MLB Player News

McHugh (back) threw off a mound Friday and will do so again Sunday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

McHugh has been on the injured list since Sunday with a lower-back strain, but the fact that he's already advanced to mound work suggests it won't be a long absence. He'll be eligible to return Wednesday, though it's not yet clear if that's his target return date.

Fairbanks (shoulder) is close to returning, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Fairbanks has been out for two weeks with a strained right rotator cuff. He was initially expected to be completely shut down for two or three weeks, but he's evidently ahead of that schedule. The Rays still haven't provided a clear timeline for his return, however.

Kay was optioned to Toronto's alternate training site Friday.

Kay made a single start during his time with the team, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3.1 innings of work. He hasn't pitched in over a week. Tyler Chatwood (triceps) was activated in a corresponding move.

Wittgren (0-1) was charged with the loss Thursday after giving up two runs on two hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning versus the Yankees.

He entered the game in the seventh inning but was in trouble almost immediately, and a two-run single from Rougned Odor was enough to stick Wittgren with the loss. The right-hander has struggled with six earned runs allowed in 5.1 innings so far. He's got a 5:4 K:BB, one save and three holds. Fantasy managers looking for closing options from Cleveland would do better to check on the availability of Emmanuel Clase.

Montero (2-0) struck out a batter in a perfect ninth inning Thursday, ultimately earning the win in a 7-3 extra-inning victory over Boston.

The righty lowered his ERA to 2.61 and his WHIP to 0.77 in 10.1 innings. Montero boasts a four-pitch repertoire that's slightly unusual for a reliever, but it has proven effective thus far in 2021. Seattle's surprising early-season success has given Montero high-leverage innings, but blowing three of his first six save opportunities has opened the door for Kendall Graveman and Keynan Middleton to become part of the closing picture for the Mariners as well.

Manager Joe Maddon said Thursday that he now believes Rodriguez has what it takes to eventually move into a starting role, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. "The changeup really adds another layer to him," Maddon said. "He's a strike-thrower and he can get quick outs by challenging hitters with that fastball and force them to beat it into the ground. You can see him becoming a front-line starter. It gives me a lot to think about now that I've seen it."

The skipper made some eyebrow-raising comments in spring training, saying that Rodriguez looked like a reliever to him, but apparently he is changing his tune. Moving past Maddon's lack of foresight, this is excellent news for those who have been rostering Rodriguez in dynasty leagues. Despite this high praise, the 22-year-old will likely stay in the bullpen all season given his injury history so that the Angels can monitor his innings and workload, but it sounds like he could be stretched out for the 2022 season. The righty has a 3.48 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 30.4 percent strikeout rate and 64 percent groundball rate through 10.1 innings (five appearances). His top priority in the short term will be cutting his 13 percent walk rate.

Cisnero (0-1) allowed one run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates. He struck out one.

Starter Jose Urena left the game after seven innings with the score tied 2-2, but Cisnero and then Gregory Soto both struggled in the eighth as Pittsburgh scored twice. Soto has been mostly solid for the Tigers but Cisnero has struggled, as he's now allowed seven hits and five earned runs in just 6.2 innings pitched. He also blew his only save opportunity to date, and at this point, Soto should be considered the frontrunner for future save opportunities.

Ottavino allowed one run on two walks during the eighth inning of Tuesday's 7-3 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.

Ottavino failed to protect Boston's one-run lead, issuing his fifth and sixth walks of the season. He's permitted those six free passes in just 6.2 innings. Combined with Darwinzon Hernandez, another late-inning option for the Red Sox, the two have combined to walk 14 over 13.2 innings.

Trivino allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in an extra-inning win over the Twins on Wednesday. He struck out three.

Charged with preserving a 10-10 tie in the top of the 10th after getting through the ninth unscathed, Trivino allowed a go-ahead two-run homer to Byron Buxton but was ultimately bailed out by the Athletics' three-run rally in the home half of the frame. The round tripper marked the first time the right-hander had been scored upon since his second outing of the season back on April 3 against the Astros.

Pivetta allowed two earned runs on one hit and three walks while striking out four across six innings Thursday against the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision.

Pivetta held the Mariners without a hit through 5.2 innings and had surrendered only one walk in that span. However, he unraveled before getting his final out, walking two and surrendering a game-tying double. Even so, it was an encouraging outing for Pivetta, as he matched his longest start of the season and needed only 86 pitches to record 18 outs. He now has a 3.48 ERA across 20.2 innings to begin the campaign, but he'll need to improve on his 18:14 K:BB. Pivetta is projected to draw his next turn through the rotation Wednesday at the Mets.