MLB Player News

Varland was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Varland was bumped up to Double-A Wichita to begin the 2022 season, and he posted a 3.34 ERA, 119:39 K:BB and 1.34 WHIP in 105 innings over 20 appearances (19 starts). The right-hander will have a chance to prove himself against Triple-A competition late in the year. However, he's unlikely to be in the mix to join the Twins until sometime in 2023.

Wilcox (elbow) began a rehab assignment Monday with the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and struck out two while allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning.

Wilcox faced five batters in his 2022 debut and in his first outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September. Given that pitchers typically require at least a 12-month recovery from the procedure, Wilcox wasn't expected to take the mound in 2022, but he evidently recovered at a faster rate than the Rays anticipated. He's still likely to require several outings in the FCL before reporting to Single-A Charleston, where he finished the 2021 campaign.

McCullers (forearm) struck out five over five innings and allowed five runs on seven hits -- including two home runs -- and three walks in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Making what was expected to be the fourth and final start of his minor-league rehab assignment, McCullers probably wasn't as sharp as the Astros envisioned, but he was at least able to get stretched out to five innings and 86 pitches Sunday. Assuming the Astros were satisfied with how McCullers checked out physically following the outing, he should be cleared to come off the 60-day injured list to make his next start with Houston, which is expected to move to a six-man rotation to accommodate him. He tentatively lines up to make his 2022 debut for the big club this weekend against the Athletics at Minute Maid Park.

Ragans is listed as the Rangers' scheduled starting pitcher for Thursday's game in Houston.

The rookie southpaw will make his second straight turn through the rotation after he had a strong showing in his MLB debut last week against the White Sox, covering five innings and striking out three in a no-decision while allowing one unearned run on three hits and four walks. He'll need to cut down on the free passes to consistently succeed in the big leagues, but Ragans looks like he'll at least have a decent amount of leash in the Texas rotation while Jon Gray (oblique) is expected to be sidelined into September.

Manning allowed four hits and three walks over seven scoreless frames in Sunday's loss to the Rays. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Manning turned in the longest shutout appearance of his career while tying his career best with seven punchouts Sunday. The 6-foot-6 righty did not give up an extra-base hit and allowed just one runner to reach scoring position. He threw 63 of 95 pitches for strikes, including a career-high 13 whiffs. Manning lowered his ERA to 2.25 with a 12:7 K:BB through 20 innings this season. He's projected to face the White Sox on the road next week.

Ober (groin) will begin a bullpen progression Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla., in hopes of a September return, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ober has been out since early June with an aponeurotic plate injury, which he described as a tendon pulling on his pelvic bone. Because of the time he missed in addition to the fact that the Twins still want him to get stretched out for starting duty, Ober is likely at least three weeks away from coming off the 60-day injured list.

Montas did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over three innings against the Cardinals. He struck out two.

The newest Yankees starter was largely ineffective in his team debut, as he only made it through three innings on 64 pitches while allowing a season-high six earned runs. Nolan Arenado provided most of the firepower for the Cardinals, tagging Montas for an RBI single in the first and a three-run home run in the second before Aaron Boone pulled Montas from the game. The veteran right-hander, who has just one victory since June 11, will look to sharpen up in his next scheduled start in Boston.

Gausman did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing zero runs on six hits and zero walks over six innings in a 3-2 win over the Twins. He struck out five.

The 31-year-old righty was sharp Sunday, getting through six innings on just 84 pitches en route to the quality start. Gausman was around the strike zone all night as he did not walk a single batter, which has been key to his success all season -- he has walked more than three batters just once. Gausman will look to keep up the momentum in his next scheduled start against the Guardians.

Watkins (4-2) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in 5.1 innings to take the loss during Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Watkins tossed four scoreless frames to begin Sunday's matchup but struggled later in the matchup, giving up three runs in the top of the fifth inning before being charged with another earned run in the top of the sixth. The right-hander had posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 34 innings over his six appearances after being recalled by the Orioles, but he was forced to settle for his second loss of the season Sunday. Watkins tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Tampa Bay on Friday.

McKenzie (8-8) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight in eight scoreless innings to earn the win over the Astros on Sunday.

McKenzie was charged with a loss in each of his last two starts, but he was dominant while tossing just 91 pitches (66 strikes) over eight innings Sunday. He didn't get much run support from the Guardians' offense during the pitching duel, but he still managed to pick up his eighth win of the season. After giving up nine runs (eight earned) in 13 innings over his last two starts, it was encouraging to see the right-hander regain the dominance that he displayed when he posted a 0.34 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 26.2 innings over his first four starts in July. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Toronto on Saturday.