Povich (hip) made a rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, striking out six while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in five innings.

Povich made his third rehab appearance since he suffered a setback in his recovery from left hip inflammation in late June, and he was able to push up his pitch count to 70. The Orioles will need to add a sixth starter to the mix during the upcoming week, so Povich could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list to pitch in one half of a doubleheader next Tuesday with the Blue Jays.

Bradish (elbow) made his first rehab start with High-A Aberdeen on Thursday, striking out four while allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk in two innings.

Bradish made his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last June, tossing 37 pitches over his two-inning appearance. The 28-year-old right-hander encouragingly touched 97 miles per hour with his fastball and also generated seven whiffs. Fantasy managers can consider Bradish worthy of stashing in most formats -- the righty held a strong 2.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB over eight starts in 2024 before suffering the season-ending elbow injury -- but he's unlikely to rejoin Baltimore's rotation until mid-to-late August since he'll need several more rehab appearances to get stretched back out.

Olson (4-4) took the loss after throwing 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four, during Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

The normally reliable Olson faltered Thursday against the surging Blue Jays, allowing a season-high five runs in 5.2 innings of work. In particular, the home runs are what hurt the 25-year-old, as he surrendered two long balls this start after giving up only three entering the game all season. The right-hander's streak of nine straight starts allowing three runs or fewer is over, and he's scheduled to have a chance to restart that streak at home against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

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.