MLB Player News

Valdez (finger) may not take the ball for Monday's start against the Angels, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It was previously reported that Valdez was in line to start Monday after being scratched from his Thursday start, but manager Dusty Baker did not commit to that plan when asked Friday. That being said, so long as the left-hander comes out of Friday's throwing session with no problems, he should be good to toe the rubber in Monday's series opener.

Manager Aaron Boone said Severino (shoulder) looked "really sharp" during Friday's two-inning live batting practice session, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

It's the first time since his rehab assignment was halted in mid-August that Severino has faced live hitters, and he'll likely require another session or two, at least, before being activated from the injured list. The 27-year-old is poised to fill a bullpen role for the Yankees upon his return.

Berrios (abdomen) will start with no restrictions Sunday against the Twins, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Berrios has felt good the past few days after dealing with left abdominal tightness during Tuesday's outing, so he'll remain on a five-day schedule and take the mound Sunday. The right-hander has a 1.98 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 30:2 K:BB in 27.1 innings across his past four starts, and he'll attempt to continue that strong form versus last-place Minnesota.

Houck will be available out of the bullpen as early as Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Houck made his previous start Wednesday and gave up three runs on three hits with seven strikeouts and four walks over 4.1 innings, and he'll move to a relief role since the Red Sox won't require a fifth starter until Oct. 2, which is the penultimate game of the regular season. The 25-year-old has a 3.75 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 70:16 K:BB across 57.2 major-league innings this season, and he figures to play a significant role for Boston down the stretch, even though he's not expected to start.

Sale (illness) will be activated from the COVID-19 injured list to start Friday against the Orioles, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

As expected, Sale will rejoin the rotation Friday after testing positive for COVID-19 and missing the past week. Per Koch, manager Alex Cora said the veteran left-hander won't have any specific limitations following the brief absence, and he'll be available to pitch on a regular five-day schedule the rest of the season.

Schmidt was recalled by the Yankees on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Schmidt has made one major-league appearance this season, giving up five runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings in a start against the Mets on Sunday. He's expected to fill a bullpen role this time around.

Albers was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Albers allowed three runs in 2.2 innings Wednesday and now has a bloated 7.58 ERA in 19 innings this season. Injuries or other developments could demand his return to the big-league staff in the next couple weeks, but he isn't likely to provide fantasy value.

Singer was placed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons prior to his scheduled start Friday against the Mariners.

The absence of an injury designation suggests it could be a COVID-related move, but there's been no indication of that. Singer gave up six runs on five home runs in his last start Saturday, raising his ERA to 4.85 and his WHIP to 1.56 on the season. Jon Heasley was selected from Double-A Northwest Arkansas and may start in Singer's stead.

Garcia (11-7) got the win in Thursday's 12-1 defeat of the Rangers, allowing one run on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Garcia was able to navigate some traffic on the bases in the second and third innings and bide some time until Houston broke out with seven runs in the fourth. It was a nice rebound performance from the young righty after he surrendered four runs in a loss his last turn, though his two whiffs are a season low for any appearance lasting at least four innings. He's totaled just 10 strikeouts over his last three starts after averaging six per game prior to the recent stretch.

Bielak will draw a spot start Friday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros had to scratch Framber Valdez (finger) from Thursday's start, so the team is shuffling its rotation as a result. Bielak has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen to this point in the season, though he has completed three innings in each of his last two outings. Even so, it's unlikely he'll be able to work deep enough into the contest to qualify for a win.