MLB Player News

Wells worked a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over the Phillies on Monday.

Wells needed just seven pitches to roll through the heart of Philadelphia's order and finish off the 2-0 win. He's now 3-for-6 in save chances this season after blowing his previous two opportunities. The 6-foot-8 righty owns a 4.09 ERA through 55 innings.

Means (6-7) allowed four hits and a walk over 6.2 shutout innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over Philadelphia.

Means was spotted a 2-0 lead before he took the mound in the first inning and used it to his advantage. He didn't allow a runner into scoring position until the seventh and never gave up an extra-base hit. It was his fifth straight start allowing two or fewer runs and his first scoreless appearance since May 11. The 28-year-old is now sporting a 3.25 ERA with a 124:26 K:BB through 138.2 frames. Means is lined up to face Texas at home this weekend.

Rodon experienced soreness during Monday's start against Detroit, and the team is uncertain as to when he'll make his next start, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. He didn't factor into the decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out six over three innings.

The White Sox have been cautious with their southpaw down the stretch of the regular season, but Rodon still hasn't felt quite right out on the bump of late. Skipper Tony La Russa stated Rodon will need to be examined and reassessed following Monday's outing, per Fegan, which will likely take place over the next few days. The outcome of this assessment will determine the date of his next start. Interestingly enough, Rodon described his own soreness after the contest as "normal soreness" and "nothing crazy," per Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago.

Bassitt (face) isn't listed as the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Thursday's series finale was previously mentioned as a possible return date for the 32-year-old but James Kaprielian will instead receive the starting nod. According to Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News, Bassitt felt good after throwing about 30 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, which should still give him an opportunity to return later in the week.

Whitlock's pectoral strain is a minor one but could still send him to the injured list, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock left Sunday's game against Oakland with what was originally described as right pectoral tightness. It turns out that he's dealing with a strain, but he could still potentially avoid a trip to the injured list. If he doesn't wind up being so lucky, however, he'll only be eligible to return for the final four days of the regular season.

Bielak was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bielak was optioned Saturday but is back already without having made a minor-league appearance. He'll offer length out of the bullpen for the Astros, as he's done for most of the season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Taillon (ankle) will likely begin a minor-league rehab assignment Wednesday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Taillon will presumably report to either Double-A Somerset or Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for what should be only one rehab start before he rejoins the big club. The right-hander has been on the shelf for just two weeks with the right ankle tendon sprain, so the one start should be all he needs to fully ramp up. Due to off days this Thursday and next Monday, the Yankees will be able to get by with a four-man rotation until Oct. 2, though Taillon could be added to the mix a few days before then, if desired.

Stripling threw a side session Monday and is slated to either start or work as a bulk reliever in Wednesday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He'll be stepping in for at least one turn through the rotation as a replacement for Hyun Jin Ryu, who was placed on the injured list Sunday with a neck strain. Stripling has made two relief appearances for Toronto since being reinstated from the injured list Sept. 11 after about a month-long absence due to an oblique injury. Before the shutdown, he started in 19 of his 20 appearances for the Blue Jays, compiling a 4.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 91:28 K:BB across 93.1 innings.

The Yankees reinstated Severino (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Severino's next appearance for the Yankees will be his first since the 2019 postseason, after he missed nearly all of the subsequent two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In recent months, his season debut with the big club has been delayed by setbacks with a strained groin and a stiff right shoulder, but he was finally activated after he checked out fine during a simulated game over the weekend. Because he hasn't had time to fully ramp up, Severino will be limited to a bullpen role for the rest of the 2021 campaign. The Yankees will presumably look to bring Severino back as a member of the rotation in 2022.

Baz's contract was selected as expected Monday ahead of his major-league debut against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was originally in the mix to debut Friday but had to wait an extra three days due to back spasms. The 22-year-old is one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the league. His appeal used to be entirely about his triple-digit heat, as he owned an 11.6 percent career walk rate prior to this season, but he's suddenly found his command this year, walking just 4.4 percent of opposing batters across 17 upper-minors starts. When combined with a stellar 37.9 percent strikeout rate, that's led to a 2.06 ERA. Andrew Kittredge (neck) landed on the injured list to clear a spot on the active roster, while Chris Archer (hip) shifted to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man.