MLB Player News

Hand (2-1) threw a scoreless ninth inning to become the pitcher of record in the Indians' 3-2 win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

A Jordan Luplow game-winning home run gave Hand his second win of the season. In fact, Hand has racked up both wins and four saves through his previous eight appearances, allowing only one run over that stretch. He lowered his season ERA to 2.29 with Wednesday's performance.

Barria gave up two runs on three hits and zero walks over two innings during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Padres. He had zero strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

The 24-year-old surrendered a two-run homer to Eric Hosmer during the first inning and only worked one time through the order before being lifted for Patrick Sandoval. It was likely Barria's final start of the season, but he figures to be available out of the bullpen this weekend after throwing only 32 pitches Wednesday. The right-hander has a 3.62 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB through 32.1 innings.

Junis was recalled from the alternate training site Wednesday.

The 28-year-old was demoted after allowing five runs during a spot start last week, but he'll rejoin the active roster with five games left in the season. According to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com, Junis will be utilized in short stints as a reliever down the stretch.

Merryweather (elbow) played catch Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Merryweather can't return before the end of the regular season, as he was placed on the injured list Monday, backdated to Friday. He could pitch in the playoffs, however, and the fact that he's already throwing again suggests he has a chance to do so.

Pearson (elbow) feels good and is expected to return from the injured list soon, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson won't have time to build up to a starting workload before the end of the year as he works his way back from an elbow strain, but he'll be able to pitch in shorter outings out of the bullpen. The Blue Jays want him to be ready for that role in the postseason and will give him at least one appearance before the end of the regular season to help him prepare.

Phillips hit the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Phillips left Tuesday's game against Boston with the injury, which will wind up ending his season prematurely. Assuming the diagnosis doesn't evolve to anything worse than inflammation, he should have plenty of time to heal before spring training. He'll finish the year with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP in 14.1 innings of relief, with his 14.5 percent walk rate generally offsetting a 29.0 percent strikeout rate.

Pivetta will start the Red Sox's season finale Sunday in Atlanta, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Pivetta provided a much-needed lift to the Boston rotation in his team debut Tuesday, striking out eight over five innings of one-run ball to pick up a win over the Orioles. The Red Sox are eager to evaluate Pivetta for a spot in the 2021 rotation, so it's no surprise that he'll get the opportunity to try and build on his strong outing this weekend. While Pivetta lines up for a stiff test against baseball's best offense (123 wRC+), the Braves could be resting several lineup regulars Sunday if the team is already locked into its spot in the National League playoffs.

The Blue Jays transferred Giles (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 45-day IL on Tuesday.

Giles announced a day earlier that he was set to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him for the remainder of the current season and likely all of the 2021 campaign. The move opened up a spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster, but Toronto has yet to add a player to take his place.

Crochet struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to Cleveland.

The White Sox pre-planned Crochet's appearance in the eighth inning, suggesting the rookie will be part of the postseason roster. Facing the top of Cleveland's order, the left-hander threw 18 four-seam fastballs among his 19 pitches, 11 of which topped 100 mph. He's yet to allow a run or a walk in three innings.

Rogers (2-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Tigers. He allowed one unearned run on two hits while fanning one across just one inning.

Rogers pitched the top of the 10th for the Twins and allowed the second-base runner to cross home plate on back-to-back one-out hits, but he bounced back to close the inning rather quickly. The offense backed him up with two runs in the bottom of the 10th, though, so Rogers ended as the winning pitcher in this extra-inning contest. Rogers has nine saves this season and should remain as Minnesota's primary closer heading into the playoffs.