MLB Player News

McCullers labored during his pre-game warmups Friday leading to his shortest start of the season, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston pitching coach Brent Strom said McCullers was unable to get his velocity up before departing Friday's game after 18 pitches. The right-hander, who is coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery, talked with other pitchers who underwent the procedure. They reassured him that "these things come and they pop up and your body adjusts and then they're gone and you don't have to worry about them anymore." The Astros are treating this as a "dead arm" phase and expect McCullers to pitch next Wednesday against Oakland. Given Friday's low pitch count, McCullers could have his next outing pushed up a day, which means could be available to pitch in Tuesday's doubleheader.

Urquidy (undisclosed) will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy has been out since the season began following a positive test for COVID-19 in July. He was in quarantine for about a month, unable to throw during that time, and has been building arm strength at the team's alternate camp. He feels he'll be able to throw between 50 and 60 pitches Saturday.

Carrasco allowed one run on six hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Friday.

Carrasco did his best to keep up with Corbin Burnes on the other side, but the bullpen spoiled his strong effort, with three relievers combining to allow six runs. The right-hander endured some struggles in the middle of August, but he has bounced back with just one earned run allowed in his last two starts (12 innings). Overall, Carrasco has a 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB in 42 innings. He's in line for a favorable home matchup against the Royals next week.

McCullers took a no-decision during Friday's loss to the Angels, surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks without recording an out.

McCullers's night was over before it even began. The 26-year-old failed to retire a batter, giving up a single, a two-run home run to Mike Trout, then three consecutive walks before getting replaced with Luis Garcia. Overall, McCullers threw just 5-of-18 pitches for strikes in the disastrous outing. The right-hander holds a 5.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP on the season. He'll look to bounce back Wednesday at Oakland.

Bundy did not factor into the decision during Friday's win against Houston, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out eight across seven innings.

Facing Houston for the first time this season, Bundy held the Astros scoreless until the fourth inning, when he gave up a leadoff walk and a pair of doubles that resulted in two runs. The 27-year-old threw 66 of 100 pitches for strikes and left the game with the lead, though Houston tied things up in the ninth, preventing him from earning the win. Bundy now sports a 2.49 ERA and 0.95 WHIP on the season. He'll take the mound next Thursday at Texas.

Kikuchi (2-2) picked up the win Friday after holding the Rangers to one run on two hits while striking out seven across six innings.

Coming off a seven-day layoff, Kikuchi appeared to be well-rested as he blanked the Rangers until the fifth inning, when he gave up a solo home run to Jose Trevino. That would be the only run of the night for the southpaw, who was facing the Rangers for the first time this season. Kikuchi improves to 2-2 on the year while raising his ERA to 5.29 and WHIP to 1.19. He'll take the mound next for a road matchup at Arizona on Friday.

Singer (1-4) surrendered five runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.2 innings in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

Singer was far too generous with baserunners Friday, but all 10 hits he allowed were singles. That's little consolation, as this was his first start where he allowed more than eight batters to get on base. Singer has a 5.58 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB through 40.1 innings this season. He'll try to miss more bats Thursday in Cleveland in his next start.

Dunning allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings versus the Royals on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.

Dunning needed 88 pitches (57 strikes) to complete his outing, coming up one out short of qualifying for the win. It was a bit of a shaky outing the 25-year-old, but he's pitched to a solid 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 18 strikeouts through 14 innings across three stars. Dunning's next turn in the rotation is expected to come next Friday against the Tigers.

Schmidt's contract was selected by the Yankees prior to Game 2 against the Orioles on Friday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Schmidt was on the taxi squad for the Yankees' weekend series, and he'll join the 40-man roster for Friday's nightcap. The 24-year-old logged a 2.37 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 19 innings during three starts at the Double-A level last season and will now be available to make his major-league debut.

Boyd (1-5) took the loss in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Twins, allowing two runs across six innings. He gave up four hits and struck out eight.

It was an inauspicious first inning for Boyd, who gave up back-to-back home runs to Jorge Polanco and Josh Donaldson to begin the game. However, the lefty settled down from there, as he allowed just two hits the rest of the way. Unfortunately, he got zero run support and was saddled with his fifth loss of the year. Boyd has turned in consecutive quality starts against a strong Minnesota lineup, and he's beginning to look like the ace the Tigers need him to be. His ERA is still high at 6.64, but he'll look to keep lowering that number in his next outing, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Brewers.