MLB Player News

Keuchel isn't scheduled to start either of the Twins' final two games with the Rangers this weekend but could be available out of the bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "There are a few different scenarios, but not really any one scenario that I'm going to sit here and announce because, frankly, I am not 100 percent sure," manager Rocco Baldelli said of Keuchel's role moving forward.

The Twins will welcome Joe Ryan (groin) back from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's game, bringing the Minnesota rotation back to full strength. After getting called up from Triple-A St. Paul earlier this month, Keuchel was expected to have only a short-term stay with the club, but he made a case for the Twins keeping him around as part of a six-man rotation. Though Keuchel failed to escape the second inning in his second start with the Twins on Aug. 11 in Philadelphia, he rebounded nicely his last time out this past Sunday versus the Pirates, carrying a perfect game through 6.1 innings while striking out three. Keuchel said that he's been throwing shorter bullpen sessions to stay prepared for a potential move to a relief role, but if he ends up going unused behind Ryan on Saturday or Bailey Ober on Sunday, it could be an indication the Twins plan to have him make a start during next week's series with the Guardians.

Hancock, who isn't expected to pitch again this season due to a shoulder injury, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus shoulder strain with no tear or structural damage, the team's official site reports.

Hancock received a PRP injection in his shoulder Tuesday in an effort to speed up the healing process. The promising right-hander's recovery period is estimated to be 4-to-6 weeks from Aug. 20, the date he suffered the injury. At minimum, Hancock should be able to regain full health fairly early in the offseason, teeing up what will be a key spring training for him in 2024 as he gears up to potentially become a permanent fixture in the big-league rotation.

Miller (elbow), who was able to hit triple digits on the radar gun in his most recent rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Las Vegas, is expected to be activated if his next outing in the minors goes well, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is set for another start with Las Vegas early in the upcoming week, his fourth down on the farm. Assuming all goes off without a hitch, manager Mark Kotsay notes "there could be a plan" for Miller to return from the 60-day injured list when the roster expands to 28 men Sept. 1. Kotsay added that he expected Miller to be utilized with a "pitch restriction or inning limit" in such a scenario, with the idea being to have the highly promising prospect head into the offseason at full health. He worked three innings in his latest rehab start and probably won't be pushed past four or five innings in his upcoming outing with Las Vegas.

Cease (5-7) took the loss Friday as the White Sox were trounced 12-4 by the A's, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

After a scoreless first inning, Oakland jumped on Cease for five runs in the second, and Chicago never recovered. The right-hander tossed only 52 of 96 pitches for strikes as he continues to fall apart in August -- Cease has been tagged for at least five earned runs in three of five starts this month, stumbling to an 8.61 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB through 23 innings. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, likely to come next week in Baltimore.

Sandoval (7-10) picked up the win in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw generated 34 called or swinging strikes among his 107 pitches, and the only blemish on Sandoval's final line came on a Francisco Lindor solo shot in the third inning. Sandoval has given up two earned runs or fewer in six of seven starts since the All-Star break, posting a 2.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 39:23 K:BB through 37.1 innings over that stretch. He lines up to face a choice opponent in his next outing, likely next weekend in Oakland.

Bassitt (12-7) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

The veteran righty gave up a lot of hard contact -- five of the seven hits off Bassitt went for extra bases, including homers by Bo Naylor and Ramon Laureano. It's the first time Bassitt's served up multiple homers in an outing since June 13, but he's been taken deep at least once in six straight starts, posting a 4.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB through 35.2 innings over that stretch. He'll try to keep the ball in the park in his next trip to the mound, which is likely to come at home next week against the Nationals.

Bibee (10-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings in a 5-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

Solo homers by George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero accounted for the only damage off Bibee, who produced his fifth quality start in his last seven outings. The rookie right-hander has a 2.47 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB through 43.2 innings over that stretch with a 5-1 record, and he'll look to keep his second-half surge going when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come next week in Minnesota.

Singer (8-10) took the loss Friday versus the Mariners, allowing four runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over four innings.

Singer's first pitch was taken deep to right field by J.P. Crawford, and the right-hander labored through the first inning. He had a couple of scoreless frames before giving up a go-ahead two-run single to Eugenio Suarez in the fourth, which put the Mariners ahead for good. Singer has given up 10 runs (eight earned) over 7.2 innings across his last two starts, a departure from his relatively solid pitching (2.85 ERA, 39:6 K:BB) over 41 innings coming out of the All-Star break. For the year, he's at a 5.15 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 125:44 K:BB through 143.1 innings across 26 starts. Singer is tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Pirates next week.

Miller allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over four innings Friday, taking a no-decision versus the Royals.

Miller was fairly sharp, throwing 62 of 83 pitches for strikes, but the Royals were able to make some solid contact against him. This was the shortest of his eight starts since the All-Star break, and just the third time in that span he's given up three or more runs. The rookie right-hander is now at a 3.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 95:21 K:BB through 101.2 innings over 19 starts. He's projected to make his next appearance at home in another favorable matchup against the Athletics.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against Colorado. He struck out five.

This marked Irvin's third start since the All-Star break and it was his least effective effort. After allowing just one run in 10 innings during his previous two starts, his night was capped by a two-run fifth-inning home run by Ezequiel Tovar that gave the Rockies a 4-2 lead and left Irvin on the hook for the loss. The Orioles rallied late to allow Irvin to escape with a no-decision, however. The lefty holds a 4.78 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 64 innings, which he'll take with him into his next start, penciled in to take place next week against the White Sox.