MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker said after Monday's 7-5 loss to the Athletics that Odorizzi dealt with a blister on his right middle finger prior to exiting the contest, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

According to Rome, Odorizzi first noticed the blister in the second inning and had the training staff pop it with a needle two innings later. The right-hander was forced to pitch through some discomfort and was ultimately lifted after giving up six earned runs over five innings en route to taking the loss. Baker said he's uncertain if the blister will affect Odorizzi's next turn through the rotation, which is tentatively set to come Sunday versus Seattle.

Syndergaard (5-8) took the loss against Kansas City on Monday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out six.

For five innings, Syndergaard and opposing starter Zack Greinke engaged in a scoreless duel, with each hurler giving up only one extra-base hit. Greinke departed before the sixth, but Syndergaard was allowed to continue in that frame, and he retired the first two batters he faced. However, the following three hitters all reached base -- two via single and one by walk -- and the one run Syndergaard allowed was enough to send him to defeat on a night when he got no run support from his offense. The veteran hurler has been the subject of trade rumors of late, and he could be a decent addition to a contending team's staff given his 3.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP on the campaign.

Greinke did not factor in the decision against the Angels on Monday despite pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five.

The outing was nearly a carbon copy of Greinke's start against Cleveland on July 10, when he posted the same line of five innings, three hits, one walk and five punchouts. However, the veteran hurler picked up a win in that contest while he had to settle for a no-decision Monday against his former club. Greinke had picked up a win or a loss in each of his previous seven appearances prior to this one, and he had won three of his past five outings. The right-hander owns a mediocre 4.35 ERA overall, but he's allowed one or zero runs in four of his past six starts.

Flexen (7-8) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings, earning the win Monday over the Rangers.

Flexen allowed a run to score on a wild pitch in the third inning and gave up a solo home run to Adolis Garcia in the sixth. In four starts in July, Flexen has yielded four runs in 22.1 innings while earning three wins. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last 11 starts, settling in to provide consistency in the middle of the Mariners' rotation. He has a 3.75 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 75:37 K:BB in 105.2 innings through 19 starts overall, and his next one is projected to be this weekend in Houston.

Odorizzi left Monday's start against the Athletics due to an undisclosed injury. He allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over five innings prior to his departure.

Odorizzi was visited by the team trainer twice over the course of his start, and he was unable to talk his way into staying in the game the second time. The nature of his injury is a mystery at this time.

Whitlock struck out two batters over two scoreless innings and earned a save over the Guardians on Monday.

Whitlock fired 15 of 19 pitches for strikes and had no trouble mowing down Cleveland's lineup. It was his second save of the year and first since April 19. In four appearances since returning from the injured list, Whitlock has punched out nine batters over six shutout frames. It's unclear how Boston plans to use its bullpen moving forward as John Schreiber earned the win and Tanner Houck did not pitch Monday.

Keuchel signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Keuchel will report to Triple-A Round Rock after opting for a minor-league deal. He didn't last long on the open market, as he was officially released by Arizona earlier in the day. The right-hander will attempt to prove he deserves another chance in the big leagues after posting an 8.53 ERA and 2.03 WHIP with a 38:27 K:BB over 50.2 frames earlier this season between the White Sox and Diamondbacks.

Junk will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to start Wednesday's game against Kansas City, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Junk's last appearance for the Angels lasted just one inning, tossing a scoreless frame while striking out one May 28 against the Blue Jays. The right-hander owns a 3.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 40:11 K:BB across 48.2 innings at Triple-A so far in 2022.

Hill (knee) will likely begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Hill threw a three-inning simulated game Friday and felt good a day after, so he'll likely return to game action with a minor-league affiliate this week. The left-hander has been on the injured list since July 2, and it's possible that he'll be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox after just one or two rehab starts.

Wacha (shoulder) threw live batting practice Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Wacha faced hitters Monday for the first time since landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation in early June. The right-hander is scheduled to face hitters once again Saturday before beginning a rehab assignment at some point afterward.