MLB Player News

Javier won't start during the two-game series against the Dodgers this weekend, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros will opt to readjust their starting rotation thanks to Friday's scheduled off day, putting Framber Valdez and Zack Greinke on the mound in Los Angeles. Javier has a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB through 42.2 innings and should receive his next start sometime next week.

Verlander (forearm) is throwing 50-to-55 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander remains without an official timeline for his return, but the fact he's already throwing 50-plus pitches off the mound is an encouraging sign for his recovery. Verlander likely will need to face live batters before being cleared to rejoin the active roster, but it appears he'll be able to return to the club within the next couple weeks.

Manager Brandon Hyde hopes Cobb (undisclosed) will return from the injured list by the end of the week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The veteran right-hander was a late scratch for his scheduled start last Friday due to the unspecified issue, but the potential for a quick return from the injured list likely means it's related to the league's protocols for issues involving exposure to COVID-19. The Orioles have confirmed their starting pitchers through Thursday, so Cobb could be reinstated to start as early as Friday against the Yankees.

Paxton (forearm) threw off flat ground again Wednesday but won't be ready for mound work until this weekend at the earliest, Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated reports.

The veteran lefty is working his way back from the flexor strain he suffered in late August. Time is getting quite tight for him to return before the end of the regular season. If he returns as a starter, it will likely be for just one or two very brief outings.

Keuchel (back) will not make his scheduled start this weekend against Detroit, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox are reportedly not overly concerned about the lower-back stiffness that forced the veteran lefty to leave his previous start against the Royals early Sunday, but they'll skip his next turn just to be safe. He's expected to be ready to pitch at some point during next week's series against the Twins, which runs from Monday through Thursday. The team hasn't announced who will make a spot start in his absence.

Boyd (1-6) took the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and four walks over three innings Wednesday against the Brewers.

The left-hander had a 2.60 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in his previous three starts entering Wednesday, but he found minimal success against the Brewers. Boyd has a 7.63 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 43.2 innings, and he'll try to turn the page next week against the Royals.

The Athletics optioned Kaprielian to their alternate training site Wednesday.

Oakland called Kaprielian up from the alternate site to serve as the 29th man in Tuesday's doubleheader with the Astros, but he went unused in both contests. He could rejoin the big club as soon as Saturday, when the Athletics will be allotted a 29th man again for the team's doubleheader with the Rangers.

Lynn (5-2) earned the win over the Angels on Tuesday, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six.

Lynn entered the contest having lost each of his previous two starts, but he was able to get back into the win column with a strong outing against the Halos. The right-hander needed 114 pitches (72 strikes) to get through seven innings, but a solo home run off the bat of Jared Walsh was the only damage Los Angeles was able to muster against Lynn on the scoreboard. The veteran will carry a 2.52 ERA and 0.98 WHIP into his next start, at home against Oakland on Sunday.

Heaney (3-3) took the loss against Texas on Tuesday, tossing five innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out four.

The southpaw's struggles weren't entirely his own doing -- a fourth-inning error allowed a pair of runs to cross the plate on what should have been the third out -- but Heaney's performance was nonetheless a step down from the dominance he displayed in his previous two starts. After notching 16 strikeouts over 14.2 innings across his last two appearances, Heaney managed to induce only seven swinging strikes and four total strikeouts Tuesday. He'll look to get back into the win column in a road matchup against Colorado on Sunday.

Turnbull (4-2) earned the win over Milwaukee on Tuesday, pitching six scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out three.

Turnbull struggled with his control again Tuesday -- he has now allowed at least three walks in five straight games -- but was able to keep the Brewers off the scoreboard by limiting them to three hits. The right-hander exited after six innings having thrown 88 pitches (53 strikes). Aside from issuing too many free passes, Turnbull has been mostly effective this season, posting a 3.32 ERA and limiting opponents to 28 hits over 40.2 innings. He'll seek his fifth win on the road against the White Sox on Sunday.