MLB Player News

Paddack (elbow) is facing live hitters at the team's Fort Myers, Fla. complex this week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

He still doesn't have clearance to appear in a game, however. The Twins haven't ruled him out for returning this season, but the odds seem long given that he'll need several weeks of a rehab assignment. At least if he can appear in some minor-league or instructional league games, he'll get a head start on returning next season. The right-hander underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career in May 2022.

Civale (6-3) earned the win Wednesday, allowing five hits and a walk over six scoreless innings against the Giants. He struck out five.

It was the first win for Civale since he was traded from Cleveland at the deadline. He's now 1-1 through his first three starts with Tampa while allowing five runs over 15.1 innings. Overall, Civale's ERA is down to 2.44 with a 1.12 WHIP and 69:24 K:BB across 16 starts (92.1 innings) between the Rays and Guardians. He's currently lined up for a favorable home matchup with the Rockies in his next outing.

Rodon (hamstring) threw a five-inning simulated game Wednesday in Tampa, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

As long as he responds well to the workout with no renewed discomfort, Rodon should be able to slot back into the Yankees' starting rotation next Tuesday against the Nationals. He's been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 7 with a left hamstring strain after also missing the first three months of the 2023 campaign because of forearm and back problems.

Brown is slated to start Sunday's game against the Mariners in Houston, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.

Though reports from Sunday indicated that Brown would have his turn in the rotation skipped this week, he'll end up starting the series finale with the Mariners while Jose Urquidy instead gets pushed to the back of the Astros' pitching schedule. Brown could have a chance at picking up two wins this week, as he improved to 9-8 in Tuesday's 6-5 victory over the Marlins after tossing two innings out of the bullpen behind starter Cristian Javier in what was the 24-year-old's first relief appearance of 2023.

Kansas City transferred Keller (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The transaction doesn't affect the recovery timeline for Keller, who has been sidelined since mid-May because of right shoulder impingement syndrome. He recently begin a minor-league rehab stint in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and could return to the Royals sometime in September.

Oakland optioned Watkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Watkins was lit up for five earned runs over 4.1 innings in a spot start Tuesday versus the Cardinals as the Athletics fell 6-2. Kyle Muller has been called up in a corresponding roster move and could step into the rotation next week.

Oakland recalled Miller from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Muller will presumably be available in long relief Wednesday against the Cardinals as he returns to the Athletics' major-league roster, though the team will have an opening in the rotation for him beginning next week. The 25-year-old left-hander has posted a rough 7.79 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 37:27 K:BB over 52 innings (11 starts) this season in the big leagues.

Houck (face) struck out four over four scoreless innings and allowed one hit and no walks in his third rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Houck has been razor sharp over his most recent two outings for Worcester, covering seven scoreless frames while striking out seven and permitting just three baserunners. He was lifted after 59 pitches (36 strikes) Wednesday, and though he isn't yet stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, the Red Sox are likely to bring Houck back from the 15-day injured list and have him make his next appearance in the big leagues. Houck tentatively lines up for a return Monday in Houston, and he could be part of a six-man rotation if the Red Sox elect to keep Nick Pivetta in a starting role.

Watkins (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out four.

The 30-year-old righty put Oakland in an early hole during his season debut, giving up a two-run homer to Nolan Arenado and a solo shot to Jordan Walker in a four-run first inning. Watkins started 30 games for Baltimore over the previous two seasons, posting a record of 7-13 with a 5.85 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 160 innings during that span. If he sticks in the rotation, Watkins tentatively lines up to face the Royals at home early next week.

Toussaint allowed three earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four across four innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Toussaint was plagued by both home runs -- he surrendered a pair -- and walks en route to his shortest start since July 2. In four starts since becoming a regular in the rotation, he's maintained a 5.12 ERA to go along with a 26:15 K:BB. Toussaint has a 14.3 percent career walk rate across 220.2 frames, so his chances to significantly improve his control in the final several weeks of the current campaign appear slim.