MLB Player News

Valdez (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk over 4.1 innings as the Astros fell 5-2 to the Dodgers. He struck out two.

The southpaw took a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning before fading, as the first three Dodgers to the plate in the frame all collected hits en route to Los Angeles batting around. Valdez finished his night having tossed 59 pitches (32 strikes), but his success the first time through the order at least offers some optimism that he can deliver a better result next time out. At the very least, Valdez's rotation spot should be secure given how many other arms the Astros currently have on the shelf.

Gibson (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Rangers fell 4-1 to the Diamondbacks, getting charged with three unearned runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The only runs against the right-hander came in the first inning, after a two-out throwing error by Isiah Kiner-Falefa at third base kept the line moving for Arizona. Gibson wound up throwing 93 pitches (55 strikes), so he at least got to show he was fully stretched out. With the Rangers' new ballpark looking to be pitcher-friendly, Gibson could be a solid source of ratios this season, but wins might be hard to come by unless the team's offense wakes up.

Chirinos gave up one unearned run on four hits and two walks over four innings during Tuesday's win over the Braves. He had four strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

The 25-year-old threw 62 pitches in his final simulated game of camp, so it wasn't a surprise to see him slightly increase his workload to 68 pitches Tuesday. Manager Kevin Cash has made a point of being extra cautious with his starters to begin the season, but Chirinos should be able to push toward 80 pitches his next time out, which is scheduled for Sunday in Baltimore.

Rodon (0-1) allowed five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four across 3.2 innings to take the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

Rodon was hit hard out of the gates, surrendering doubles to Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez prior to being taken yard by Carlos Santana in the first inning. He settled in for the middle portion of his start, but appeared to lose energy in the fourth inning, walking the bases loaded prior to being pulled. While it wasn't a strong performance in the box score, Rodon's velocity ticked up as he went deeper into his start, and he also generated 10 swinging strikes on 71 total pitches. He'll look to improve on this performance during his next turn through the rotation, though he's penciled in for a tough matchup at Milwaukee on Monday.

Teheran (not injury related) is scheduled to throw three innings during an intrasquad game Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old was originally scheduled for a similar outing Tuesday, but he instead completed a light bullpen session. Manager Joe Maddon indicated the change in schedule wasn't injury related. If all goes well Thursday, Teheran could join the Angels sometime next week, though he won't have the workload of a traditional starter out of the gate due to his absence from most of summer camp.

Means (arm) is expected to be activated off the injured list to start Thursday against the Yankees, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles were originally set to be playing the Marlins, but a COVID-19 outbreak among the latter's players and staff led to the change of plans. Baltimore is now hosting the Yankees for a two-game series. Means is first eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, so it appears he won't be missing any more time than the minimum. The 27-year-old seems likely to face some workload restrictions his first time out after dealing with the arm fatigue, though the team hasn't outlined any specific limitations.

Cease (0-1) took the loss against Cleveland in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader after allowing four runs on seven hits and zero walks while recording one strikeout over 2.1 innings.

The 24-year-old's first start of 2020 was one to forget, as he struggled with the strike zone and threw only 34 of his 64 pitches for strikes while also surrendering two home runs. Cease made his big-league debut last year and had 14 starts for the White Sox with a 5.79 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 81:35 K:BB over 73 innings, and his second season is off to a rocky start. Depending how Chicago orders its rotation coming out of the doubleheader, the right-hander's next outing could be Sunday in Kansas City or in the following days at Milwaukee.

Civale (1-0) earned the win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox after allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while recording nine strikeouts over six innings.

The 25-year-old wasn't impacted by having his start postponed one day due to rain, as he delivered a first-pitch strike to 18 of the 26 batters he faced and generated 16 swinging strikes. Civale finished the outing at 100 pitches, so it's clear he isn't beginning the season with workload limitations. The right-hander will look to build on his strong start to the season Sunday at Minnesota.

Javier will start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers unless he's needed in relief Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros have a hole in their rotation following Justin Verlander's forearm strain, as they're also without Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) and Austin Pruitt (elbow). Javier is expected to get the first crack at the job, though that can't be confirmed until after Tuesday's contest. Javier has thrown just 12 innings above the Double-A level, including an inning of relief this season, though his 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 37.3 percent strikeout rate in 113.2 innings split across the three highest levels of the minors last season are all encouraging numbers. He did walk 12.9 percent of opposing batters, though, so he's hardly a finished product.

Kluber (shoulder) was placed on the 45-day injured list Tuesday.

The move isn't much of a surprise, as Kluber will be shut down for at least four weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 tear of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder Monday. If he's able to return at all this season, it will likely be very late in the year and in a relief role.