MLB Player News

Bassitt (face) could be activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday to start the Athletics' series finale against the Mariners in Oakland, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Sidelined since Aug. 17 after taking a line drive off the face and suffering facial fractures that required surgery, Bassitt initially looked like he could be at risk of missing the rest of the season. The right-hander has made tremendous progress in his recovery, however, and after tossing a simulated game Saturday without issue, he looks to be on the cusp of rejoining the 28-man active roster. The Athletics will likely have Bassitt complete a bullpen session Monday as a final test of his health before reinserting him into the rotation. Since he's slated to return from the IL without completing a rehab assignment beforehand, Bassitt could be subject to a limited workload in his first start in more than a month.

Lynch (calf) is expected to make his next scheduled start Tuesday versus Cleveland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch left his last start Thursday versus Oakland due to calf tightness in the third inning. It doesn't appear as if the injury will cost him any additional time. The southpaw has a 5.34 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 48:26 K:BB in 59 innings across 13 starts this year, and he carries a 4-5 record into Tuesday's start.

Singer is expected to be activated from the injured list and start Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader versus Cleveland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Singer was placed on the injured list Friday for an undisclosed reason. The quick return indicates he's cleared COVID-19 protocols and will be able to pitch in the first game of the twin bill. He'll still need to be officially activated prior to the start.

Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Watkins has an 8.42 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB over 51.1 innings this season and will head back to the minors. Recent waiver claim Brooks Kriske was added to the major-league roster in a corresponding move.

Arihara was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday.

Arihara inked a two-year, $6.2 million deal with Texas in the offseason but has now been jettisoned from the 40-man roster after posting a 6.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB in 10 starts (40.2 innings). It's somewhat of a surprising move given the 29-year-old is still under contract for next season, and it remains to be seen whether this means his time with the Rangers is over. Mike Foltynewicz (undisclosed) was activated from the COVID-19 IL in a corresponding move and could fill Arihara's rotation spot.

Ryu was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a neck strain, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Ryu apparently had the injury crop up when he woke up Saturday morning following his start Friday, and the Blue Jays hope he'll miss only one start. The veteran left-hander will be eligible to return for the Sept. 28 matchup with the Yankees. Ross Stripling is a likely candidate to fill in as a spot starter for Toronto.

McClanahan (back) was activated off the 10-day injured list to start Sunday's game versus Detroit, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The left-hander will rejoin the rotation after spending the 10-day minimum on the IL due to back stiffness. McClanahan has a 3.04 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts) since the All-Star break, and he shouldn't significant workload limitations Sunday following the brief absence.

Ryan (wrist) won't start Sunday against the Blue Jays as Luke Farrell will instead start a bullpen game for the Twins, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ryan has been dealing with a bruised right wrist after being hit by a comebacker in his previous start last Tuesday versus Cleveland, and he'll receive some extra rest between outings. There's been no indication the right-hander is heading to the injured list, so he could be an option to start Tuesday against the Cubs following Monday's scheduled off day.

Farrell will start Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Farrell has a 1.31 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB across 20.2 innings this season, and he'll make his first start of the campaign Sunday with the Twins employing a bullpen game. The 30-year-old covered a season-high 2.1 frames his last time out Monday and shouldn't be expected to go much deeper than that in Toronto.

Suarez (7-8) took the loss in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Athletics, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

Suarez settled down after surrendering three runs in the first inning on three hits and a walk, but Los Angeles was never able to recover from the early hole. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the 23-year-old, who has gone at least 5.2 innings in each of his last three starts. Suarez is set to take the hill against the Astros on Thursday.