MLB Player News

Romano (elbow) has begun throwing on flat ground from 60 feet, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano had arthroscopic right elbow surgery two months ago and will now begin ramping things back up with the hope of returning before the end of the season. If the reliever is able to make it back, it probably won't happen until late September, and it's unlikely he'd be thrown back into the closer role at that point.

Hill earned a hold against Texas on Tuesday by retiring both batters he faced, striking out one.

Hill hasn't worked in many high-leverage situations this season, but he was brought in Tuesday with New York hanging onto a two-run lead and the bases loaded with one out in the eighth frame. The lefty got the job done, allowing a sacrifice fly before striking out Jonah Heim to keep the Yankees in the lead. It was just the second hold of the season for Hill and his first since coming over to New York on June 20. He's been effective with the Yankees, posting a 2.34 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB while picking up three wins over 27 appearances covering 34.2 innings.

The Twins optioned Castillo to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Just three days after he was added to the Twins' 40-man roster and 28-man active roster, Castillo will head back to the minors to open up a spot for right-hander Louie Varland, who was recalled ahead of an expected bulk-relief appearance Wednesday versus the Rays. During his brief time with the Twins, Castillo made one appearance and struck out a batter in a scoreless inning.

Thornton (3-3) took the loss against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Thornton was tasked with preserving a 2-2 tie when he entered in the ninth, and after retiring the dangerous Brent Rooker looking, he never recorded another out. Seth Brown would subsequently walk it off for the Athletics with a single that plated JJ Bleday, snapping an eight-appearance scoreless streak for Thornton and saddling him with his first loss since July 22. The veteran right-hander has been a mostly effective option for Seattle, but his presence in a high-leverage spot Tuesday may have been due to the fact closer Andres Munoz is battling elbow soreness.

Alexander is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even with Zack Littell returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener versus Minnesota, the Rays will at least temporarily expand the rotation to six men to include Alexander. Since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 17, Alexander has made three appearances, tossing 14.1 innings and striking out 10 while allowing 11 earned runs on 15 hits and five walks.

The Phillies selected Nelson's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Nelson was outrighted off the 40-man roster last month but earned his way back on by allowing just one run over his last 9.1 innings at Lehigh Valley. He will give the Phillies a fresh relief arm after the bullpen had to cover 8.1 innings in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays.

The Phillies designated Rucker for assignment Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Rucker has missed much of 2024 due to injury, posting a 6.58 ERA but also a 36:11 K:BB over 26 innings in the minors. The 30-year-old will cede his 40-man roster spot to Nick Nelson, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Triple-A El Paso placed Brito on its 7-day injured list Aug. 23 with an unspecified injury.

The Padres optioned Brito to Triple-A on Aug. 11, with the right-hander making one appearance for El Paso before going down with an injury. The severity of the injury isn't known, making it unclear whether Brito has a chance to pitch again before the 2024 season concludes.

Bednar struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Cubs.

Bednar entered the game with a 5-0 lead and turned in his second consecutive scoreless appearance since losing the closer job for the Pirates. It's unclear whether the team will return him to the role if he continues to show improved form in low-leverage situations.

Martinez picked up the save in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Giants, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings.

Martinez entered with two outs in the eighth and the Giants up 7-5 and gave up an RBI single before retiring Luis Matos to get out of the inning. The Diamondbacks went on to score an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, and it proved to be a big one, as Martinez allowed two more hits and a run in the ninth but ultimately shut the door. Martinez is now a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances since taking over the closer role, but he has allowed six runs (four earned) over his last nine appearances. For the year, he holds a 2.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78:31 K:BB in 62 innings.