MLB Player News

Armstrong will make his first career MLB start Saturday against the Indians after Andrew Cashner (undisclosed) was scratched, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Armstrong has made 77 appearances, all in relief, so don't look for him to log more than a couple innings. This will amount to a bullpen game.

Axford (elbow) is throwing long toss without issue, Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com reports.

Axford has been ramping up his throwing program this month, and it seems everything is going to plan so far. His next step will be throwing from a mound, but it remains to be seen when that will happen.

Carasiti served as the opener in an extra-inning loss to the Astros on Friday and allowed two hits over a scoreless first inning. He also recorded a strikeout.

Carasiti worked up to 24 pitches due to allowing a couple of singles in the opening frame, but he ultimately escaped by coaxing an inning-ending popup from Yuli Gurriel. The right-hander has now contributed a trio of scoreless efforts since being called up last Sunday, and he'll likely shuttle between opener and traditional reliever during his stay with the big-league club.

Johnson, who was placed on the injured list Saturday, is dealing with an intestinal issue but is expected to make a full recovery, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

This was labeled as a non-baseball medical matter when he was first placed on the IL. Johnson should be considered out indefinitely, although the Red Sox say he should be able to return at some point this season. Hector Velazquez could step into Johnson's role as a spot starter.

McHugh is not being considered for a spot start next Tuesday when the Astros need a fill-in for the injured Brad Peacock (shoulder), Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh is nowhere near being stretched out enough to get deep into a game. The starter-turned-reliever, who just finished a stint on the injured list, has not pitched more than two innings since May 7.

Johnson was placed on the 10-day injured list with a non-baseball-related medical matter, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

He has not pitched since June 22 and will now be out indefinitely with this undisclosed issue. The Red Sox say he is expected to return at some point this season. Hector Velazquez (back) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Colome pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn a save in a 6-4 victory against the Twins on Friday.

The White Sox closer didn't start the ninth, but after the Twins scored two runs on a homer to pull within two, Chicago turned to Colome. He struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches and then needed just seven pitches to retire the next two hitters. Colome is 17-for-18 in save opportunities with a 2.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 32 innings this season.

Banda (elbow) allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk over an inning-plus for the GCL Rays on Friday. He also recorded a strikeout.

Banda fired eight of his 13 pitches for strikes in what was his second rehab appearance. The left-hander was removed after facing one batter in the second inning and actually threw 12 fewer pitches than he had in his first rehab outing with High-A Charlotte on Sunday. Banda is slated to continue pitching at different levels of the minors for the duration of his recovery from May 2018 Tommy John surgery.

Norris' left Friday's start against the Nationals with groin cramping in addition to a finger injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

There was a picture circulating of a trail of blood running down Norris' left thumb, but he also suffered a groin injury during a collision at first base early in the game. He gave up two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three in five innings (77 pitches). Consider him questionable for his scheduled start Wednesday against the White Sox.

Soto will be recalled to start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old lefty has a 7.52 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB in 20.1 innings (five appearances) at Triple-A. He should be able to stick in the big-league rotation for one more turn before the All-Star break, but he is a low-end fantasy option regardless of the format.