MLB Player News

Kopech (hamstring) is expected to throw another bullpen Wednesday and a simulated game Friday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Manager Tony La Russa said the team will "see where he's at" after Friday's simulated game. While the team hasn't yet given a date for his return, Kopech appears to be nearing that point as his throwing progression continues.

Kopech (hamstring) threw a flat-ground session and a bullpen Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The righty has now thrown multiple bullpens in the past week and appears to be nearing a return to game action, be that with the White Sox or with the Triple-A club on a rehab assignment. It remains unclear when exactly Kopech will be activated from the injured list.

Javier struck out two over two perfect relief innings in Monday's 10-2 win over Baltimore.

Javier has been used as a multi-inning reliever since he was the odd-man out of the rotation in late May and has performed well in that role. He's recorded a 2.40 ERA and 0.87 WHIP while striking out 17 over 15 innings. Javier has been insurance for returning starters, serving as a bulk reliever. As those starters get deeper into games, there could be a role for Javier as a traditional high-leverage reliever, something Houston has been missing in 2021. His four-seamer, which has averaged 93 mph this season, averaged 95.6 mph Monday after he threw just 39 pitches since June 9.

Odorizzi (2-3) picked up the win Monday against Baltimore, striking out nine and walking one while allowing no hits across five innings.

Odorizzi wasn't fully stretched out for the Monday start, as he threw just 55 pitches in his previous appearance, which came in relief last Tuesday against the Rangers. If the right-hander had have been able to go deeper in the game, he could have been headed for a special night, with him clearly having his strikeout stuff as the Orioles failed to record a hit on any of his 86 pitches (55 strikes). The Astros are planning to utilize a six-man rotation for the foreseeable future, so Odorizzi figures to take the ball Sunday in Detroit, where he'll look to be able to produce a longer outing.

Gibson (5-0) gave up two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings Monday, striking out three and earning a win over Oakland.

It wasn't Gibson's sharpest outing but he managed to pick up his second win of the month, largely due to his offense's five-run outburst in the first inning. He held Oakland off the board until coughing up a solo shot to Sean Murphy in the fifth. It was Gibson's seventh straight start throwing at least five innings and allowing two or fewer runs, lowering his season ERA to 2.17. The 33-year-old is projected to face the Royals at home this weekend.

Civale will see a hand specialist in the coming days after he exited Monday's start against the Cubs due to an apparent issue with his right middle finger, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Civale exited with two outs in the fifth inning, keeping the Cubs off the board during his time on the mound while striking out five and giving up three hits and two walks. Cleveland should have a better understanding of the severity of the issue following the right-hander's visit with the hand specialist, at which point the team should be able to determine the next steps for Civale and the starting rotation. The club is already without its top two starters in Shane Bieber (shoulder) and Zach Plesac (thumb), the latter whom has only recently resumed a throwing program.

Montas (7-7) allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings Monday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Rangers.

Texas got to Montas right out of the gate, tacking on five runs in the first inning, including a three-run homer by Andy Ibanez. He settled in for four scoreless innings before he ran into trouble again in the sixth, giving up another three-run shot, this time by Jose Trevino. It was the third time that Montas has allowed six or more runs in a start this season, raising his season ERA to 4.79. He's 2-5 with a 4.65 ERA over his last seven outings. Montas is lined up to face the Giants on the road this weekend.

Lyles will not start Tuesday's game against the Athletics as previously expected, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

Taylor Hearn will start on the mound instead in what figures to be some form of a bullpen game for the Rangers. Manager Chris Woodward cited giving Lyles a rest as the main reason for the change, though he also noted that the right-hander's struggles this season also played a factor. Lyles, who holds a subpar 5.68 ERA on the campaign, will be available out of the bullpen Tuesday, though it's not clear if the plan is for him to provide length immediately after Hearn departs.

Civale exited Monday's start against the Cubs with two outs in the fifth inning due to an apparent issue with his middle finger, Travis Sawchik of theScore reports. He did not allow a run while yielding three hits and a walk, punching out five.

It's not entirely clear why Civale was forced to exit just one out before qualifying for his 11th win, but the issue is thought to be with his middle finger on his pitching hand. Cleveland will likely provide further update in the near future, and Civale can be considered questionable to make his next start over the weekend in Minnesota.

Luzardo will be optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Luzardo joined the bullpen after he returned from the injured list in late May, and he sputtered to a 9.90 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 10 innings during that time. He'll attempt to sort things out in the minors but could be an option to return to the Athletics as a starter or as a reliever later this year. Right-hander Domingo Acevedo will be called up in a corresponding move Monday.