MLB Player News

Larnach went 3-for-6 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

His RBI single in the eighth inning off Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias tied the game at 4-4, but the Twins couldn't complete the comeback. Larnach has at least three hits in three of his last five games, and through 71 plate appearances in August the 27-year-old is slashing .318/.366/.530 with five doubles, three homers, 11 RBI and 15 runs.

Maeda is expected to be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Mason Englert in Wednesday's game against the Angels, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Maeda hasn't made a start since July 9, but he's essentially maintained a spot in the rotation since the All-Star break while working as a bulk reliever. He's turned in a 4.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:2 K:BB over 29.2 innings across his seven relief appearances, with his ERA inflated by a rough showing this past Thursday against the Cubs in which he coughed up six runs across five frames. After Wednesday's appearance, Maeda could move into more a flexible multi-inning role out of the bullpen with the Tigers having recently added Triple-A Toledo call-up Ty Madden to the rotation. Additionally, Casey Mize (hamstring) appears poised to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend to give the Tigers another rotation option.

Duran (6-8) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up four runs (three earned) on four hits in one-third of an inning in an 8-6 extra-inning loss to Atlanta. He struck out one.

Called in for the top of the 10th inning in a 4-4 tie, Duran gave up a double to Marcell Ozuna to lead off the frame and never found his footing. The Twins' closer has been tagged for runs in six of 14 appearances since the All-Star break, stumbling to a 5.84 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over that stretch despite a 20:3 K:BB in 12.1 innings. Duran's recent struggles seem largely due to bad luck -- his average exit velocity allowed on the season sits in the 91st percentile, while his groundball rate is in the 98th percentile.

Canning is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

For the first time all season, Canning didn't start in his most recent appearance Thursday in Toronto, as he instead worked as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Brock Burke. Though Canning struck out six over six scoreless innings out of the bullpen Thursday, the Angels won't use an opener in front of Canning in Detroit and will instead return him to his normal starting role. Canning enters Wednesday's contest with a 4-11 record, 5.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 102:48 K:BB through 139 innings on the season.

Woods Richardson came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Atlanta, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander tossed only 55 of 91 pitches for strikes and exited the mound with the Twins in a 4-0 hole, but his offense got him off the hook for the loss. Woods Richardson has failed to last longer than five innings in five of his last six starts, stumbling to a 5.59 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB in 29 innings over that stretch. He'll look for a better result in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Tampa Bay.

Rasmussen will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Rasmussen will be making his third start of the season, but as was the case on the previous two occasions, he'll likely be limited to one or two innings. Tyler Alexander is expected to be deployed as a bulk reliever behind Rasmussen.

Duran went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Blue Jays.

The 27-year-old outfielder led off the game by hooking a Yariel Rodriguez fastball around Pesky's Pole down the right-field line, continuing a blistering stretch that has seen Duran slash .372/.449/.860 over his last 11 games. Tuesday's blast gave him his first career 20-20 campaign -- he's got 20 homers and 32 steals in 130 contests -- and Duran capped off his impressive performance with outfield assists in each of the first two innings, tying him with Ian Happ for the MLB lead at 11.

Criswell came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

He needed 72 pitches (46 strikes) to record 10 outs, and Criswell benefitted from some sloppy baserunning by Toronto just to do that well. The right-hander has thrown more than 70 pitches in three straight outings but has failed to last five innings in any of them, posting a 6.35 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB in 11.1 frames over that rough stretch. The Red Sox have fallen four games back of the Twins for the final wild-card spot in the AL, and Criswell could have a very short leash in the rotation as a result. He currently lines up to make his next start on the road this weekend in Detroit.

Wagner went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Red Sox.

The 26-year-old rookie banged out doubles in the second and fourth innings, one off the Green Monster and one into the left-field corner, before smashing his first career homer in the majors into the right-field bullpen off Brennan Bernardino in the sixth. Per Craig Forde of MLB.com, Wagner is the first player in Blue Jays history to collect two doubles and a home run in the same game within his first 13 big-league contests. He's had an impressive start to his Toronto tenure since being acquired from Houston in the Yusei Kikuchi deal, slashing .326/.356/.512 over 45 plate appearances with six extra-base hits, five runs and six RBI.

The Blue Jays optioned Eisert to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Eisert served as the 27th man for Toronto on Monday as it completed a suspended game and played another contest in Boston. He was available for the nightcap but did not make an appearance.