MLB Player News

Gausman left the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays with a right ankle contusion, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

X-rays were negative, so Blue Jays fans and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief. Gausman went down and stayed down for several minutes after taking a comebacker off his ankle in the second inning of Saturday's matinee. It's still possible he could miss a start or end up on the injured list, but it does not sound like Gausman is in line for an extended absence.

Watkins allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six innings, taking a no-decision versus the Twins on Friday.

Watkins allowed an RBI single in a sloppy first inning, but he was able to settle down and submit five perfect frames after that. It was the first time he's completed six innings this year, though he wasn't in line for the win as he left with the score tied at 1-1. The right-hander has a 4.61 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 23:17 K:BB through 10 starts overall, but he's allowed only two runs (one earned) with eight hits, two walks and nine strikeouts since rejoining the rotation in place of Kyle Bradish (shoulder). Watkins has pitched well enough to maintain his place in the rotation, so it's likely to be Austin Voth who moves to the bullpen once Bradish is ready to return.

Gausman exited the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays after being hit in the ankle by a comebacker in the top of the second inning, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Gausman allowed four hits and a walk while striking out three in two scoreless innings to begin Saturday's matinee, but he was hit by a comebacker in the top of the second inning. He remained down for several minutes but was ultimately able to walk off the field under his own power. The right-hander will presumably undergo further testing before the Blue Jays determine whether he'll need to miss additional time.

Astros manager Dusty Baker hinted Saturday that Odorizzi (lower leg) could be part of a six-man rotation if the right-hander returns from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

While Odorizzi has been sidelined since mid-May with strains and sprains to the ligaments of his right foot and ankle, Cristian Javier has stepped into the Houston rotation. Javier appears to have solidified himself as a full-time member of the rotation after allowing just one hit and striking out 27 over 14 innings between his past two starts, but Odorizzi doesn't look as though he'll be on the outs for a starting role. The 32-year-old fared well in his second rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Corpus Christi, striking out six over five scoreless frames while allowing three hits and no walks. He tossed 78 pitches in that outing, so he should be stretched out enough to make his return to the Houston rotation at some point during the four-game home series with Kansas City that begins Monday.

Singer, who initially scheduled to start Saturday's game in Detroit, will instead take the hill for Sunday's series finale, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Kris Bubic will pick up his second start of the week Saturday before Singer returns to the mound Sunday on six days' rest. The Royals likely just wanted to extend Singer some extra recovery time after he tossed a season-high 8.1 innings and 99 pitches in his most recent outing June 26 against the Athletics.

Rasmussen (hamstring) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Toronto.

Although Rasmussen is technically serving as the 27th man for Saturday's twin bill, he should remain in the Rays' rotation now that he's recovered from his left hamstring strain. The right-hander didn't require a rehab assignment prior to being activated, so it's possible that he's on a slight pitch count after missing two and a half weeks.

Javier (6-3) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on one hit and zero walks over seven innings in an 8-1 victory over the Angels. He struck out 14.

After throwing seven no-hit innings and fanning 13 against the Yankees last weekend, Javier followed up with a similarly dominant showing. He got 20 called strikes and 23 swinging strikes on 99 pitches. The right-hander just turned in perhaps the best two-start stretch of the Modern Era, and he now has a 2.58 ERA and 0.96 WHIP for the season (69.2 innings). Javier lines up for a home start against the Royals next week.

Lynn allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Giants.

Lynn has had mixed results since making his season debut June 13, but Friday's start was an impressive one. The right-hander threw 63 of 104 pitches for strikes in a duel with Giants starter Alex Cobb. The White Sox ultimately won 1-0 after scoring in the ninth inning. Lynn has a 4.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB through 22 innings in his four starts this year. He still has a 1-1 record, which he'll look to improve upon in a projected home start versus the Twins next week.

Kaprielian (1-5) allowed a run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings Friday, earning the win over the Mariners.

Kaprielian gave up a run on a groundout in the sixth inning, which accounted for all of the damage on his line. It's been a difficult season for the right-hander -- this was the first time he's completed six innings, and only the second time he's limited an opponent to one run or less. He still has a rough 5.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 40:27 K:BB across 58 innings in 12 starts. Kaprielian will look to build off this positive outing next week against the Blue Jays.

Gonzales (4-9) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Gonzales pitched fairly well in his fourth straight quality start, but the Mariners' bats couldn't give him much help. The southpaw gave up RBI singles in the fifth and sixth innings. This was the second time in eight starts he was able to keep the ball in the yard. Gonzales owns a 3.29 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 49:32 K:BB across 87.2 innings in 16 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.