Wentz adjusted the grip on his cutter last month, which he says has fueled his recent form, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old southpaw struggled earlier in the season for the Pirates and Twins, but since Atlanta claimed him off the waiver wire July 11, Wentz has delivered a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over 18 innings and four appearances (three starts). "Joey's been great," manager Brian Snitker said after Wednesday's game, in which Wentz blanked the Royals over 6.2 innings. "It's just been about getting him stretched out, and now he is. He's just kind of quietly doing a really, really good job for us. And we're in a situation because we were looking for starters." Wentz's mediocre big-league track record still outweighs his July numbers, but if his cutter has become a true out pitch, he might finally begin to live up to his draft pedigree after being the 40th overall selection in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft.

Wentz didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing just one hit and three walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Making just his third start of the season, Wentz was stellar, holding the Royals to just one hit -- a single to Maikel Garcia, the first batter he faced to lead off the opening inning. The 27-year-old left-hander has allowed just four runs (three earned) across 15 innings in his first three starts this year. Wentz has pitched for three teams this season (Atlanta, Minnesota and Pittsburgh) primarily in relief, posting a 5.02 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP and 49:26 K:BB across 52 innings. Wentz has certainly pitched well enough to earn an extended look in Atlanta's rotation. He'd currently line up to face the Brewers at home in his next outing.

Wentz (2-2) took the loss Friday against the Rangers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz set a season high in strikeouts, and he also managed to throw a season-high 81 pitches. The 27-year-old left-hander appears close to being fully stretched out to take on a starter's workload, which should enhance his streaming appeal in deeper leagues when he's set for a favorable matchup. Wentz owns a 5.56 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 42:23 K:BB across 45.1 frames, and he's next tentatively lined up to face a Royals team with an .888 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

Wentz is slated to start Friday's game against the Rangers in Arlington.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz will pick up a second straight start after he struck out two over four scoreless innings in his first turn through the rotation out of the All-Star break this past Saturday against the Yankees. After having mostly served as a reliever this season across stops with Pittsburgh, Minnesota and now Atlanta, Wentz is still in the process of getting stretched out, so he could be limited to around five innings or 70 pitches Friday.

Wentz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings in a 12-9 loss against the Yankees. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz delivered four scoreless innings Saturday, but the bullpen's collapse cost the team a win. The southpaw has bounced between three teams this season with mixed results, but he's off to a strong start in Atlanta, posting seven scoreless innings across two appearances. Saturday marked his first start of the year, so it remains to be seen whether he sticks in the rotation or shifts back to a bullpen role.

Wentz is listed as Atlanta's probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Yankees at Truist Park.

EDGE Analysis

After Atlanta claimed him off waivers from the Twins on July 11, Wentz was put to work one day later in long relief. He delivered an excellent outing, tossing three no-hit innings while striking out six and issuing one walk. The veteran southpaw will open the second half as a member of the rotation, though he isn't stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload and could be piggybacked by Dane Dunning. Should Wentz's stay in the rotation prove to be temporary, Atlanta has prospects Nathan Wiles and Hurston Waldrep on hand at Triple-A Gwinnett as potential candidates to replace him.

Atlanta claimed Wentz off waivers Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz was designated for assignment by the Twins on Wednesday, and he'll get a fresh start. He replaces Kevin Herget on the 40-man roster. Wentz has appeared in 25 MLB games this season, 19 with Pittsburgh and six with Minnesota. He's posted a 6.88 ERA and a 28:20 K:BB across 34 total innings.

The Twins designated Wentz for assignment Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Minnesota claimed Wentz off waivers just under a month ago, and the southpaw was pummeled for 14 runs with a 6:9 K:BB over eight innings for the Twins. Fellow lefty Anthony Misiewicz was called up from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Wentz on the 40-man roster and in the big-league bullpen.

The Twins claimed Wentz off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz is out of minor-league options and will be added to the Twins' active roster prior to Thursday's game against the Rangers. He's posted a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB over 26 innings at the big-league level in 2025.

The Pirates designated Wentz for assignment Saturday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wentz has pitched in 19 games for the Pirates this season, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB over 26 innings. His last outing took place back on May 27, when he earned a win in relief by throwing 3.2 innings of one-run ball. Per Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com, both righty reliever Isaac Mattson and catcher Brett Sullivan have lockers in Pittsburgh's clubhouse Saturday, so it sounds like additional moves are forthcoming.