MLB Player News

Lorenzen (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Lorenzen has been sidelined by a strained right shoulder since early July, but he's poised to return this week after making three rehab starts in the minors. The 30-year-old has a 4.94 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 55:30 K:BB across 71 frames in 13 starts this year.

Kopech (knee) threw a bullpen session Sunday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech landed on the injured list with a left knee strain Aug. 23 and threw his first bullpen session Friday, and he returned to the mound for another session Sunday. He's eligible to return from the IL for Wednesday's matchup with the Mariners, and the White Sox's decision to demote fill-in starter Davis Martin to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday would seem to hint that Chicago expects Kopech to be ready to go by the middle of the week.

McClanahan (shoulder) played catch from 75 feet Sunday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The 25-year-old landed on the injured list with a left shoulder impingement Wednesday and received a cortisone injection, so it's an encouraging sign he's already started a throwing program. Manager Kevin Cash reiterated Sunday that he expects McClanahan to "be back soon," so a return from the IL when first eligible Sept. 15 still appears possible.

The White Sox optioned Martin to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Martin's demotion likely signals that the White Sox anticipate Michael Kopech (knee) will be ready to return from the 15-day injured list Wednesday when first eligible to reclaim his spot in the rotation. While making the last two turns through the rotation as a replacement for Kopech -- once as a starter and once as a bulk reliever -- Martin went 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and four strikeouts in eight innings.

The Red Sox transferred Houck (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman Triston Casas, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday in a corresponding move. Houck is scheduled to undergo surgery next week to address a disc issue in his back and will miss the rest of the season.

Wells (oblique) threw a bullpen session at Camden Yards on Sunday and is expected to make at least one more minor-league rehab appearance before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells returned to Baltimore after he made a rehab start at High-A Aberdeen on Friday, when he struck out three over 2.1 innings while allowing one run on one hit and no walks. The right-hander checked out fine physically following the 31-pitch outing, but he'll still need at least one more tune-up outing before being activated. Kubatko notes that Wells is likely to rejoin the Orioles as a multi-inning reliever, given that Baltimore's current five starters are performing well in addition to the fact that a bullpen role would require a shorter buildup program for the 28-year-old. Wells is used to working out of the bullpen, having made all 44 of his appearances with Baltimore in 2021 as a reliever.

The Twins placed Mahle on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation.

When Mahle was diagnosed with the same injury in August, he was on the shelf for 16 days before he returned to the mound for Saturday's game against the White Sox. Mahle lasted just two innings in his return, however, surrendering four earned runs on five hits to drop to 6-8 in the Twins' 13-0 loss. The fact that he suffered a setback with the injury in his first start back from the IL suggests that Mahle could be inactive for a longer period this time around. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can likely feel comfortable moving on from Mahle, who won't be in line for more than two or three starts the rest of the way even if he avoids a prolonged absence.

Keuchel was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday.

Keuchel signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers in late July and was added to the big-league rotation a month later, and he surrendered 14 earned runs over 10 innings between his two starts. It's the same story with a different team for the veteran left-hander, who has also been DFA'd by the White Sox and Diamondbacks this season. Overall Keuchel has a 9.20 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB across 14 starts this year, and he is unlikely to return to a big-league mound during the final month of the campaign.

Ray (12-8) earned the win during Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing six hits while recording three strikeouts across six shutout innings.

Ray permitted two hits in each of the first, third and fifth innings but kept Cleveland off the board with the help of a pickoff and double play. The 30-year-old's impressive August carried into September as he's now surrendered just six runs in 39 innings across his last six starts -- good for a 1.38 ERA. Saturday's three strikeouts mark his lowest total during the stretch, though he still induced a healthy 10 swinging strikes on 87 pitches. Ray carries a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come against at home against Atlanta next weekend.

Crawford was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to Sept. 1, with a right shoulder impingement.

The 26-year-old had already been scratched from Sunday's scheduled start against the Rangers due to the injury, and he'll end up missing some additional time. Crawford's shoulder injury doesn't seem to be overly severe, as manager Alex Cora said he's hopeful that the right-hander will require a minimum-length stay on the IL, per Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican. Josh Winckowski was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move and will start Sunday in Crawford's stead.