MLB Player News

Keuchel isn't scheduled to start either of the Twins' final two games with the Rangers this weekend but could be available out of the bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "There are a few different scenarios, but not really any one scenario that I'm going to sit here and announce because, frankly, I am not 100 percent sure," manager Rocco Baldelli said of Keuchel's role moving forward.

The Twins will welcome Joe Ryan (groin) back from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's game, bringing the Minnesota rotation back to full strength. After getting called up from Triple-A St. Paul earlier this month, Keuchel was expected to have only a short-term stay with the club, but he made a case for the Twins keeping him around as part of a six-man rotation. Though Keuchel failed to escape the second inning in his second start with the Twins on Aug. 11 in Philadelphia, he rebounded nicely his last time out this past Sunday versus the Pirates, carrying a perfect game through 6.1 innings while striking out three. Keuchel said that he's been throwing shorter bullpen sessions to stay prepared for a potential move to a relief role, but if he ends up going unused behind Ryan on Saturday or Bailey Ober on Sunday, it could be an indication the Twins plan to have him make a start during next week's series with the Guardians.

Bido is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Colin Selby in Saturday's game against the Cubs, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Selby hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the Cubs' batting order before bowing out of the contest. Bido, who hasn't pitched since last Sunday, should be well rested and ready to cover multiple frames out of the bullpen once Selby exits. Over seven outings since the All-Star break spanning 20 innings, Bido has gone 1-3 with a 5.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB.

The Reds optioned Richardson to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

As anticipated, Richardson was with the Reds for only a brief period of time after he was called up from Louisville on Wednesday and designated as the club's 27th man for the doubleheader with the Angels. Richardson ended up drawing the start in the second game of the twin bill, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while not factoring into the decision in the Reds' 7-3 victory.

Kennedy pitched four innings out of the bullpen in Friday's 10-8 loss to the Diamondbacks, striking out two while giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks.

Earlier in the week, the Reds had listed Kennedy as their probable starter for Friday's contest, but he ended up shifting to the bullpen after Cincinnati opted to have Hunter Greene take the hill on his normal four days' rest. Because Greene couldn't escape the fourth inning and was pulled from the contest after allowing five earned runs, Kennedy ended up being needed to mop up behind him. The Reds are expected to get Ben Lively (pectoral) back from the 15-day injured list Saturday, so Kennedy looks as though he'll remain in a relief role while Lively presumably settles into the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Hancock, who isn't expected to pitch again this season due to a shoulder injury, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus shoulder strain with no tear or structural damage, the team's official site reports.

Hancock received a PRP injection in his shoulder Tuesday in an effort to speed up the healing process. The promising right-hander's recovery period is estimated to be 4-to-6 weeks from Aug. 20, the date he suffered the injury. At minimum, Hancock should be able to regain full health fairly early in the offseason, teeing up what will be a key spring training for him in 2024 as he gears up to potentially become a permanent fixture in the big-league rotation.

Miller (elbow), who was able to hit triple digits on the radar gun in his most recent rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Las Vegas, is expected to be activated if his next outing in the minors goes well, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is set for another start with Las Vegas early in the upcoming week, his fourth down on the farm. Assuming all goes off without a hitch, manager Mark Kotsay notes "there could be a plan" for Miller to return from the 60-day injured list when the roster expands to 28 men Sept. 1. Kotsay added that he expected Miller to be utilized with a "pitch restriction or inning limit" in such a scenario, with the idea being to have the highly promising prospect head into the offseason at full health. He worked three innings in his latest rehab start and probably won't be pushed past four or five innings in his upcoming outing with Las Vegas.

Cease (5-7) took the loss Friday as the White Sox were trounced 12-4 by the A's, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

After a scoreless first inning, Oakland jumped on Cease for five runs in the second, and Chicago never recovered. The right-hander tossed only 52 of 96 pitches for strikes as he continues to fall apart in August -- Cease has been tagged for at least five earned runs in three of five starts this month, stumbling to an 8.61 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB through 23 innings. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, likely to come next week in Baltimore.

Senga (10-7) took the loss Friday, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks over 6.2 innings as the Mets fell 3-1 to the Angels. He struck out 10.

It's the third time this season Senga's fanned double-digit batters as he generated a whopping 21 swinging strikes among his 105 pitches, but he got little help from his offense and saw his three-start win streak snapped. The 30-year-old rookie did extend his quality start streak to four, however, and since the All-Star break he's posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB through 46.2 innings. He's next set to take the mound at home next week against the Rangers.

Sandoval (7-10) picked up the win in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw generated 34 called or swinging strikes among his 107 pitches, and the only blemish on Sandoval's final line came on a Francisco Lindor solo shot in the third inning. Sandoval has given up two earned runs or fewer in six of seven starts since the All-Star break, posting a 2.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 39:23 K:BB through 37.1 innings over that stretch. He lines up to face a choice opponent in his next outing, likely next weekend in Oakland.

Bassitt (12-7) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

The veteran righty gave up a lot of hard contact -- five of the seven hits off Bassitt went for extra bases, including homers by Bo Naylor and Ramon Laureano. It's the first time Bassitt's served up multiple homers in an outing since June 13, but he's been taken deep at least once in six straight starts, posting a 4.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB through 35.2 innings over that stretch. He'll try to keep the ball in the park in his next trip to the mound, which is likely to come at home next week against the Nationals.