MLB Player News

Manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that McCormick has a fracture in his right hand and will need to spend time on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCormick crashed into the outfield wall during Tuesday's contest and had to make an early exit from the game, and it now appears the 29-year-old will need to sit out for a while longer. There's no telling if he'll be able to return before the end of the regular season.

Ward went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

Ward led off the game with a homer, his sixth in his last 12 games. In that span, he's gone 16-for-46 (.348) with eight RBI and 12 runs scored. The outfielder has matched his career high in homers (23) from the 2022 season, though his .758 OPS this year is a far cry from the .833 mark he posted in that campaign. Ward has added 67 RBI, 67 runs scored, four stolen bases, 26 doubles and two triples over 140 contests in 2024.

Schanuel went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI, a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

Schanuel had gone 15 games without a multi-hit effort, batting just .157 (8-for-51) with one extra-base hit in that span. The first baseman had also gone over a month since his last homer (Aug. 8). He's now at a .247/.342/.364 slash line with 13 homers, 49 RBI, 59 runs scored and six steals through 135 contests this season.

Kochanowicz (2-5) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Twins.

A three-run fourth inning was enough to send Kochanowicz to his second straight loss. He had posted five straight quality starts before Wednesday's outing fell short of that threshold. The rookie right-hander is now at a 5.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB through 44.1 innings over eight starts. He's projected for a favorable home start versus the White Sox in his next outing.

Duran allowed a run on three hits and struck out two over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

Duran was able to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning despite giving up an RBI single to Nolan Schanuel. Over his last seven appearances (5.2 innings), Duran has surrendered eight runs (seven earned), though he's still logged five saves in that span. The right-hander is now at a 4.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:13 K:BB while racking up 23 saves through 48.1 innings this year.

Matthews allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Wednesday.

Matthews gave up solo home runs to Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel in this contest. This was just the second time Matthews has walked multiple batters over six major-league starts, but he's also been tagged for eight homers. He is at a 7.11 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB through 25.1 innings. His next start is tentatively projected to be at Cleveland.

The Twins will reinstate Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Hip inflammation has kept Buxton on the shelf since mid-August, but after several days of running without any issues, he's now been cleared to return to the Twins' lineup for the beginning of their next series against Cincinnati. The 30-year-old outfielder was slashing .237/.338/.661 since the All-Star break before he got hurt, and he'll presumably reclaim his role as Minnesota's primary center fielder once activated.

The Twins optioned Martin to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Martin has seen his playing time decrease recently, sitting out five of Minnesota's last eight games, and he'll now be pushed off the active roster to make room for Byron Buxton's (hip) impending return from the injured list. Martin has slashed .252/.321/.349 with 16 RBI across 242 plate appearances in the majors this season and could return to the Twins if their outfield depth is tested in the final weeks of the season.

Foley pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Rockies. He walked one and struck out two.

While Tyler Holton has worked his way into the closer mix with seven saves this season, Foley has recorded Detroit's last two saves, and he now has a team-high 22 for the year. The righty doesn't miss a ton of bats, as he has only 40 strikeouts across 53.1 innings, but he's been effective in his role nonetheless. With the Tigers scrapping to stay in contention for a playoff spot, Foley should continue to see plenty of high-leverage work in the season's final few weeks.

Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game against Oakland with right side discomfort, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve seemed to be in a bit of pain after taking a swing in the fifth inning of Wednesday's contest. After being checked out by a trainer, he remained in the game to finish his at-bat but then immediately went into the clubhouse and was replaced at second base to begin the sixth. Manager Joe Espada said after the game that he doesn't believe Altuve's injury to be anything serious, and the veteran infielder is considered day-to-day for now. Should he need an extra day to recover, Mauricio Dubon would likely pick up a start at the keystone.