MLB Player News

Norris (3-11) allowed one run on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts across three innings while taking a loss against the Indians on Thursday.

The 26-year-old was expected to pitch about three frames, as the Tigers have rolled back his workload. He responded well to that plan Thursday, but the Tigers offense mustered nothing against Mike Clevinger and the Indians pitching staff, so he still took the loss. Norris has allowed one run over his last nine innings, but that's over three starts; as long as he's limited to three frames, his fantasy value is obviously capped. Norris owns a 4.66 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 129.1 innings this season. His turn will come up again Tuesday at the Royals.

Leclerc (2-4) was charged with the loss against the Mariners on Thursday after surrendering two runs on two hits and a pair of walks with one strikeout over one inning.

With the game tied 3-3, Leclerc came into the ninth inning and allowed his first two batters to reach. He then gave up the go-ahead run in the form of a sacrifice fly to Austin Nola. Unfortunately, it didn't end there, as Omar Narvaez tacked on another run with an RBI single. The loss comes as quite the disappointment for the once top-tier reliever, who has just nine saves this year along with a 4.37 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Hendriks allowed one earned run on three hits but struck out five across 1.2 innings to earn the save Thursday against the Royals.

Hendricks entered the game in the eighth inning with a two-run lead and a runner on third. He surrendered an infield single to the first batter he faced, but struck out the next two hitters to avoid more damage. In the ninth inning, he allowed two more hits to cut the lead to one but whiffed hitters to account for all three of his outs. Hendriks now has 17 saves on the season and this performance ended a stretch of 10 consecutive scoreless appearances. His overall line looks stellar, as he's maintained a 1.53 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 100 strikeouts across 70.2 innings.

Pagan earned the save against Houston on Thursday, pitching 2.1 innings and giving up one run on two hits while striking out three.

Pagan entered with two outs and two Astros on base in the seventh inning with the Rays clinging to a one-run lead. He retired Jose Altuve to end the threat, then gave up a single run over the next two innings to pick up his 15th save. It was the seventh time Pagan has worked two or more innings this season, though Thursday was the first such appearance that resulted in a successful save. He may be looked to for more extended outings in September as long as Tampa Bay remains in the thick of the race for a wild-card spot.

Richards did not factor into the decision against Houston on Thursday, hurling 2.1 innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out four.

Richards, working as a primary pitcher for the first time in three appearances with the Rays, entered with two Astros on base in the second inning and served up an RBI double to allow an inherited run to score. He then gave up a homer to George Springer leading off the third and got himself into trouble with a pair of walks and a throwing error in the fourth before exiting the game. Although Richards has allowed only three earned runs while striking out 15 hitters in 11.2 innings since joining Tampa Bay, the team appears determined to keep his pitch count low as he has averaged a mere 72.3 pitches in his three outings. His next appearance is scheduled for Tuesday against Baltimore, though it remains to be seen whether he'll work behind an opener or as a traditional starter.

Pruitt will start Friday's game against the Indians, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Pruitt followed an opener his last time through the rotation, but even though he surrendered six runs over 5.2 frames as the primary pitcher, the Rays will allow him to start this time. He owns a 5.57 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 27:9 K:BB over 32.1 innings this season in the big leagues.

Lopez (illness) is listed as the White Sox's probable starter for Saturday's game against the Braves.

Despite battling flu-like symptoms in his last outing Aug. 25 against the Rangers, Lopez navigated five no-hit frames before the illness forced him to bow out of the contest. After a few days of treatment, Lopez is apparently feeling healthy again and isn't expected to face any restrictions when he returns to the mound this weekend. The right-hander still sports an ERA over 5.00 for the season, but he's largely been dependable since the All-Star break, turning in a 2.82 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 52:18 K:BB in 54.1 innings across his nine second-half starts.

Manager Bob Melvin confirmed that Manaea (shoulder) won't require any further rehab starts in the minors and is on track to rejoin the big club in September, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

After a long recovery from left shoulder surgery, Manaea concluded his eight-start rehab assignment in impressive fashion Aug. 23, striking out 12 over seven shutout innings for Triple-A Las Vegas. Manaea rejoined the Athletics in Kansas City on Thursday and tossed a bullpen session, which should keep him sharp as he prepares for a likely appointment into the Oakland rotation next week. Melvin has yet to announce whether the Athletics would implement a six-man rotation in September or have Manaea replace one of their five starters. If Oakland decides to go the latter route, Brett Anderson or Homer Bailey would probably be most at risk of moving to the bullpen.

Scott was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Scott made one appearance during his most recent stint with the Orioles, allowing two hits in an otherwise clean inning. The right-hander figures to return sometime in September when rosters expand. A corresponding roster move will be announced prior to Friday's series opener against the Royals.

Perez (forearm) shifted his rehab assignment to High-A Fayetteville earlier this week, tossing two scoreless innings in his appearance Monday.

After three outings with the Astros' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate, Perez received the green light to move his rehab to the Carolina League. The lefty breezed through Monday's outing without many complications, ceding a pair of base hits and striking out one in the 25-pitch appearance. He could be cleared to rejoin Triple-A Round Rock before the affiliate begins its Pacific Coast League postseason run.