MLB Player News

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Keller could be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list to start Thursday against the Cubs or Friday against the Twins, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

Keller has been working out with the team for more than two weeks after a positive COVID-19 test sidelined him for much of summer camp. After facing hitters in a live batting practice Saturday, Keller will likely throw one more tune-up bullpen session before the Royals determine where to slot him into their pitching schedule this week. Kansas City has been running out a four-man rotation since Mike Montgomery (lat) was shut down last week, so Keller would ideally return from the IL on Thursday, when a fifth starter will first be needed.

Milone allowed one run on six hits and no walks while striking out eight over five innings in Sunday's win against the Rays. He didn't factor into the decision.

The Orioles picked up a comfortable 5-1 win Sunday, but the team mustered only one run over the first six innings, forcing Milone to settle for a no-decision. The only production the southpaw allowed against the Rays came via a solo home run to lead off the sixth inning that led to his removal from the contest. Across two starts to begin the season, Milone carries a 5.63 ERA and 13:3 K:BB over eight innings. His next chance to enter the win column should come on the road Saturday against the Nationals.

Valdez allowed one unearned run on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over 6.1 relief innings in Sunday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Angels.

Valdez was needed early following Josh James' disastrous three-inning start. Houston's No. 5 starter saved a decimated Astros' bullpen with his quality innings and gave the offense space to come back and win it in extras. Valdez has had his share of shaky starts, so this was a change of pace for the left-hander. Valdez had been scheduled to start Tuesday, but Sunday's relief effort pushed his next start to the weekend against the Athletics.

Paxton allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and struck out four in three innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Sunday.

Paxton labored through his second start of the year, needing 62 pitches (45 strikes) to complete the three innings. He's given up eight runs (six earned) across two short starts this season. The southpaw has only walked one batter, but he continues to deal with a drop in velocity -- he hovered around 91 mph with his fastball Sunday. Paxton is expected to start next weekend versus the Rays.

Chirinos allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Sunday's loss to the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.

Chirinos slightly increased his pitch count in his second start of the season as he fired 72 pitches, but he had to settle for another no-decision against the Orioles. His next chance to get into the win column should come at home Saturday against the Yankees.

Cease (1-1) earned the win over the Royals on Sunday when he allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings.

Cease, who was chased after 2.1 innings in his first start, did two things better Sunday. He threw more strikes -- 54 of 83 pitches -- and he hit his spots more often. Cease will try to build on this quality start when he next takes the ball Friday at home against Cleveland.

Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said Sunday that Anderson (oblique) will be activated from the 10-day injured list this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Beyond confirming Matt Shoemaker as the starter for Tuesday's game against the Braves, the Blue Jays haven't outlined their rotation plans for the rest of the week, so Anderson could conceivably start either of the final two games of the series in Atlanta. The right-hander threw a live batting practice session Sunday, which likely marks the final hurdle he'll need to clear in his recovery from the right oblique strain he sustained in the second week of July.

Allard yielded one run on two hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out three batters in the win over San Francisco. He did not factor in the decision.

Allard wasn't incredibly impressive or efficient Sunday -- he needed 75 pitches to complete four innings -- but he got the job done. The lone run he allowed came on an Evan Longoria sacrifice fly in the second inning. Assuming Allard keeps his spot in the Rangers rotation, he'll get a home start against the Angels on Saturday.

Bassitt (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and struck out seven in 5.2 innings, earning the win versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Bassitt gave up an RBI single to Daniel Vogelbach in the first inning, but that was the only damage on his line in a second consecutive strong performance. The right-handed Bassitt has now allowed only one run in 9.2 innings while posting a 12:1 K:BB. The 31-year-old's ability to turn in quality outings may interest fantasy managers, although his next start -- one in which Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Bassitt will look to exceed the 85 pitches he threw Sunday -- is expected to be a tough test at home versus the Astros on Friday.

Civale (1-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out nine across six innings to take the loss Sunday against the Twins.

Civale allowed a run in each of the first three innings before settling in to retire nine straight to end his outing. After striking out 46 batters in 57.2 frames during his major-league tenure in 2019, Civale has racked up 15 strikeouts in 12 innings of work through two starts this season. He's also shown the ability to work deep into contests, reaching 100 pitches and completing six innings in each of his two outings. Civale projects to take the mound for this third start of the campaign Friday at the White Sox.