MLB Player News

Odorizzi (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi came out of the session pain-free and is tentatively scheduled to face live hitters early next week. A more concrete return date for the right-hander will hopefully come into focus following his live BP session next week.

Milone is a "strong candidate" to start Sunday against the Rays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc are lined up to pitch the first two games of the series, leaving either Milone or Kohl Stewart to take the finale. Milone struck out five in his season debut against the Red Sox but otherwise struggled, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks across three innings.

Means (arm) was activated from the injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Yankees on Thursday.

As expected, Means is set to make his season debut Thursday after a minimal stay on the injured list with arm fatigue. The southpaw will look to build off his breakout 2019 campaign (3.60 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 155 innings), though he'll have his hands full against a difficult Yankees lineup. Per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, Means is expected to pitch around 3-to-4 innings Thursday as the Orioles ease him back. Cody Carroll was sent to the team's alternate camp in a corresponding move.

Gibson isn't scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Giants, as the Rangers will instead go with Kolby Allard for the series finale in San Francisco.

Since the Rangers had off days Thursday and Monday and were down a starter after Corey Kluber (shoulder) was moved on the 45-day injured list, there was some thought that the team might go with a four-man rotation until a fifth starter was first needed Aug. 8 versus the Angels. Instead, manager Chris Woodward has elected to break Allard in as a replacement in the rotation for Kluber this weekend, robbing Gibson of a start on his normal four days' rest. Gibson won't necessarily be in store for two starts during the Rangers' six-game slate next week either, as Woodward could use Monday's off day to reorder the rotation. In that scenario, Lance Lynn would line up for two turns (Aug. 4 in Oakland, Aug. 9 versus the Angels).

Luzardo, who allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, will rejoin the starting rotation for his next trip to the mound, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "I think my arm is ready, especially after this outing," Luzardo said. "I think I'm ready in terms of strength and how I feel."

The left-hander worked up to 67 pitches in his long-relief appearance Wednesday, and manager Bob Melvin confirmed the heavy workload was by design. With Luzardo having corroborated his ability to essentially handle a starter's pitch count and notching swinging strikeouts on all five of his whiffs, manager Bob Melvin determined he's seen everything he needs to convince him the emerging southpaw is ready after his delayed arrival in summer camp. "You see a lot of bad swings off him," Melvin said. "The velocity and breaking ball is there. Throwing 2-2 changeups to lefties -- all his stuff looks great, and to have it in this fashion after missing significant time in summer camp is impressive." Given his level of usage Wednesday, Luzardo would likely line up for his first start either Sunday or Monday against the Mariners.

Allard will replace Corey Kluber (shoulder) in the Texas rotation and make his first start Sunday in San Francisco.

Due to off days Thursday and next Monday, the Rangers could have waited until Aug. 8 against the Angels to break in a new fifth starter to replace Kluber, but Allard will get the opportunity to join the rotation this weekend. While Allard draws a favorable matchup against a poor Giants offense at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park, his fantasy profile isn't an especially interesting one. At this stage of his career, Allard excels more at inducing weak contact than he does making bats miss, as evidenced by a meager 7.3 swinging-strike percentage through 53.1 career MLB innings.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said that Bubic will be promoted from the team's alternate training site to start Friday's home opener against the White Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

After one of the Royals' top pitching prospects in Brady Singer previously broke summer camp as a member of the big-league rotation, Kansas City won't wait long to bring another one of its more well-regarded young arms up for his MLB debut. Bubic's callup is more unexpected, as the 22-year-old lefty has yet to even pitch at the Double-A level. He was highly impressive while splitting time between Low-A Lexington and High-A Wilmington in 2019, leading the entire minor leagues in strikeouts (185) in just 149.1 innings. Bubic may continue to induce swings and misses at a decent clip in the majors, but expect some rough patches in light of his lack of high-level experience.

Anderson (oblique) was able to throw three innings in a simulated game Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Per manager Charlie Montoyo, Anderson "looked really good." The workload suggests the right-hander could be close to coming off the injured list, but with Nate Pearson now having made his debut, it's unclear whether there will be room for Anderson in the rotation once he's healthy.

Eovladi picked up a no-decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings in a 6-5 win over the Mets.

Eovaldi put the Red Sox in a position to halt their four-game losing skid against Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom. Eovaldi is bearing the mantle of Boston's No. 1 starter well through the first two starts, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

Javier allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over 5.2 innings while taking a no-decision in a 4-2 extra-innings loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Javier was tapped as the fill-in starter for the injured Justin Verlander (forearm) and turned in an effort worthy of the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Unfortunately, Houston's batters failed to support the rookie who had two innings of experience above Double-A prior to the season. The Astros left 15 men on base and went 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position. The right-hander's next start is expected Tuesday on the road against the Diamondbacks.