Pirates' Josh Fleming: Returns with scoreless outing
Rotowire
Fleming allowed four hits over four-plus shutout innings during a no-decision Sunday. He struck out two during the win over Colorado.
Fleming made his first MLB appearance since May 13 and impressed with four scoreless frames. He gave up a pair of singles without recording an out in the fifth inning, but Carmen Mlodzinski escaped the jam to keep the Rockies off the board. Fleming now owns a 4.70 ERA with a 15:9 K:BB through 23 MLB innings this season. He'll most likely shift to the bullpen or head back to Triple-A Indianapolis.
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Pirates' Josh Fleming: Drawing start Sunday
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Fleming is slated to start Sunday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Fleming was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday but went unused out of the bullpen for the first two games of the Pirates' series in Colorado. He'll step into the rotation for the series finale Sunday as Pittsburgh looks to give each of their other starters an additional day of rest, but Fleming will likely head to the bullpen or return to Triple-A immediately after the start. Fleming had worked as a multi-inning reliever for Indianapolis prior to his call-up, covering at least two frames in each of his last four appearances while pitching to a 5.68 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in seven outings overall.
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Pirates' Josh Fleming: Joining MLB roster
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The Pirates selected Fleming to the active roster Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Fleming will rejoin the Pirates' bullpen after being DFA'd on May 14. He'll take the place of Hunter Stratton (triceps), who was placed on the 15-day IL, while Niko Goodrum was designated for assignment to make room for Fleming on the 40-man roster. Fleming has pitched 19 innings with the Pirates this season and owns a 5.68 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP.
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Pirates' Josh Fleming: Outrighted to Indianapolis
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Fleming cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Fleming was DFA'd by the Pirates on Tuesday after giving up six runs (five earned) in his most recent MLB appearance, and he will officially remain within the organization as he looks to get back on track. The 28-year-old southpaw posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in Triple-A last season, though he will likely have to do better than that before the Pirates start thinking about calling him back up to the majors.
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Pirates' Josh Fleming: Pushed off 40-man roster
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The Pirates designated Fleming for assignment Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Fleming was torched for six runs (five earned) during Monday's win over the Brewers, causing his ERA to skyrocket from 3.50 to 5.68 on the season. Although his most recent outing was rough, his solid start to the season may still attract interest from other teams in need of bullpen depth. Ryder Ryan was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Fleming will start Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Fleming has previously made 22 starts in the majors with the Rays over the previous four seasons, but he's worked exclusively out of the bullpen this season for Pittsburgh. The southpaw has one three-inning appearance under his belt, but it came back on March 29, and each of his subsequent eight outings have lasted 1.2 innings or fewer. As such, Fleming shouldn't be expected to work deep into Wednesday's contest and may be serving as a glorified opener in front of rookie Quinn Priester, who had initially been in line to start the game.
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Pirates' Josh Fleming: Three-inning save Friday
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Fleming gave up one run on two hits and a walk over three relief innings Friday to record his first save of the season in a 7-2 win over the Marlins. He struck out three.
The 27-year-old southpaw entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Pirates ahead by four runs already, and he never gave manager Derek Shelton a reason to turn to another pitcher. Fleming tossed 58 pitches (33 strikes) in the appearance and likely won't be available for a few days, which could prompt Pittsburgh to option him to Triple-A Indianapolis in favor of a fresh arm. The save was the second of his career, and his first back in 2021 for the Rays was also of the three-inning variety, so he's not a late-inning option for the Pirates.
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Pirates' Josh Fleming: Signs one-year deal with Pittsburgh
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Fleming signed a one-year, split contract with the Pirates on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The 27-year-old will earn $850,000 if he's in the majors. Murray writes that the Pirates plan to use Fleming as a long reliever who could occasionally make a spot start. The left-hander holds a career 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 144:69 K:BB across 223.1 major-league innings covering parts of four seasons.
Fleming was non-tendered by the Phillies on Friday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Fleming was just claimed off waivers from the Rays on Nov. 6, but the Phillies ultimately decided they didn't want to pay his arbitration price. The 27-year-old left-hander holds a career 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 144:69 K:BB in 223.1 major-league innings.
Phillies' Josh Fleming: Catches on with Philadelphia
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The Phillies claimed Fleming off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
With Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen ticketed for free agency, Fleming gives the Phillies some added starting pitching depth to kick off the offseason, though he's far from a lock to come of spring training as a member of the Opening Day rotation. Even while the Rays dealt with numerous injuries to their rotation in 2023, Fleming wasn't able to earn a long-term stay in the big leagues, as he made just one appearance for Tampa Bay from June onward. The southpaw finished his final season in Tampa Bay with a 4.70 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 25:19 K:BB in 51.2 big-league innings.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Removed from 40-man
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The Rays placed Fleming on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Fleming put up a 4.70 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 51.2 innings with the Rays in 2023, and he'll join five other teammates on the waiver wire as he loses his place on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Optioned to Durham
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Fleming to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
Fleming came off the 60-day injured list Saturday and surrendered two runs on five hits over three innings during his return. He'll now head back to the minors to clear a spot for Osleivis Basabe's promotion. Fleming holds a 4.70 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 51.2 innings this season and could return to the Rays' bullpen down the line.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Returns from injured list
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Fleming (elbow) was activated off the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Fleming had been sideliend since early June with elbow issues, but he avoided surgery and has been pitching in rehab games for three weeks. He struck out only six batters in 11 innings across his four rehab appearances, but that's par for the course for a player who had an 11.6 percent strikeout rate prior to his injury. He'll likely factor into the mix as a bulk reliever or back-end starter, though that lack of whiffs limits his fantasy appeal, as does his career 4.86 ERA.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Works 2.1 innings
Rotowire
Fleming (elbow) allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two across 2.1 innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Thursday.
Fleming has been out since late May but has now made two rehab appearances. He threw 43 pitches in his latest outing and will still likely require a couple more appearances before potentially being activated. There is no formal timeline for Fleming's return, but a decision on his status will be required by mid-August.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Starting rehab assignment
Rotowire
Fleming (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Rays' Florida Complex League affiliate Saturday.
Fleming has been on the shelf since early June with cartilage damage and inflammation in his pitching elbow, but he's finally ready to test things out in game action. Given his relatively lengthy absence, Fleming figures to require a handful of rehab appearances before being an option for the Rays' rotation or bullpen.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Nearing rehab outings
Rotowire
Fleming (elbow) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend in the Florida Complex League, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
He'll go around two innings the first time out and build up from there. On the shelf since early June due to a nagging left elbow issue, Fleming looks poised to return to a swingman role with the Rays before the end of July.
