MLB Player News

Muller tossed two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers, giving up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one.

In his previous outing Sept. 3 versus the Angels, Muller started and kept the Halos off the board through the first three innings, but he melted down in the fourth, giving up three runs before being pulled. Since Muller carried a 7.62 ERA and 1.93 WHIP over 15 appearances (13 starts) on the season heading into the weekend, the Athletics opted to move him to the bullpen and gave Sean Newcomb an audition as a starter. Newcomb delivered four scoreless frames Saturday before turning the game over to Muller, though neither pitcher was ultimately stuck with the loss. In any case, with Newcomb making the most of his opportunity, look for him to get at least one more start while Muller sticks in a relief role.

Hill worked in relief Sunday in the Padres' 12-2 loss to the Astros, striking out three while giving up two unearned runs on one hit and two walks over three innings.

After failing to escape the second inning while serving up six earned runs in his most recent start Sept. 4 versus the Phillies, Hill was bypassed for the start Sunday in favor of Matt Waldron. Though Waldron was dealt the loss after giving up four earned runs in five innings, he might have performed well enough to maintain the rotation spot over Hill, who lowered his ERA on Sunday but needed 55 pitches just to record his nine outs. Since joining the Padres in an Aug. 1 deal with the Pirates, Hill has gone 0-4 with a 9.27 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB across 22.1 innings over seven appearances (five starts).

Teheran (hip) made the fourth start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Nashville, striking out five in five innings while allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks.

Teheran covered five frames for the second rehab outing in a row, though after tossing 72 pitches his last time out, the right-hander was lifted after 60 pitches (34 strikes) on Sunday. He appears to be sufficiently stretched out for starting duty again following his placement on the 15-day injured list July 30 with a right hip impingement, but the Brewers don't have an immediate need for Teheran in their rotation. Colin Rea has been solid enough in two turns through the rotation since rejoining the Brewers earlier this month as a replacement for injured No. 5 starter Adrian Houser (elbow).

Wentz made his most recent appearance out of the Tigers bullpen in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Yankees, giving up one earned run on no hits and two walks over 1.1 innings.

Wentz ended up being the pitcher of record in the game, dropping to 2-11 overall on the season. The relief appearance came on the heels of a five-inning outing as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen Aug. 30, when he struck out six while giving up four earned runs on five hits and three walks, also in a matchup with the Yankees. A spot in Detroit's rotation opened up this weekend when Matt Manning (foot) was placed on the 15-day injured list, but rather than appointing Wentz as the team's new No. 5 starter, the Tigers turned to Sawyer Gipson-Long to fill the spot. Gipson-Long picked up a win against the White Sox on Sunday while striking out five over five innings of a two-run ball, so he'll likely remain in the rotation while Wentz sticks in a relief role.

Abbott will not start for the Reds on Wednesday in Detroit in what would be his next turn in the rotation, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Abbott's 153 innings between the majors and minors this season is already 35 frames past his previous career high, and he's looked of late like he might be hitting a wall with a 6.51 ERA over his last eight starts. The Reds currently have TBD listed for Thursday, and it's possible Abbott winds up taking the ball that day. For now, though, his next scheduled start looks to be up in the air.

Phillips will make his second start for the Reds on Wednesday in Detroit, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though Andrew Abbott is on turn to start Wednesday, the Reds will give the rookie southpaw at least one additional day of rest amid his recent struggles. As a result, Phillips will be called upon to make his second big-league start despite struggling in his debut outing against the Mariners last week, when he allowed five runs over 4.2 innings. Phillips' time in the Cincinnati rotation could come to an end when Ben Lively (illness) likely returns from the COVID-19-related injured list later in the week.

Williamson (illness) will return from the COVID-19-related injured list to start Tuesday against the Tigers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson will have gone exactly two weeks between starts, as he was placed on the COVID-19 list Sept. 2 after making his last appearance for the Reds four days earlier. The left-hander had turned in two straight quality starts before going on the list, but he's been an up-and-down performer this season and might not be ready for a full workload Tuesday.

Atlanta transferred Soroka (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jackson Stephens, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of Monday's doubleheader with the Phillies. Soroka had already been ruled out for the season with right forearm inflammation. Before being shut down, Soroka made seven appearances (six starts) for the big club this season, going 2-2 with a 6.40 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 32.1 innings.

Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Winans was excellent in a spot start for Atlanta in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Pirates, fanning eight batters while yielding just two runs over 6.1 innings in a no-decision. He could have set himself up for another spot start with the big club down the stretch, but for now, Atlanta will send him down to the minors to make room for a fresh bullpen arm.

Ortiz allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out none across 5.1 innings Sunday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

Ortiz limited the damage against one of the tougher lineups in the league and held Atlanta without any extra-base hits. While his ability to suppress runs is positive, Ortiz lacked the ability to miss bats and racked up only five swinging strikes across 73 total pitches. That contrast has been present since he was promoted back to the majors Aug. 23, as he's maintained a respectable 4.12 ERA but has only a 14:12 K:BB across 19.2 frames.