MLB Player News

Richards was recalled from the alternate training site for Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles and is likely to start or serve as the primary pitcher in Game 2, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The team won't make any plans official until the completion of the matinee, but as of now Richards is expected to see the bulk of the innings during Game 2. The 27-year-old has a 5.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 28.2 innings this season.

Phillips was recalled from the alternate training site for Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays.

The 26-year-old will join Baltimore as the 29th man for the twin bill and should return to the alternate site after Game 2. Phillips has a 4.09 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB over 11 innings this season.

Zimmermann is starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The roster move won't be official until after the completion of the matinee, but the 25-year-old is penciled in as the starter for Game 2. Zimmermann made his way to Triple-A in 2019 and made seven starts with a 4.89 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 38.2 innings. According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, the young right-hander may not remain in the rotation after Thursday, but he'll still have a role with the big-league club for the closing stretch of the season.

Littell cleared waivers and was outrighted to the alternate training site Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old last saw game action Aug. 21 before spending some time on the injured list with elbow inflammation, and he's now been removed from the 40-man roster. Littell had a 2.68 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 29 outings for the Twins last year, but he struggled in brief action during 2020 with seven runs allowed over 6.1 innings.

Manager Ron Roenicke said that he expects Pivetta to be recalled from the Red Sox's alternate site and join the rotation at some point next week, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Specifically, Roenicke suggested that Pivetta would be a strong possibility to start Tuesday's game against the Orioles, which would set the right-hander up for another outing in the Sept. 27 season finale in Atlanta, assuming Boston sticks with a five-man rotation. Given the infrequency of pitchers receiving two starts in a given week -- especially at the end of the season -- Pivetta could make for a sneaky pickup in AL-only or deeper mixed leagues. Fantasy managers looking to roster Pivetta should recognize the risk he carries in the ratio categories (career 5.50 ERA, 1.43 WHIP), but he could really move the needle in the strikeout category (career 24.4 K%) if he's able to work deep enough into his starts.

Hendriks allowed one hit and had two strikeouts over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win at Colorado.

The right-hander entered with one out in the eighth inning and the bases empty, and he secured the five-out save with minimal fanfare. Hendriks has a 1.23 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 32:3 K:BB over 22 innings while converting 13 of 14 save opportunities.

Fleming gave up one hit and one walk over 3.2 scoreless innings during Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the Nationals. He had two strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

The 24-year-old was set to follow opener Pete Fairbanks, but he ended up entering as the third pitcher of the day. Still, it was a strong rebound outing for Fleming, who had given up seven runs in his previous two outings. The southpaw has a 3.47 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 18:5 K:BB through 23.1 innings and next lines up to start Monday, though it remains to be seen if he'll follow an opener again.

Lopez will start Thursday's game against the Twins, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The 26-year-old previously lined up to start Friday, but he'll be pushed up day as Dallas Keuchel (back) won't be activated off the injured list. Lopez has struggled in his two starts against Minnesota this season, giving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and four walks over 2.1 innings.

Pressly (1-3) was charged with the loss against the Rangers on Wednesday, recording two outs while allowing one run on two hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Pressly came into a scoreless game in the ninth inning and immediately gave up a leadoff single to Leody Taveras. He then allowed Taveras to score on a ground-rule double by Joey Gallo, giving the Rangers the lead for good. It was the third loss of the season for the right-hander, who has converted 10 saves in 13 opportunities. On the season, Pressly holds a 4.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

Akin (1-1) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out nine across five scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against Atlanta.

Akin held Atlanta's lineup in check throughout his time on the mound, allowing nothing more than a single. He also punched out a career-best nine batters on the strength of 19 swinging strikes across 93 total pitches. It's been a mixed bag for Akin through four career starts, as he's maintained a 3.38 ERA and struck out 25 batters across 18.2 frames. However, he's also struggled with his command, surrendering nine free passes in that span. He'll take his next turn through the rotation Tuesday at Boston.