MLB Player News

Watkins allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one in three relief innings during Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Rays.

Zachary Silver of MLB.com reported earlier Saturday that Watkins would be available as a reliever, and that plan came to fruition after DL Hall lasted just 3.2 innings in his major-league debut. With Hall getting optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk after the contest, Watkins should be able to resume his regular starting role on normal rest next week -- Baltimore doesn't have an off day, so he's lined up to start a makeup game versus the Cubs on Thursday barring any changes to the Orioles' rotation. Watkins has a 4.23 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB through 72.1 innings across 16 starts.

Bundy allowed two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out one across five scoreless inning in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Bundy again saw a limited pitch count, throwing 46 of 65 pitches for strikes. It's the second start in a row he's been limited to 65 pitches, though he was sharp in his first start against the Angels since leaving the team as a free agent last December. The right-hander has exceeded five innings just once in his last eight outings -- that limited workload makes it tough for him to pick up many wins. He has a 4.76 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 75:21 K:BB through 98.1 innings across 20 starts this season. Bundy is projected for a home start versus the Rangers next week.

McKenzie (8-9) allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three across 6.2 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Blue Jays.

McKenzie served up a home run to lead off both the fifth and seventh innings, which ultimately led to his ninth loss of the season. The outing marked the first time that McKenzie allowed multiple homers in seven starts entering Saturday's start, during which time he maintained a 1.70 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB across 47.2 frames. For the season, McKenzie has a 3.14 ERA with a 124:35 K:BB in 134.2 innings.

Detmers allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Saturday.

Detmers has recorded at least six strikeouts in eight straight starts, but he wasn't very efficient Saturday. The southpaw needed 96 pitches (62 strikes) to complete five frames, with Carlos Correa's solo home run and sacrifice fly accounting for the damage on his line. Detmers hasn't allowed more than two runs in one outing since the start of July. He owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 91:34 K:BB through 94 innings across 18 starts overall. The 23-year-old is projected for a favorable road start versus the Tigers next weekend.

Wacha (shoulder) will be activated and start Sunday's game against the Yankees, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Wacha has been sidelined since June 28, but he may not be on a strict pitch count after working up to 79 pitches in his most recent rehab outing. For the season, Wacha has maintained a 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 50:22 K:BB across 70.1 frames.

Ober (groin) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday and is expected to throw another one Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

He reported no issues after the session. Ober has been out since early June with an aponeurotic plate injury, which he described as a tendon pulling on his pelvic bone. The Twins have said Ober is aiming for a return in September.

Maeda (elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday and will throw another bullpen Monday, MLB.com reports.

It's possible Maeda could return in September to pitch out of the bullpen, but he'll need to show steady progress the next few bullpen sessions before going out on a rehab assignment. Maeda is in the penultimate season of a eight-year, $25 million contract and will likely want to finish the 2022 campaign on the field so that he can enter spring training healthy and ready to compete for a spot in the Minnesota rotation.

Garcia will be called up from Triple-A to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Garcia was sent down by the Tigers in early August but will serve as a spot starter during Monday's nightcap. Over two major-league starts this year, he's posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 7.2 innings.

Sale (wrist) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

The transaction has no bearing on Sale's return timeline, as he's already been ruled out for the year after breaking his wrist in a bicycle accident. The move clears space on the 40-man roster for Boston to select Jeurys Familia's contract.

McCullers (forearm) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

McCullers suffered a setback in his recovery from a flexor tendon strain during the offseason but will make his 2022 debut as the starter during Saturday's game against the Athletics. The right-hander made four starts during his recent rehab assignment and tossed 86 pitches over five innings during his most recent outing, so he's unlikely to face any significant restrictions Saturday.