment Thursday and should be back soon, but Soto should still see plenty of save chances the rest of the way, making him a useful fantasy asset.

Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Ramirez has been with the big-league club since late June and pitched on four occasions since. In that span, he worked 5.1 frames and delivered a solid 3.38 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Ramirez will likely be in consideration for a promotion if the Mariners are in need of extra bullpen arms later in the season.

Hearn is expected to be stretched out to a longer role in the near future, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

Hearn has pitched more than two innings in a given outing twice this season, but he could be used as a long reliever going forward. The Rangers haven't said whether the southpaw will be used as a traditional starter in 2021, but he could claim a spot in the starting rotation if Kyle Gibson is traded away prior to the end of July.

Feyereisen (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Thursday that revealed no structural damage to his shoulder, though he is dealing with some biceps tendinitis, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

The right-hander landed on the injured list Wednesday with right shoulder discomfort, but his shoulder actually checked out fine. Feyereisen is expected to be sidelined beyond the 10-day minimum, though he should not face an extended absence.

Morgan was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Morgan has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his seven starts this year, and he'll attempt to sort things out in the minors for now. The right-hander has posted a 7.47 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 31.1 innings with the major-league club in 2021. The team hasn't yet announced who could take his spot in the rotation, but left-hander Sam Hentges was recalled in a corresponding move.

The Rays recalled Patino from Triple-A Durham ahead of his scheduled start Thursday in Cleveland.

Since the All-Star break, the Rays haven't dealt with any new injuries to any starting pitchers, but manager Kevin Cash acknowledged that he will leave the door open for Patino to stick around as a member of the big-league rotation if he pitches well Thursday. Patino has submitted a 3.07 ERA while striking out 41 over 29.1 innings at Triple-A this season, but he was hit hard in his last cameo in the big leagues July 2, serving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings to take a loss against the Blue Jays.

Hentges was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hentges was sent to the minors prior to the All-Star break, and he gave up three runs in 4.1 innings across three relief appearances at Triple-A Columbus. He's posted an 8.23 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in 42.2 innings across 15 appearances (eight starts) in the majors this year, but he could be a candidate to claim a starting job after Eli Morgan was sent down in a corresponding move.

Rodriguez was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez still has a good chance to start long-term, but he made the Angels' Opening Day roster in a relief role. He recorded a 3.66 ERA in 19.2 innings, relying on a strong 60.7 percent groundball rate to make up for a mediocre 20:11 K:BB. He's been stretching out as a starter with Double-A Rocket City for the past month, reaching four innings in his most recent outing, and he will continue that process at the highest level of the minors going forward. He could be a rotation option down the stretch if the Angels are happy with his minor-league performance.