MLB Player News

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Lyles (illness) could be ready to rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series with Boston, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Just one day earlier, Hyde said that Lyles, who was scratched ahead of his start during Monday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays, was without a clear timeline to return. That notion was seemingly supported by the Orioles announcing three other pitchers as their probable starters this weekend, but Baltimore changed those plans Wednesday, when Spenser Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Watkins' demotion seemingly signals more confidence in the health of Lyles, who is still working through a stomach virus but felt well enough to rejoin the Orioles on Wednesday. Lyles could try to throw again Thursday, and if all goes well, he could be cleared to start Saturday, which had been Watkins' day to pitch.

Verlander (calf) threw off the slope of a mound Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander hasn't yet been cleared to toe the rubber, but he said Wednesday that he hopes to throw a light bullpen session in the next few days. He doesn't yet have a timetable to return from the injured list but said that he's progressing as expected in his recovery from a right calf injury.

Greinke (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Wednesday's start against Cleveland.

Greinke will return to action for Wednesday's series finale against the Guardians after missing two and a half weeks due to right forearm tightness. The right-hander has been relatively effective since the All-Star break, posting a 2.90 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 31 innings over six starts.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli confirmed that Gray (hamstring) will start Thursday's series finale against the Yankees, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Yankee Stadium was often a house of horrors for Gray during his time with New York in 2017 and 2018, but he won't be pushed off the road start against his former team after he checked out fine following his bullpen session Tuesday. Gray departed from his most recent start last Friday against the White Sox due to a tight right hamstring, but he shouldn't face any restrictions with his pitch count when he takes the mound Thursday.

Ragans (calf) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's start against the Astros.

Ragans landed on the IL in late August due to a left calf strain, but his injury wasn't considered serious, and he'll rejoin the Rangers' rotation following a relatively brief absence. Over his first four major-league starts, the 24-year-old has posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 18.1 innings.

Detmers is scheduled to make his next start Monday in Cleveland, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels had previously confirmed Detmers as their starting pitcher for Sunday's series finale in Houston, but the young southpaw will be bumped back a day in the schedule as a matter of maintenance in his first full season in the big leagues. Additionally, Detmers has already faced Houston three times this season, so the Angels may have wanted to spare him from another potential blowup after he surrendered four runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings his last time out against the Astros on Sept. 2.

Bubic (2-11) allowed three runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batter while striking out four over 6.1 innings to take the loss versus the Guardians on Tuesday.

Bubic turned in his second straight quality start, but it wasn't enough to outduel Shane Bieber. The defeated extended Bubic's losing streak to five starts, and he's gone eight outings since his last win, posting a 5.19 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 43.1 innings in the longer span. For the season, the southpaw has similar numbers with a 5.40 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 88:54 K:BB through 111.2 innings through 24 outings (23 starts). Bubic is lined up for a road start versus the Twins next week, assuming he remains in the rotation over Max Castillo once Zack Greinke (forearm) returns from the injured list.

Bieber (9-8) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over eight innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Royals.

Bieber limited the damage to a Salvador Perez solo shot in the fourth inning. This matched Bieber's second-longest outing of the season, and he's now allowed one earned run in three of his last four starts. The Guardians' ace trimmed his ERA to 2.96 with a 1.06 WHIP and 171:34 K:BB through 167 innings over 26 starts this year. He's lined up for a road start this weekend against the Twins if Cleveland takes advantage of Thursday's off day to get by with a four-man rotation this week.

Kopech (knee) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's start against the Mariners.

Kopech dealt with a knee strain over the last few weeks but threw bullpen sessions Friday and Sunday and has officially been cleared to return following a minimal stay on the injured list. Because Kopech didn't get fully ramped up while he was on the shelf, acting manager Miguel Cairo said the right-hander will likely be limited to around 75-to-80 pitches or five innings in Wednesday's start, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Over his five starts prior to his absence, Kopech posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 22.1 innings.

Varland's contract was selected from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as the 29th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Varland will make his major-league debut as the starter during Wednesday's matinee against the Yankees after he posted a strong 1.69 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 21.1 innings over four starts at St. Paul over the last month. If his success translates to the major-league level, it's possible the 24-year-old will be able to secure a role with the Twins over the final month of the regular season.