MLB Player News

Jax will make his second turn through the Twins' rotation Thursday in Houston.

After Jose Berrios was traded to the Blue Jays ahead of last week's deadline, Jax was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and made his third start of the season July 30 in St. Louis. The outing was one of the best of Jax's young big-league career, as he limited the Cardinals to one run on two hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision. With Berrios and J.A. Happ now in new locales and few attractive alternatives on hand at Triple-A or in the bullpen, Jax will likely get a long look in the big-league rotation over the final two months of the season.

McHugh (arm) completed a 21-pitch bullpen session Wednesday without issue and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the Rays' weekend series in Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Out since July 21 with right arm fatigue, McHugh appears to have performed well enough in his recent throwing sessions for the Rays to feel comfortable bringing him back from the IL without first sending him on a rehab assignment. Before McHugh was shut down, the Rays' closing picture was already in flux, and things have become even more unsettled with the team dealing away Diego Castillo to Seattle and with Pete Fairbanks (shoulder), J.P. Feyereisen (biceps) and Jeffrey Springs (knee) following McHugh to the IL. With that in mind, McHugh could factor into the mix for saves upon returning to the active roster.

Manaea (8-7) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Padres after allowing five runs on eight hits while fanning four.

Manaea started the game by giving up a solo shot to Tommy Pham, and that would set the tone for the rest of his outing. He was unable to get out of the fifth inning, and the five runs he allowed represented his highest mark since he gave up seven runs across two frames back on May 13 against the Red Sox. Manaea has given up at least three earned runs in four of his last six outings, but he still owns a solid 3.26 ERA on the season.

Fairbanks (shoulder) won't travel with the Rays during their upcoming road trip that runs from Friday until Aug. 15, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Although Fairbanks was able to play catch Tuesday, manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that the right-hander "just felt OK." A better idea of the 27-year-old's status should be revealed once he's able to throw without pain and resumes mound work.

Graveman allowed one hit, hit a batter, and struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers.

Houston, which was without closer Ryan Pressly (paternity), held a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the eighth with the heart of the Dodgers lineup due up. Instead of holding Graveman for the ninth for a potential save, manager Dusty Baker brought him in to face the teeth of Los Angeles' lineup. He danced around a single and a hit batsman to preserve the lead before ceding the ninth inning to Ryne Stanek.

Patino (2-3) took the loss Tuesday as the Rays fell 4-2 to the Mariners, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The rookie didn't pitch poorly, but a pair of solo shots in the third inning by Abraham Toro and Jarred Kelenic proved to be the difference in the game. Patino tossed 65 of 100 pitches for strikes, and that workload bodes well for his fantasy value down the stretch if he can become a little more efficient. On the season, the 21-year-old has a 4.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 36.2 innings.

Stanek struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his second save in a 3-0 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday.

With Ryan Pressly on the paternity list, the Astros did not have their closer available and were forced to improvise. This seemed like an ideal spot for the recently acquired Kendall Graveman, but manager Dusty Baker had the former Mariners closer pitch the eighth inning against the heart of the Los Angeles order.

Colome threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his third save in Tuesday's win over the Reds. He gave up a hit and walk with a strikeout.

He received the first save opportunity since Hansel Robles was traded Friday. With Taylor Rogers possibly missing the rest of the season with a thumb injury, Colome may become Minnesota's closer by default. The right-hander began the season as Minnesota's closer, but he was moved to low-leverage roles after he struggled with an 8.31 ERA and three blown saves in April. He's improved lately, however, posting a 3.72 ERA, 8.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in July. However, the closer role for the Twins could be in flux, as they may want to give Jorge Alcala and other younger players opportunities as they look toward 2022.

Hentges allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Tuesday's 7-2 loss to Toronto.

Hentges was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on July 22, but Tuesday was his first appearance since rejoining the major-league roster. The 25-year-old has worked as both a starter and a reliever this year, and he's been a long-relief option since his call-up. He owns an 8.04 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and 45:25 K:BB across 43.2 innings in 16 appearances (eight starts).

Fulmer worked around a hit to pitch a clean inning and record a hold in Tuesday's win over the Red Sox. He struck out three.

Fulmer got the seventh inning in this one and after allowing a leadoff single, the righty settled in and struck out the side, allowing him to pick up his fifth hold of the season in the 4-2 win. Since returning from the injured list last week, Fulmer has pitched four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, though he's yet to see a save opportunity. Gregory Soto shut things down Tuesday for his 12th save of the season. Both pitchers should remain in the mix for saves depending on matchups.