MLB Player News

Wells (oblique) threw a bullpen session at Camden Yards on Sunday and is expected to make at least one more minor-league rehab appearance before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells returned to Baltimore after he made a rehab start at High-A Aberdeen on Friday, when he struck out three over 2.1 innings while allowing one run on one hit and no walks. The right-hander checked out fine physically following the 31-pitch outing, but he'll still need at least one more tune-up outing before being activated. Kubatko notes that Wells is likely to rejoin the Orioles as a multi-inning reliever, given that Baltimore's current five starters are performing well in addition to the fact that a bullpen role would require a shorter buildup program for the 28-year-old. Wells is used to working out of the bullpen, having made all 44 of his appearances with Baltimore in 2021 as a reliever.

The Twins placed Mahle on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation.

When Mahle was diagnosed with the same injury in August, he was on the shelf for 16 days before he returned to the mound for Saturday's game against the White Sox. Mahle lasted just two innings in his return, however, surrendering four earned runs on five hits to drop to 6-8 in the Twins' 13-0 loss. The fact that he suffered a setback with the injury in his first start back from the IL suggests that Mahle could be inactive for a longer period this time around. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can likely feel comfortable moving on from Mahle, who won't be in line for more than two or three starts the rest of the way even if he avoids a prolonged absence.

The Mets reinstated Carrasco (oblique) from the 15-day injured list in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Nationals.

According to Tim Healey of Newsday, reliever Adonis Medina was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to open up a spot on the 28-man active roster for Carrasco, who was on the shelf for the past two and a half weeks with a left oblique strain. Since he didn't head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated and instead threw a simulated game, Carrasco could be on a limited pitch count Sunday as he steps back into New York's rotation.

Cabrera didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in five innings.

Cabrera was able to limit the damage to an Austin Riley solo shot in the fourth inning despite some traffic on the bases. The 24-year-old found the zone with 57 of 98 pitches and induced 12 swinging strikes en route to notching at least seven strikeouts for the fifth time in nine turns this season. Cabrera carries a 2.39 ERA and 1.06 WHIP into his next start, slated for next weekend against the Mets.

Keuchel was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday.

Keuchel signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers in late July and was added to the big-league rotation a month later, and he surrendered 14 earned runs over 10 innings between his two starts. It's the same story with a different team for the veteran left-hander, who has also been DFA'd by the White Sox and Diamondbacks this season. Overall Keuchel has a 9.20 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB across 14 starts this year, and he is unlikely to return to a big-league mound during the final month of the campaign.

Oviedo is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Mets, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Though he struck out four over three scoreless innings in his Pirates debut Friday against the Blue Jays, Oviedo needed 77 pitches to record his nine outs while conceding two hits and three walks. Despite Oviedo's inefficiency, the Pirates came away from the outing encouraged enough to give him another turn through the rotation. Don't expect Oviedo to cover much more than 90 pitches in Wednesday's start, however, which could hurt his chances of factoring into the decision.

Ray (12-8) earned the win during Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing six hits while recording three strikeouts across six shutout innings.

Ray permitted two hits in each of the first, third and fifth innings but kept Cleveland off the board with the help of a pickoff and double play. The 30-year-old's impressive August carried into September as he's now surrendered just six runs in 39 innings across his last six starts -- good for a 1.38 ERA. Saturday's three strikeouts mark his lowest total during the stretch, though he still induced a healthy 10 swinging strikes on 87 pitches. Ray carries a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come against at home against Atlanta next weekend.

Crawford was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to Sept. 1, with a right shoulder impingement.

The 26-year-old had already been scratched from Sunday's scheduled start against the Rangers due to the injury, and he'll end up missing some additional time. Crawford's shoulder injury doesn't seem to be overly severe, as manager Alex Cora said he's hopeful that the right-hander will require a minimum-length stay on the IL, per Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican. Josh Winckowski was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move and will start Sunday in Crawford's stead.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett following Saturday's 2-1 win over the Marlins.

Making a spot start Saturday in place of Jake Odorizzi (arm), Elder was brilliant in the outing. He struck out six and scattered two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings before departing with a 1-0 lead, but Elder was denied the win when closer Kenley Jansen served up a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning. Though Elder will now head back to Triple-A, he could be first in line for a promotion if Atlanta requires another starter again at some point over the final month of the season.

Contreras did not factor into the decision against Toronto on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out five and walking two over six innings.

Contreras pitched well Saturday, but the Pirates' bullpen could not hang on for the win. Contreras allowed six baserunners but limited the damage to just one run scored. The rookie starter tossed 65 of 92 pitches for strikes across six frames for his third quality start of the season and his second in his last three appearances. Contreras will take a 3.41 ERA into his next outing.