MLB Player News

Hughes allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Orioles.

Rowan Wick pitched on consecutive days entering Thursday's game and was likely unavailable, which gave Hughes an opportunity in the ninth inning. Though the tying reached scoring position -- Zach McKinstry committed an error in addition to the hit surrendered -- Hughes got Cedric Mullins to line into a game-ending double play to tally his first career save. Wick appears to have a clear grip on the closer role for the Cubs, but Hughes has been excellent across 38.2 innings this season by maintaining a 3.03 ERA and 49:13 K:BB.

Castillo (0-1) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Castillo was sent to the minors after the Royals acquired him in a trade with Toronto on Aug. 2, but he made only two starts before Kansas City called him up. Though he took the loss Thursday, the right-hander pitched well, throwing 48 of 69 pitches for strikes and keeping the Rays off the scoreboard after Yandy Diaz tagged him for a leadoff homer in the first inning. Given his success in the outing, Castillo will likely get more turns in the rotation for a Kansas City team that is already looking ahead to next season.

Patino (1-1) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Patino was called up from the minors earlier in the day and impressed in his first big-league start in nearly a month. The right-hander fanned only four batters but racked up 16 swinging strikes among his 86 pitches. He didn't surrender any extra-base hits and allowed only one runner to reach second base. The Rays are in the midst of a busy schedule, so Patino could take another turn in the rotation after his strong outing Thursday.

Winckowski (5-6) took the loss Thursday in Pittsburgh, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two in five innings.

Winckowski took Nathan Eovaldi's (neck/shoulder) spot in the rotation Thursday and was greeted with a two-run blast by Bryan Reynolds in the first. Pittsburgh tacked on two more runs in the third and Reynolds tagged Winckowski with another two-run shot in the fifth. In five starts since the All-Star break, the 24-year-old has a 6.46 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, six homers allowed and a 10:7 K:BB in 23.2 innings. He's punched out two or fewer batters in five of his last seven starts.

Johnson (elbow) is traveling to Peoria on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment with the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson has been on the injured list since April 22 due to right elbow tendinitis, but his rehab assignment represents a significant step forward in his recovery. The right-hander initially hoped to return in mid-to-late August, his return has likely been pushed to sometime in September since he'll presumably require a relatively lengthy rehab assignment. Once he's ultimately healthy, Johnson should have a chance to carve out setup duties for the big-league club down the stretch.

Strahm (wrist) expects to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against the Orioles, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Strahm has been sidelined for just over a month due to a bruised left wrist, but he made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday and struck out one in a scoreless inning. The southpaw should be in the mix for setup duties once he's officially activated.

Beede is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Reds at PNC Park, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Beede appeared on track to lose his spot in the rotation when Roansy Contreras was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Wednesday against the Red Sox, but the Pirates will at least temporarily keep a six-man rotation in place. Keeping Beede on hand as a sixth starter will allow the Pirates to build in more rest between starts for Contreras, and at least in the short term, it allows Mitch Keller to get more recovery time after he exited his previous start Tuesday with right shoulder fatigue. Since he had been pitching out of the bullpen before entering the rotation Aug. 8, Beede isn't yet built up to a traditional starter's workload and didn't reach the fifth inning in either of his prior two turns through the rotation.

Stiever (lat) is throwing bullpen sessions at the White Sox's spring training facility in Arizona, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since undergoing lat surgery in August of last year, and he could be available down the stretch for the White Sox. Stiever may soon advance to throwing live batting practice, and he could start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Mejia (suspension) was reinstated from his rehab assignment and optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Mejia had been sidelined since mid-May for violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, but he was able to begin a rehab assignment in early August. The right-hander struck out four in 3.2 perfect innings over four rehab appearances but will remain in the minors now that his suspension has been served. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, as a result of the suspension, Mejia won't be eligible to pitch in the postseason if Milwaukee should qualify.

Yacabonis was designated for assignment by the Rays on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Yacabonis was claimed off waivers by the Rays in early August after being cast off the Marlins' 40-man roster, but he gave up four runs in 3.2 innings over four appearances with Tampa Bay. He'll now lose his spot on the Rays' 40-man roster, and it's not yet clear whether he'll find another landing spot via waivers.