Lauer (6-2) picked up the win after throwing eight innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out six, during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

Facing one of the league's top offenses, Lauer delivered his best start of the season. His longest start prior to Thursday was six innings, but he bested that by two frames and allowed just one run in the process. Since the 30-year-old has been stretched back out to being a starter, he's been one of the Blue Jays more reliable options, not allowing more than three runs in an appearance all season. His ERA sits at 2.61 with 71 strikeouts over 69 innings, with his next appearance scheduled to be on the road at Baltimore.

Allen (6-9) took the loss after throwing 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out four, during Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles.

Allen's streak of seven straight starts without allowing more than three earned runs is over after allowing four runs Thursday. The left-hander has gotten some tough results lately, sporting a 1-5 record in his last six starts despite a decent 4.08 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 35.1 innings. The 26-year-old is slated to take the mound next against the Rockies at home.

Morton (6-8) earned the win after throwing 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven, during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Morton rebounded from allowing a season-high seven runs in his previous start by delivering his fifth quality start of the season. The 41-year-old struggled a bit with his control, walking four batters, but battled through it to match his longest start of the season. The veteran right-hander has an unsightly 5.48 ERA on the season, but he has allowed more than three earned runs only twice in his last 17 outings. Morton's next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Blue Jays, but with the trade deadline approaching, that could be subject to change.

Gusto will start Friday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Lance McCullers (blister) going to the 15-day injured list Tuesday, the Astros will turn to Gusto to fill the opening in their six-man rotation. Gusto had appeared out of the bullpen in each of his last three appearances, but he's made 12 starts this season and covered six innings back on July 6. He'll be taking the hill Friday on four days' rest and isn't expected to face any major workload restrictions.

Javier (elbow) will make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier made his first two rehab appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Double-A Corpus Christi. After tossing 1.1 innings in the FCL on July 12, Javier built up to three innings in his most recent outing for Corpus Christi last Friday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. He'll likely push up his pitch count Thursday and will presumably need at least one or two minor-league starts after that before he makes his return from the 60-day injured list.

Manoah (elbow) will pitch a simulated game Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Single-A Dunedin is on the road Saturday, so the Blue Jays are opting for a simulated game in which they can control Manoah's pitch count instead. The right-hander should be ready to return to full capacity by the end of August or early September.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Alexander will draw the start in Thursday's home game against the Athletics, and he could earn additional starts with the big club as the Astros navigate a myriad rotation injuries. The 32-year-old's other start for Houston this season also came against the Athletics, and he held them to two runs in six frames. However, the journeyman righty isn't a great bet to put up another quality start Thursday.

The Rays optioned Bradley to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Bradley has really struggled with consistency this season, most recently following up six shutout innings against the Orioles in his first start of the second half with a dud versus the White Sox on Wednesday, when he yielded four runs over just 1.2 frames. Overall, Bradley holds a 4.61 ERA across 21 starts, and his strikeout rate has dropped all the way to 20.2 percent. He'll try to get back on track at Durham and could receive another opportunity later this season. Joe Boyle is the likeliest option to take Bradley's spot in the Rays' rotation.

High-A Asheville placed Brito on its 7-day injured list June 25 due to an unspecified injury.

Before spending the past month on the shelf, Brito had emerged as one of the more exciting arms in the lower levels of the Houston system. The hard-throwing righty had accrued a 3.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB in 49.1 innings over his 12 starts with Asheville.

Bieber (elbow) is expected to throw around 55 pitches Sunday in his next scheduled rehab start, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The Guardians have yet to determine which affiliate Bieber will join for what will be the third start of his current rehab assignment, but High-A Lake County and Triple-A Columbus are his most likely destinations since both will be hosting games. In his latest outing for Lake County on Tuesday, Bieber spotted 30 of his 43 pitches for strikes while punching out four and allowing one earned run in three innings. After Sunday's start, Bieber will likely make at least two more appearances in the minors before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list in early or mid-August.