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
Rotowire
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
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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.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Playing catch again
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Fleming (elbow) resumed playing catch last week, MLB.com reports.
When Fleming initially landed on the 15-day injured list June 2 with left elbow soreness, the Rays had feared that the southpaw could be a candidate for season-ending surgery. Fortunately for Fleming, a follow-up MRI revealed only cartilage damage and inflammation, as his left elbow was deemed to be structurally sound. He'll ultimately be sidelined until at least late July after he was moved to the 60-day IL, but since he's already throwing again, Fleming looks as though he'll have a chance at being ready for activation when first eligible.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Won't require elbow surgery
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Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters before Friday's game versus San Diego that Fleming will not need to undergo surgery on his left elbow, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
"We'll be able to get a ball in [Fleming's] hands," Cash said. The southpaw is currently on the 60-day injured list after an MRI revealed a cartilage buildup, and he could return to the back of the Rays rotation by the end of July.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Shifts to 60-day injured list
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Tampa Bay transferred Fleming (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.
Fleming hit the IL on June 2 with what was initially called left elbow soreness, but an MRI revealed cartilage buildup on his elbow bone as well as inflammation, issues from which it will take at least two months to recover. He'll visit a specialist next week to get some additional clarity, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Fleming wasn't all that impressive prior to his injury, recording a 4.62 ERA and an 11.6 percent strikeout rate, but his 48.2 innings ranked third on the team, so the Rays will have to fill those innings somehow.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Awaiting MRI results
Rotowire
Fleming (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, is awaiting the results of an MRI, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The 27-year-old was scheduled to start in Saturday's doubleheader but landed on the shelf with left elbow soreness Friday. Fleming's return timeline could come into focus once the results of the MRI are known.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Placed on IL with elbow soreness
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Fleming was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with left elbow soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Fleming was scheduled to start one of the two games of Tampa Bay's doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, but that won't happen now. The left-hander will miss at least two weeks while recovering, and the Rays will announce a corresponding move before Saturday's twin bill. Trevor Kelley will be deployed as an opener in Fleming's place Saturday.
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Rays' Josh Fleming: Hit hard in no-decision
Rotowire
Fleming did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and two walks over six innings against the Dodgers. He struck out three.
The home run ball was Fleming's downfall against the Dodgers -- five out of the 12 hits he surrendered left the yard. The 27-year-old southpaw had been pitching well coming into Sunday's matchup, allowing just three earned runs over 15 innings in his last three starts. Fleming's ERA is up to 4.62 with a 1.44 WHIP and 24:19 K:BB across 48.2 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Red Sox in Fenway Park.
