MLB Player News

Fleming (7-4) earned the win in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Cleveland. He allowed just one walk and struck out two over 2.2 scoreless innings.

Fleming was excellent in his return from a short stay on the injured list with a calf injury. The southpaw and four other Tampa Bay pitches combined to limit Cleveland to just two walks in the seven-inning contest. Fleming lowered his ERA to 3.26 with a 1.03 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB through 69 innings this year. The 25-year-old has started six of his 14 appearances, but his role going forward has not yet been determined, although he's pitched well enough to maintain a spot in the rotation.

McHugh pitched two perfect innings and struck out three in a 4-0 win in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Cleveland. He did not factor in the decision.

McHugh was the first of five Tampa Bay pitchers to limit Cleveland to no hits in this seven-inning contest. The right-hander has mostly been a reliever this year, and to great effect -- he has a 1.77 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 53:7 K:BB across 35.2 innings. McHugh has added four holds and a 2-1 record in 20 appearances.

Mejia (1-4) allowed six runs on four hits and two walks in 2.2 innings, striking out a pair of batters and enduring the loss in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Rays.

The righty's 73rd and final pitch of the afternoon was launched to right-center by Kevin Kiermaier for a three-run home run. Combined with his previous start, Mejia has now yielded 12 runs in his last 6.2 innings, raising his ERA to a dismal 7.42 through 30.1 total innings. He'll almost certainly be relegated to the bullpen, or Triple-A, once Cleveland's rotation is healthy again, but he may still enjoy starter status following the All-Star break while Shane Bieber (shoulder) and Aaron Civale (finger) continue working their way back.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Merryweather "had a little setback," in his recovery from a left oblique strain and has yet to resume throwing off a mound, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

The right-hander was previously nearing a bullpen session but is now currently back to just playing catch after being shut down for a few days. Merryweather will continue to work toward throwing off a mound, though it doesn't sound like the Blue Jays have an exact date in mind for when that milestone could be reached. With all of this in mind, the reliever doesn't seem likely to be activated until late July at the earliest.

Manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that it's "safe to assume" that Pruitt (elbow) won't return before the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pruitt has been on a rehab assignment since mid-June, and he's posted a 9.53 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 5.2 innings across five appearances (four starts) between Low-A Fayetteville and Triple-A Sugar Land. However, he'll still need more time to recover following September elbow surgery, so he's unlikely to return until mid-July at the earliest.

Thornton was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo prior to Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Thornton's demotion comes as no surprise, as he's allowed a combined eight earned runs across his last four relief appearances. Newly acquired Trevor Richards will take his spot on the 26-man roster.

Montero allowed three earned runs on five hits over two innings in a loss to the Yankees on Tuesday. He struck out one.

Montero's struggles continued Tuesday, as he pitched to plenty of contact, the most damaging which was a three-run home run by former Rangers teammate Rougned Odor. The struggling right-hander has now given up multiple earned runs in four of his last five appearances, ballooning his ERA and WHIP to 6.64 and 1.47, respectively, across 39.1 innings.

Lange (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

Lange landed on the IL in mid-June with a right shoulder strain. The right-hander pitched a scoreless inning during a rehab outing with Toledo on Tuesday, and he'll remain in Triple-A for the time being. Lange holds a 7.31 ERA through 16 major-league innings this season, but he remains a candidate to rejoin the Tigers' bullpen later this summer.

Pitching coach Dave Bush said Wednesday that Brasier has still not cleared concussion protocols after being hit in the head June 4, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Brasier resumed baseball activities in late June, but per Bush, he's yet to throw off a mound as he continues to be monitored for his concussion. It sounds like he'll be limited to ground work until he's officially out of the concussion protocol, which means he's likely up to a month away from returning to the Boston bullpen.

Fleming (calf) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Although Collin McHugh will serve as the opener in Wednesday's nightcap, Fleming will likely serve as the primary pitcher after he spent just over the minimum amount of time on the injured list with a right calf strain. The lefty has made 13 appearances (six starts) for the Rays this year, and he's posted a 3.39 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 66.1 innings. Left-hander Ryan Sherriff was sent down in a corresponding move.