MLB Player News

Lyles will make his first start of the season Aug. 2 at San Francisco since the Rangers are skipping his first turn in the rotation, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The news was to be expected, as the Rangers don't immediately need a five-man rotation with two scheduled off days next week. Lyles figures to be available out of the bullpen for the next two series as a result, though he is likely to be utilized in a calculated fashion to help keep him on schedule.

Urquidy (undisclosed) was cleared to participate in baseball activities Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was absent from summer camp for undisclosed reasons, but he'll now head to the team's alternate training site to begin prepping for the season. Urquidy figures to require some time to build up to a starter's workload, so it's unclear when he may be able to rejoin the Astros. Framber Valdez is opening the season as the team's No. 5 starter in his place.

Rodriguez is dealing with a heart condition as a result of his battle with COVID-19, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Rodriguez is reportedly dealing with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, as a result of the coronavirus. He's back in camp after testing negative for the virus, but he's been completely shut down from baseball activities as a strenuous workout would be dangerous to his heart. The Red Sox are reportedly optimistic that he'll be able to pitch at some point this season, but they'll have to wait until the inflammation subsides before they have a clearer picture of when he'll be able to get back on the field.

Dunning was assigned to the White Sox's alternate camp, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

Dunning made a full recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery, but the White Sox have a surfeit of starters currently on the active roster, so the promising right-hander is not needed immediately. Gio Gonzalez figures to be first in line if a fill-in starter is needed while left-hander Ross Detwiler also made the cut as a bulk-inning guy.

Cole earned the win in Thursday's rain-shortened contest against Washington, pitching five innings and allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out five.

Cole lived up to his massive contract in his first start with New York, allowing only a first-inning home run to Adam Eaton and a fifth-inning walk to Asdrubal Cabrera while throwing 46 of 75 pitches for strikes. The right-hander would have likely pitched at least another inning if not for a torrid rainstorm that resulted in the contest being called after five innings. Cole will look to build on his impressive first start of the season when he faces the Phillies on the road Tuesday.

Suarez (undisclosed) is not part of the Angels' Opening Day roster.

Suarez did not participate in summer camp due to an undisclosed issue, so his absence from the 30-man roster was inevitable. The Angels do not have a pressing need for a starter, so it's likely that Suarez will end up in the bullpen -- or at the team's alternate training site -- when he is ready to return.

Javier earned a spot on Houston's 30-man roster, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

With Framber Valdez working as Houston's fifth starter, Javier will assume a spot in the team's Opening Day bullpen. The talented young right-hander has appeared in just two games above Double-A, so he figures to start out in a lower-leverage role.

Whitley did not make the Opening Day roster.

General manager James Click said that Whitley is "maintaining a lot of the improvements I've seen from him," according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. There are undoubtedly some service-time considerations at play, but the Astros are also going to be careful not to throw their top prospect into the fire until they believe he is ready to have success. He should get fully stretched out at the alternate training site but is not a lock to debut in 2020.

General manager James Click said Thursday there is no update on Urquidy's status, other than that the team is doing everything it can to get him back on the field as soon as possible, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy has been absent from camp for an undisclosed reason and should be considered out indefinitely. In addition to an unclear timetable for his return to the team, it is unclear how quickly the young righty will be able to build up to the point that he could handle a starter's workload. Framber Valdez is expected to work as the team's fifth starter in the short term.

Rodon (elbow) is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Indians, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Rodon, who underwent Tommy John surgery 14 months ago, will be ready to take his first turn through the rotation. His presence in the rotation will push Gio Gonzalez to the bullpen. Across seven starts before getting injured last season, Rodon posted a 5.19 ERA and 46:17 K:BB in 34.2 innings.