MLB Player News

Clevinger (biceps) is slated for a three-up, three-down bullpen session Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It will come after a successful bullpen session Sunday during which Clevinger said it's the hardest he's throwing in a 'pen session since spring training. While it's unclear whether he will require a rehab assignment first, Clevinger appears to be trending in the right direction. He's been out since mid-June with right biceps inflammation.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that the team remains hopeful Gausman (side) can make a start this weekend in Seattle, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gausman had to be scratched from his last scheduled outing Saturday against the Diamondbacks due to left side discomfort, but he is feeling better and moving in a positive direction. As things stand right now, the right-hander is expected to avoid the injured list and could take the ball as soon as Friday.

Ryu (elbow) is slated to throw at least 80 pitches with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday in what is expected to be his final rehab start, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ryu's fastball has sat in the 87-88 mph range during his first three rehab outings, which is down just a bit from what he was throwing pre-Tommy John surgery. The Blue Jays aren't concerned about the southpaw's velocity, though, and they expect it to tick back up. Ryu has permitted just two runs with an 11:0 K:BB across 12 innings in his first three rehab starts. He's a good stash in leagues where he's still available.

Allen was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

The left-hander will make his return to the Guardians' rotation Tuesday against the Pirates, taking the rotation spot vacated by Shane Bieber (elbow). Allen pitched well in his first go-round in the big leagues earlier this season, collecting a 3.47 ERA and 63:24 K:BB over 62.1 innings of work covering 12 starts. The southpaw went just three innings in each of his two starts after being sent back to Columbus, so he might not be ready for a full workload in Pittsburgh.

Kent (oblique) made a rehab start Saturday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, giving up no hits and one walk over two scoreless innings while striking out four.

After tossing three scoreless innings in his season debut for Triple-A Round Rock on April 4, Kent was shut down for more than three months with what was apparently a significant oblique strain. The 25-year-old right-hander is now in the process of getting stretched back out again, and he may only need one or two more starts in the lower levels of the minors before setting back into the Round Rock rotation.

Means (elbow/back) threw another bullpen session Tuesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Means hit a bump in the road in his recovery from Tommy John surgery when he suffered a muscle strain in his upper back in late May. However, he began throwing off flat ground last month and resumed mound work last week. The southpaw hopes to become an option for the Orioles sometime in August, but there remains no clear timetable for his activation.

Porter has walked 16 batters in his last 18.2 innings across six starts for Single-A Down East. He has a 2.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 49 innings on the season.

The big 6-foot-4 righty has been averaging six days off between starts, yet his control seems to have worsened as the season has gone on. Porter had a 0.53 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 45:15 K:BB in 33.2 innings in nine starts from mid-April through early-June and a 5.30 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in his last six starts.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said in an interview on SportsTalk 790 in Houston on Tuesday that he's unsure whether Valdez (calf) will be ready for his next scheduled start Friday in Oakland.

Valdez had to exit his last start Saturday versus the Angels due to a left calf cramp. The decision for the left-hander to take the ball Friday likely will be determined based on whether he can get through his normal between-starts bullpen session with no issues. Valdez tied a career high with 13 strikeouts against the Angels before the injury.

Keller (shoulder) retired just one batter and allowed six earned runs on four hits and three walks in his latest rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Omaha.

Keller has now made six appearances for Omaha, but he may not be any closer to being activated from the 15-day injured list than when he first started the assignment June 28. He's been roughed up in each of his last three outings, recording five outs in total during that span while surrendering 13 runs (11 earned) on seven hits and eight walks. Though Keller had been a member of the Kansas City rotation prior to landing on the IL on May 19 with right shoulder impingement syndrome, he may be ticketed for the bullpen once he's reinstated. He's worked in relief in four of his six rehab appearances, including each of the last three.

Houck (face) plans to try to throw off a mound around July 25, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander resumed throwing on flat ground earlier this month following successful surgery to repair a facial fracture -- the result of a comebacker to the face against the Yankees on June 16. "He feels good," manager Alex Cora said last week. "He's been able to do his workouts, keeping his arm moving, which is the most important thing." Houck was showing real promise as a starter before the injury, with his strikeout and walk rates portending better results. He figures to be back in the rotation when ready.