MLB Player News

Thornton (5-9) allowed no hits and a walk while striking out seven across five scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Thornton entered the game in the third inning to work as the primary pitcher behind Wilmer Font. He was given eight runs of support across his first two innings, but he didn't need much while allowing only one baserunner across his five frames and closing his stellar outing by retiring 13 consecutive batters. While Thornton's first 28 appearances of the season came as a traditional starter, his usage to close the season remains unclear. However, he should pitch next in some capacity on Tuesday at Baltimore.

Hand underwent an MRI for an apparent arm injury and returned to Cleveland after Tuesday's game against the Angels, Anthony Alford of WTAM 11 Cleveland reports.

Hand last appeared Sunday, when he earned the save in Minnesota, and he took a late flight back from Los Angeles on Tuesday to undergo the MRI, which came back clean. Manager Terry Francona indicated the lefty wasn't properly "bouncing back" from his throws but was still encouraged by his progress. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but Hand will be evaluated further Friday with the team returning from the road trip.

Chavez underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow Monday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Chavez finished the season with a 4.85 ERA in 78 innings. He'll be shut down for eight weeks but will then start a throwing program in time to be ready for the start of spring training.

Milner landed on the 60-day injured list with a cervical nerve injury Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The move rules Milner out for the season. He'll end the year with a 7.36 ERA in 3.2 big-league innings, the exact same figure he recorded over 7.1 innings last season. Johnny Davis' contract was selected in a corresponding move.

Harvey (biceps) said Wednesday that he hopes to return to game action this weekend in Detroit, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been out of action for more than a week due to an injury, which he revealed to be biceps soreness. He made it through a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and said it went well, but Harvey will be worth monitoring down the stretch after all the missed time over the years. He projects as a possible closer in 2020 if his health finally cooperates.

Mengden was credited with his first save in a win over the Astros on Tuesday, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks over three innings while recording a strikeout.

Mengden managed the unlikely feat of nabbing a save in a game the Athletics won by 14 runs, as the fact he pitched three innings without blowing his team's sizable advantage technically qualified him for such. The veteran right-hander did surrender a two-run home run to Martin Maldonado in the ninth inning to blemish his performance to an extent, but Mengden was reasonably effective in his first appearance since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Pagan (4-2) was credited with the win in an extra-innings victory over the Rangers on Tuesday, firing a perfect 10th inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Pagan worked up to 20 pitches during the frame, and his ability to preserve the 3-3 tie he inherited paid off in the form of a victory when the Rays were able pull ahead in the 11th inning. Pagan now has six consecutive scoreless appearances and has allowed just one hit and one walk during those outings, recording six saves along with Tuesday's win in the process.

Thornton will serve as the Blue Jays' primary pitcher behind opener Wilmer Font in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

All of Thornton's previous 28 appearances have come as a traditional starter, but with the 25-year-old already up to 134.1 innings -- just 1.1 innings shy of his previous career high for any professional season -- in 2019, the Blue Jays may be inclined to manage his workload carefully the rest of the way. Deploying him as a primary pitcher is one means to achieve that, and the arrangement should help Thornton deliver more useful ratios while his pitch count is being monitored. Expect Font to work the first inning or two before Thornton enters Wednesday's contest.

Junis (9-13) took the loss Tuesday, giving up five runs on six hits and three walks over five innings while striking out seven as the Royals fell 7-3 to the White Sox.

The right-hander bounced back and delivered three clean innings after serving up a grand slam to Eloy Jimenez in the first inning and a solo shot to Adam Engel in the second, but the Kansas City offense couldn't climb out of the hole. Junis has been tagged for at least four runs in each of his last four starts, and he'll carry a 5.06 ERA and 162:56 K:BB through 172.2 innings into his next outing Sunday, at home against the Astros.

Fairbanks gave up two hits in a scoreless 11th inning Tuesday to record his first career save in a 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Emilio Pagan and Nick Anderson had both tossed perfect frames to help get the game to the 11th, opening the door for Fairbanks to get his shot at closing things out. The rookie right-hander hasn't given up a run in four September appearances, posting a 5:1 K:BB through 4.1 innings -- he likely won't see another save chance, but Fairbanks could work himself into more high-leverage usage down the stretch if he stays locked in.