MLB Player News

Javier was optioned to the alternate training site after Saturday's loss to the A's, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

The right-hander delivered five scoreless frames in his second start of the season Thursday, but he'll head to the alternate site since Houston has three scheduled days off in the next nine days. Javier will remain built up as a starter and should rejoin the rotation when the Astros next need a fifth starter during the series against the Angels, which begins April 22.

Kikuchi gave up two runs on five hits and two walks during Saturday's extra-inning win over the Twins. He had six strikeouts and did not factor in the decision.

The 29-year-old wasn't able to replicate the 10 strikeouts from his season debut, but he kept Minnesota off the board apart from a two-run homer by Nelson Cruz during the third inning. Kikuchi has allowed five runs on 11 hits with a 16:3 K:BB over 12 innings through his first two starts of 2021, and he next lines up to face the Astros on Friday.

German was optioned to the Yankees' alternate training site Saturday.

German was charged with his second loss of the season Saturday as he allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five in four innings against the Rays. The Yankees aren't in need of a fifth starter in the near future since they have two upcoming days off, so German will get to work on things at the team's alternate camp following an underwhelming start to the 2021 campaign.

Teheran has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, retroactive to April 7.

Teheran was scratched from his scheduled start against Cleveland on Friday due to triceps tightness, and he's now been diagnosed with a shoulder strain that will force him to miss additional time. Alex Lange was recalled by the Tigers in a corresponding move. Derek Holland could fill in as a starter while Teheran is sidelined.

Cease will start Sunday's game against the Royals, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Cease was scheduled to start Saturday's matchup before it was rained out, but he'll end up taking the mound one day later for Sunday's series finale. Cease allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in 4.2 innings during his season debut against the Angels on Sunday.

Cease and the White Sox won't play against the Royals on Saturday since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Cease was lined up to make his second start of the season Saturday after he allowed three runs in 4.2 innings during his 2021 debut Sunday. The White Sox haven't yet announced who will take the mound for Sunday's series finale against Kansas City, although Cease could be an option since the game was postponed several hours before the scheduled first pitch.

Arihara (0-1) took his first loss of the season Friday against the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out a batter over four innings.

Arihara had a smooth first inning but ran into trouble thereafter, as he allowed two runs in the second and an additional one in the third on a pair of extra-base hits and a sacrifice fly. The 28-year-old has been capped at 73 pitches in each of his first two outings, meaning he typically won't go deep enough into the game to earn a win. The Rangers haven't given him much run support, as they were victims of the first no-hitter in Padres history Friday night, but Arihara hasn't been particularly impressive either, giving up 11 hits and five earned runs in nine innings while striking out just two batters. He'll take the bump again versus the Rays on Wednesday.

McCullers tossed five innings against Oakland on Friday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.

McCullers made one mistake in the contest, serving up a long ball to Jed Lowrie in the fourth inning. The right-hander was also a bit wild, issuing three walks and hitting one batter, but he kept the A's from scoring any additional runs by limiting them to two overall hits. Through two contests, McCullers has posted a 1.80 ERA and 13:6 K:BB across 10.0 innings. He'll head to Seattle to face the Mariners for his third start next Friday.

Heaney (1-1) earned the win Friday versus the Blue Jays, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six scoreless innings.

Heaney had a tough season debut against the White Sox, giving up seven runs in three innings, but he rebounded with a much better second start as he allowed only three runners to get past first base. The southpaw has posted a 13:4 K:BB across nine innings this season. Heaney is expected to face the Twins next Friday but could instead see the Royals earlier in the week, depending on the pitching availability of Shohei Ohtani (finger).

Teheran was scratched from Friday's start against Cleveland due to triceps tightness.

Teheran went through his pre-game throwing program Friday, but he was shut down as a precautionary measure due to a triceps issue. The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but left-hander Derek Holland will start in his place against Cleveland.