Alexander is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to start Thursday against the Athletics in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

With Lance McCullers (finger) landing on the 15-day injured list, Alexander will be brought up from Triple-A to fill the opening in the Houston rotation. The 32-year-old right-hander has excelled over eight appearances (seven starts) with Sugar Land this season, notching a 1.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB across 42.2 innings. However, he hasn't had as much success in the majors, posting an 8.40 ERA across 15 innings between the Athletics and Astros. With a respectable showing Thursday, Alexander could be in store for additional turns through the rotation until Houston gets one or two of McCullers, Cristian Javier (elbow), Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) back from the IL.

Melton (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering six runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings as the Tigers were downed 6-1 by the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Called up earlier in the day to make his MLB debut, Melton flashed some of the strikeout stuff that earned him a promotion, but the 24-year-old right-hander also served up two homers, including a second-inning grand slam by Spencer Horwitz. Detroit's rotation plans are a bit chaotic right now, as the Tigers don't get a day off until July 31 while Tarik Skubal (personal) is currently away from the team for the birth of his child, so it's not clear if Melton will get a further audition after this performance.

Eovaldi (back) will start for the Rangers on Friday against Atlanta, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi had to be scratched from his last scheduled outing this past weekend due to back tightness, but he's bounced back since then and has been cleared to rejoin the rotation. The veteran right-hander will be pitching on 11 days rest, as his last start came in the final game before the All-Star break July 13 in Houston

The Rangers activated Gray (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Gray has been sidelined all season after suffering a fractured right forearm during spring training. According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers plan to deploy Gray as a reliever, perhaps filling the setup role vacated by the injured Chris Martin (calf). Gray allowed three runs with an 8:2 K:BB over 8.2 rehab innings and threw 61 pitches in his last outing, so he's stretched out enough to make multi-inning appearances. However, the Rangers' preference may be to use him in shorter, high-leverage situations initially.

The Orioles optioned Young to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

The move comes one day after Young allowed three runs over 4.1 innings in his start in the Orioles' loss to the Guardians. Young has produced an ugly 7.77 ERA in five starts with the Orioles, but he could get another opportunity next week during Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Blue Jays.

The Orioles activated Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Eflin will rejoin the Orioles rotation Wednesday with a start against the Guardians after being sidelined nearly a month due to lower-back discomfort. The veteran right-hander threw 68 pitches over four innings in his final rehab outing in the rookie-level Florida Complex League last Friday, so Eflin will be somewhat limited from a workload perspective Wednesday.

Gusto has made his last three appearances for the Astros as a reliever, covering 6.1 innings in total while allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five.

Gusto has made 12 starts for Houston this season and had been a fixture in the rotation since late May, but the Astros transitioned him to the bullpen shortly before the All-Star break. In Houston's final series of the first half, Gusto came on in long relief July 11 following a short start by Lance McCullers, and he made a pair of one-inning appearances in last weekend's series in Seattle. McCullers has since been placed on the injured list due to a blister on his right hand, so Gusto could be needed once again to plug one of the holes in the rotation. Houston is listing Hunter Brown and Colton Gordon as its starters for the final two games of its upcoming four-game series with the Athletics, but Gusto could be called upon to start or work in bulk relief Thursday or Friday.

Rosario (elbow) had not had surgery yet as of April, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

There are plenty of rumors circulating online that Rosario still hasn't had the procedure, which was recommended in February. Even if Rosario had the procedure in July, he could potentially miss the entire 2026 season. Rosario was trending toward being a top-five pitching prospect at the time of his injury, so he's still worth stashing in most dynasty leagues, but it's a mystery as to when we'll see him healthy and pitching in games again.

The Twins placed Festa on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation.

Festa struggled in his most recent start Monday against the Dodgers, allowing three home runs and four runs over 5.1 innings. It's not clear, however, whether his shoulder was bothering him during the outing. The right-hander will be eligible for activation Aug. 6, but the Twins won't have a clear idea regarding when he might return until he starts throwing again.

Urquidy (elbow) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday at the Tigers' spring facility in Lakeland, Fla., Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Urquidy faced hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024. The right-hander will need to face hitters on several more occasions before the Tigers send him out on what will most likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. Urquidy is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until around mid-to-late August.