MLB Player News

Misiewicz, who allowed a hit and no walks over a scoreless eighth inning in a loss to the Astros on Tuesday, has yet to give up a run across the 7.1 innings covering his first nine appearances.

The southpaw has also recorded a pair of wins and holds apiece, making him a surprising fantasy asset in formats that factor in the latter category. Misiewicz is also displaying career-best control, as evidenced by his 1.2 BB/9.

Fairbanks (shoulder) is slated to pitch in a minor-league game Thursday in Port Charlotte, Fla., Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Fairbanks is one of three rehabbing Rays relievers expected to throw Thursday, with Collin McHugh (back) and Cody Reed (thumb) also included on the pitching schedule. The Rays will likely want to see Fairbanks pitch in at least one or two more rehab games at the alternate site or at a minor-league affiliate before potentially bringing him back from the 10-day injured list next week.

Richards was credited with his first hold in a win over the Athletics on Tuesday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed no hits and one walk.

Richards was highly efficient in his setup role behind Diego Castillo, needing only 13 pitches to get his three outs. The 27-year-old has improved after a pair of uneven appearances to start the season, rebounding from allowing a pair of earned runs apiece in each of his first two trips to the mound to giving up just one earned run over the four innings covering his last pair of outings.

McHugh (back) is set to throw again at the alternate training site Thursday and could be activated for the start of the Rays' next road trip Monday, the Associated Press reports.

The veteran appears to be making solid progress throughout his recovery timeline, as he was able to throw off a mound both Friday and Sunday without setbacks. If McHugh continues on the same trajectory, it appears he'll have a chance to return to his long-relief role having spent just a handful of days over the minimum on the injured list.

Fairbanks (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The right-handed reliever has been on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain since April 9, and Wednesday will represent another step in the right direction for Fairbanks. If all goes well with the bullpen session, it's possible Fairbanks could face live hitters as his next step.

Cleveland reinstated Wittgren (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Wittgren ended up spending two days away from the team following the birth of his son. He'll be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale against the Twins.

Andriese pitched a perfect eighth inning for his second hold in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Mets.

The eighth inning of a close game is usually a situation for Adam Ottavino, but he had pitched three of the previous four games. Andriese is pitching well in a variety of bullpen roles, permitting just two earned runs and striking out 11 over 12.2 innings.

Raley struck out two over a perfect eighth inning in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Seattle.

Entering the eighth inning with a two-run lead would normally mean Ryne Stanek, but he threw 29 pitches Monday, so manager Dusty Baker rolled with Raley. Joe Smith had opened the season as the eighth-inning man, but he's pitched himself out of the role with a 12.71 ERA. Raley had given up runs in six of 10 outings but was given the chance to preserve the lead for closer Ryan Pressly. He picked up his third hold with the perfect inning, the second time in three appearances that he's retired all three batters faced.

Tate pitched 2.2 innings Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits with one strikeout versus the Yankees.

Tate took over in a long-relief assignment after starter Bruce Zimmermann was tagged for four runs in 3.2 innings. The 26-year-old Tate only gave up a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the seventh inning. Through 10 innings, Tate has a 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and four strikeouts. He's picked up two holds and a loss in nine outings -- the right-hander has mostly worked in a low-leverage role.

Barnes struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Mets.

He needed only 10 pitches, nine of them strikes, to breeze through the heart of the New York order. Barnes has taken a huge step forward with his control so far this season, cutting his walk rate nearly in half from his 12.4 percent mark in 2020 while assembling a 22:3 K:BB through 13 innings, and he's a perfect 5-for-5 on save chances as a result.