MLB Player News

Kikuchi was removed from Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Yankees with a left upper trap muscle cramp, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Kikuchi (10-6) was able to pick up the win after striking out seven through five innings of one-run ball before the cramp forced him out of the game. The southpaw's status for his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday in Tampa Bay -- remains up in the air, and he should be considered day-to-day until more details are provided.

The Tigers placed Faedo on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right finger blister.

Faedo's move to the injured list is retroactive to Sunday, which leaves just enough room for him to return for the final game of the season Oct. 1. In the meantime, Brendan White will come up from Triple-A Toledo to fill Faedo's roster spot.

Flaherty was transferred to the Orioles' bullpen Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty has put up a 7.11 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 31.2 innings since joining the Orioles, and he'll now lose his spot in Baltimore's rotation as a result. Manager Brandon Hyde said there's a chance Flaherty returns to the rotation down the line, but the 27-year-old righty will likely need to show major improvement in order for that to happen.

The Royals selected Veneziano's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

The left-hander has a 4.22 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 79:43 K:BB across 89.2 innings (18 appearances) for Omaha this season, and he'll receive a look with the major-league club down the stretch. Veneziano could help fill the rotation spot of Brady Singer, who landed on the injured list Tuesday with a back strain.

Keller was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to symptoms associated with thoracic outlet syndrome.

Keller dealt with symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome earlier this season while on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, and those symptoms apparently resurfaced since being reinstated from the injured list Sept. 9. The right-hander will finish 2023 having pitched in just 11 games, and he had a 4.76 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 31:45 K:BB over 45.1 innings. He's scheduled to hit free agency during the offseason, but the injury will cloud his outlook for 2024.

Singer was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left lower lumbar strain.

The right-hander presumably picked up the injury during Monday's start against Cleveland, during which he gave up four runs over six innings. Singer had a strong six-week stretch from late June to mid-August with a 3.05 ERA across 59 innings, but he moves to the injured list having surrendered 24 earned runs in his past five starts. The 27-year-old won't be eligible to return until after the end of the regular season, and he closes the campaign with a 5.52 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 133:49 K:BB in 159.2 frames. Singer is entering his second year of arbitration eligibility and has more than four months to get healthy for spring training.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay confirmed that Estes will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Oakland will likely wait until a few hours before Wednesday's 3:37 p.m. ET opening pitch to make Estes' call-up official, but the 22-year-old right-hander will get the chance to make his MLB debut as the season winds down. Acquired last March as part of a prospect haul in the deal that sent All-Star first baseman Matt Olson to Atlanta, Estes has been one of the Athletics' better upper-level starting pitchers in the minors this season. Between stops at Double-A Midland and Las Vegas, Estes has struck out 131 and walked 43 over 137 innings while pitching to a 3.74 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.

McKenzie (elbow) is set to make the second start of his rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Columbus, MLB.com reports.

After covering three innings and tossing 44 pitches in his first rehab outing last Wednesday with Double-A Akron, McKenzie will shift his rehab assignment to the Guardians' top affiliate this week for what will likely be his final start in the minors before he returns from the 60-day injured list. The Guardians are targeting McKenzie for around 65 pitches Tuesday, and if all goes well, he could slot back into the big-league rotation as soon as this Sunday versus the Orioles. McKenzie has been on the shelf since mid-June with a right UCL sprain.

Verlander did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out five.

Verlander has now gone six or more innings in each of his last four starts, though he's pitched to a 5.19 ERA in that span. Overall, the veteran right-hander is 11-8 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 131:41 K:BB through 25 starts (149.1 innings) this season between the Astros and the Mets. Verlander's currently lined up for a favorable home matchup with the Royals in his next outing.

Lynch (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session with Triple-A Omaha this week and is expected to make at least one rehab appearance there soon, MLB.com reports.

It does not sound like Lynch will make it back to the Royals' active roster this season, but making some appearances before the season comes to a close could give the lefty some peace of mind heading into the winter. Lynch has been limited to just nine starts for Kansas City along with five rehab starts in 2023 due to shoulder issues.