MLB Player News

Lange (1-6) blew the save and took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 loss against the Twins. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

It's the third blown save in Lange's past five appearances, and he's also surrendered 15 runs over his last nine outings. Steven Cruz has picked up two saves in the past week and seems likely to get more opportunities going forward given Lange's 6.33 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 5.1 BB/9 across 42.2 innings this year.

Sisk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Sisk has been shelved for the past month with left elbow inflammation, but he's progressed enough to pitch in games again. The southpaw reliever was terrific out of the Pirates bullpen before getting hurt, collecting a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB in 36.1 innings.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 3-2 loss against Minnesota. He struck out two.

It's the third consecutive quality start and 13th of the campaign for Lugo, who still has only four wins through 22 starts. Tuesday's victory slipped through his fingers when Royce Lewis delivered a two-run, walk-off triple in the ninth inning. The veteran right-hander certainly isn't dominant -- with his 7.0 K/9 being the lowest since his rookie year -- and is prone to blowups with five starts of at least five runs allowed, but Lugo still has respectable numbers this year with a 4.22 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 96:40 K:BB over 123.2 innings.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cruz (hand) has been cleared for all baseball activities, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Cruz is finally trending in the right direction as he continues rehabbing a fractured left hand. The Pirates anticipate the center fielder getting in some live at-bats later this week or early next week before heading out on a rehab assignment shortly thereafter. Cruz is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Aug. 7, and he could be ready to go on or around that date if all goes well. Jake Mangum has been filling in as the Pirates' everyday center fielder since Cruz went down, but he will revert to fourth-outfielder duties once Cruz is back in the fold.

Beavers is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Detroit.

The lefty-swinging Beavers will grab a seat as the Tigers send southpaw Tarik Skubal to the bump. Leody Taveras will patrol center field for the Orioles.

Holliday is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Detroit.

It's lefty ace Tarik Skubal on the bump for the Tigers, so the left-handed-hitting Holliday will grab a seat even after picking up six hits over the first two games of the series. Jeremiah Jackson will handle second base for the Orioles.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Hernandez is expected to be out for 6-to-8 weeks while recovering from a left oblique strain, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Given the recovery timeline laid out by Tomczyk, Hernandez's 2026 campaign is most likely over, as High-A Greensboro will wrap up its season Sept. 6. After the 20-year-old right-hander totaled 74 innings between his 18 starts at High-A and Single-A Bradenton, he may have been a shutdown candidate at some point in August if the injury hadn't intervened. The oblique strain shouldn't dramatically affect Hernandez's offseason training program nor his standing as one of the top pitching prospects in the minors heading into 2027. Hernandez overwhelmed Florida State League and South Atlantic League hitters with his power arsenal during his first season in the pro ranks, racking up 118 strikeouts while pitching to a 2.43 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.

Crews is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

Crews homered in the Nationals' victory Tuesday, but he'll get some rest during Wednesday's afternoon tilt after starting the last six games. Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and James Wood will patrol the outfield for the Nats.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Ruiz was behind the dish for the first two games of the series, so he'll get a break during Wednesday's matinee. The Nationals will go with Harry Ford at catcher in the rubber match.

Guerrero (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Nationals.

Guerrero exited Tuesday's 8-6 loss in the fourth inning due to right hamstring tightness, and with the Blue Jays wrapping up their series in Washington with a day game after a night game, it's no surprise he'll be on the bench. On a positive note, manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that Guerrero is "feeling better" compared to Tuesday and is "probably available to pinch hit," if needed. With a team off day looming Thursday, the Blue Jays may prefer to stay away from Guerrero on Wednesday with the hope that he's ready to return to the lineup in Friday's series opener against the Cardinals.