MLB Player News

Luzardo worked up to 63 pitches in his second start for Triple-A Las Vegas in a win over Salt Lake on Sunday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks over 3.1 innings while recording three strikeouts.

While the fact his arm continued getting stretched out is a positive, the reason Luzardo had to throw so many pitches in the first place was largely due to spotty control. The southpaw also surrendered a solo home run during his time on the mound after staying away from the long ball during his first appearance with Las Vegas on June 22, a potentially worrisome sign given Luzardo's 2.6 HR/9 across 38 innings at the big-league level this season.

Urquidy was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy was forced to leave his Tuesday start against Baltimore in the second inning after his velocity dropped as a result of the shoulder issue. The right-hander underwent an MRI earlier Wednesday, and the club should have a better understanding of the full severity of the injury once those results come in. The move to the IL will keep Urquidy on the shelf until at least July 10, but he may end up needing longer to recover.

Matz (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

The left-hander hasn't started since June 12 because he tested positive for COVID-19, and he'll rejoin the rotation after spending nearly three weeks on the shelf. Matz completed a 60-pitch live bullpen session Thursday and will be on an unspecified pitch count in his first start back.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Urquidy (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy was diagnosed with right shoulder discomfort after exiting his start in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles in the second inning, but the Astros still need to ascertain whether or not he's dealing with any structural damage. The team should gain more clarity on that front later Wednesday or Thursday. For now, Urquidy can be viewed as day-to-day ahead of his next scheduled start, which would likely come Tuesday at home versus the Athletics.

Bubic will start Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Bubic had taken on a bullpen role recently, and he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss in his most recent appearance. However, he'll take the mound to begin Wednesday's series finale against the Red Sox. The southpaw has posted a 6.67 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 29.2 innings across his last eight outings, but he could remain in the rotation after Thursday's start if he pitches well.

Kopech (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Kopech has been on the injured list with a strained left hamstring since late May. The right-hander most recently threw to hitters Monday, and he'll now rejoin the Chicago bullpen without going on a rehab assignment. Kopech posted a dazzling 1.72 ERA and 0.99 WHIP to go along with a 45:11 K:BB across 31.1 innings before the injury, and he should slot back in as one of the club's top relievers going forward.

The Orioles will select Watkins' contract from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Wednesday's game against the Astros, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Baltimore is in need of a fresh arm out of the bullpen for the series finale in Houston after starter Travis Lakins recorded just five outs in Tuesday's win before exiting with an elbow injury, so Watkins will move up to the big leagues to provide some reinforcement. The 28-year-old right-hander, who had considered retirement this offseason before signing a minor-league deal with Baltimore, will reach the majors for the first time in his career. He had been serving in a starting role for Norfolk, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB across 32.2 innings.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (elbow) looked "really good" while throwing a live batting-practice session Wednesday, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale faced hitters for the second time in less than a week, and based on Cora's observations, the veteran southpaw was sharper Wednesday than he was over the weekend. Per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, Cora said the most "eye-opening" aspect of Sale's throwing session was his improved command, an area pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery often struggle to regain in their initial throwing sessions. Sale, who sported a fastball that sat around 94 to 95 miles per hour, is scheduled to throw another live batting practice next week in Florida before the Red Sox send him out on a rehab assignment. He'll likely make four or five rehab outings before returning from the 60-day injured list, with a late-July or early August season debut looking like a real possibility for the 32-year-old.

Rodriguez has posted a 1.82 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB through five starts with Double-A Bowie.

The 21-year-old righty dominated across five starts in High-A before being promoted, and he hasn't missed a beat with the move to a higher level of competition. All in all, he's surrendered just nine runs in 10 minor-league starts this year with a 76:12 K:BB in 48.0 innings. Rodriguez's future looks extremely bright, though he probably won't make his MLB debut until next year.

Bieber (shoulder) isn't expected to resume throwing for a week or two, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Bieber underwent medical exams recently, and the team has been pleased with the results. However, he'll continue to rest in the near future in order to prevent a more serious issue. A better timetable for the right-hander's return could be revealed once he's cleared to begin a throwing program.