MLB Player News

Oller (2-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Oller cruised through six innings on just 77 pitches, as Texas could not get much going against him. The quality start is Oller's first on the season and is a welcome sight after he allowed a combined 16 runs over his previous 25.1 innings. He'll carry a 6.63 ERA into his next start, which figures to be next week against the Marlins.

Chafin (0-2) allowed three runs on two hits while retiring just two batters to take the loss Wednesday against the Guardians. He struck out three.

Chafin had a weird outing, as he struck out the first three batters he faced in the eighth inning. However, the final strikeout got away from catcher Eric Haase, going down as a wild pitch and allowing Luke Maile to reach first base. Chafin then allowed a single and a double before getting the hook. Alex Lange came on and allowed both inherited runners to score, which made Chafin's line look pretty rough for a guy who struck out the side. The lefty still has a solid 3.18 ERA and has been a good relief option for the Tigers this season.

Norris allowed just one run on four hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Guardians. He walked two and struck out four.

Norris arguably had his best outing of the year, going a season-high five innings and putting the Tigers in a position to win. The lefty left the game with his team up 3-1, but the bullpen imploded to allow seven runs in three innings, and Cleveland prevailed 8-4. Norris still has a high 5.45 ERA, though he's allowed just one run across 9.2 innings in his last two appearances. With Eduardo Rodriguez (personal) on track to return from the restricted list Sunday, Norris could get bumped from the rotation, but he might stick in a long-relief role.

Rodriguez (elbow) gave up an earned run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief Wednesday in his rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa.

Rodriguez has been sidelined nearly all season with a right elbow strain, which he developed in mid-April during his second appearance of the 2022 campaign with Iowa. In a procedural move, the Cubs called Rodriguez up June 1 and placed him on the 60-day injured list the same day, so he'll need to be added back to the 40-man roster once his 30-day rehab window ends. Rodriguez started the rehab assignment Aug. 9 and made two appearances in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League before he was transferred to Iowa, so he could remain on the IL until the second week of September.

Betances announced his retirement from professional baseball Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Betances was released from his minor-league contract with the Dodgers earlier Wednesday, and he won't pursue any additional opportunities. The veteran right-hander has appeared in only 17 big-league games since 2018, as his career has been derailed by injuries over the past few years. Betances was one of the best relievers in baseball during his time with the Yankees, and he'll finish his career a 2.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 633 strikeouts across 394.1 innings.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Peters (back) should be ready to start a throwing program soon, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Peters has already resumed plyometric work since landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 4 with left elbow inflammation, and he looks on the cusp of moving on to the next phase of his recovery program. The Pirates view Peters as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, so once he starts throwing again, he could need around two weeks to complete his progression before he's deemed ready to return from the IL.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bednar (back) should be ready to begin a throwing program later this week or early next week, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Bednar was recently cleared to begin plyometric work, and if his back continues to respond well over the next couple of days, he should be ready to start playing catch. He'll then gradually ramp up the intensity and distance of his throwing before eventually graduating to bullpen sessions and then live batting practice. As a reliever, Bednar won't require an extensive buildup program, but Pittsburgh's closer is still probably at least a week away from making his return from the 15-day injured list.

Graterol (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City and could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the Dodgers' three-game series against the Marlins this weekend, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol began the rehab assignment with Oklahoma City last week, and pitching on back-to-back days may be the final hurdle before he rejoins the big-league roster. The 24-year-old has three saves and nine holds with a 3.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB across 40.1 innings this season, and he could factor into the ninth-inning mix down the stretch if closer Craig Kimbrel continues to struggle.

White will start Saturday against the Yankees, replacing Yusei Kikuchi in the Blue Jays' rotation moving forward, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

White appeared headed for the bullpen with Ross Stripling (hip) returning from the injured list this week, but he'll instead stick in the rotation with Kikuchi demoted to a relief role. White has given up four earned runs with a 5:4 K:BB over 9.1 frames in two starts since being acquired by Toronto, and he has a 3.72 ERA and 1.27 WHIP for the season.

Triple-A Sugar Land activated Dubin (forearm) from its 7-day injured list Monday.

Dubin has yet to appear for Sugar Land since being activated, but he's ostensibly healthy again after he was on the shelf since late June with a right forearm strain. Prior to being reinstated, Dubin struck out two over a pair of scoreless innings during his two-start rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.