MLB Player News

Valdez (3-2) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts in seven innings in a win over the Angels on Monday.

Valdez wasn't at his best Monday -- the four runs allowed marked a season high -- but the Astros gave him plenty of run support to earn the win. The 26-year-old southpaw has a 2.35 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 40 strikeouts through 38.1 innings this season. Valdez is expected to make his next start this weekend at home versus the Athletics.

Luzardo (2-1) took the loss Monday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks across 6.2 innings pitched. He struck out seven.

Luzardo got off to a rocky start Monday, allowing three hits and two runs in the first inning. He gave up a solo homer to Isiah Kiner-Falefa an inning later, but bounced back to get through the next 4.2 innings unscathed. The rookie ultimately took the first loss of his young career. Nonetheless, after allowing just three runs over his last 13 innings pirched, the southpaw should feel good about himself heading into his Sunday start in Houston.

Lynn (4-0) picked up the win Monday against the Athletics, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out eight.

Lynn fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, allowing a two-out RBI single to Mark Canha. After the Rangers took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the frame, Stephen Piscotty quickly tied it up in the second with a homer off the right-hander. The 33-year old settled in after that, keeping Oakland off the board in his last four innings of work. Lynn will take a sparkling 4-0 record and 1.59 ERA into his start against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Civale (3-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out eight and taking the loss against Minnesota.

Civale was cursed by the long ball Monday with all three runs coming from homers by Nelson Cruz and Miguel Sano. He had allowed just three home runs in 34 innings before Monday so it was a bit uncharacteristic, but he does own an outstanding 40:4 K:BB for the season. Civale will carry a 3.15 ERA into Sunday's start in St. Louis.

Maeda (4-0) allowed one run on five hits and a walk across five innings Monday, striking out seven and earning the win over Cleveland.

After allowing a leadoff homer to Cesar Hernandez in the first inning, Maeda silenced Cleveland's lineup and dominated for the rest of his outing. In all five of his starts this season, he's thrown at least five innings and given up three or fewer runs. After Monday's strong performance, Maeda is sporting a stellar 2.21 ERA and 40:7 K:BB. He'll look to move to a perfect 5-0 in a road start against Detroit on Saturday.

Mize (0-1) allowed four runs (three earned) across 3.1 innings to take the loss Monday against the Cubs. He gave up five hits and two walks, while striking out two.

Making his second MLB start, Mize struggled against a tough Chicago lineup. He struck out just two hitters, down from the seven strikeouts he recorded in his debut, and needed 76 pitches (44 strikes) to retire 10 batters. Detroit figures to be cautious with its prized prospect, as Mize has yet to reach 80 pitches in a game, but should keep trotting him out there every five days to let him build confidence in the majors. The 23-year-old is lined up to face Minnesota in his next start Saturday.

Snell allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out nine over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Monday against the Blue Jays.

Snell surrendered one run in the third on a double and another in the sixth on a solo blast before exiting the contest with a one-run lead. Toronto would put up runs in the seventh and ninth to bring home the victory, resulting in a no-decision for the southpaw. Despite this, it was positive to see Snell rack up nine strikeouts after fanning just three in his last outing Tuesday in New York. Through six starts this season, he owns a 3.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 32 punchouts across 23.2 innings.

Teheran will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Astros, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Teheran tossed five innings out of the bullpen during Thursday's matchup with the Giants, so he's stretched out to hurl multiple innings Tuesday. Through 13 innings this season, he owns an ugly 10.38 ERA and 2.00 WHIP with an 8:7 K:BB.

Verlander (forearm) threw 20 pitches Sunday and felt good afterward, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Verlander continues to work his way back from a right forearm strain, and his throwing sessions have all gone well to date. The right-hander still needs to build up his workload before he'll be in consideration for a return to the Astros' starting rotation, but he's been exhibiting positive signs in his recovery so far.

Blackburn was optioned to the Athletics' alternate training site Monday.

Blackburn joined the major-league bullpen Wednesday, but he failed to make an appearance during his time on the active roster. He'll continue to work with the alternate club after right-hander Jordan Weems was recalled in a corresponding move.