MLB Player News

Manager Ned Yost said that Keller will be capped at 100 pitches in his start Monday against the Athletics and any additional turns that follow this season, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Since Keller just turned 24 years old in July, the Royals' decision to act conservatively with his usage isn't too surprising, especially since the 46-85 club having little incentive to overextend the righty at this stage of the season. Keller has cleared 100 pitches in 17 of his 27 outings this season and has covered at least six innings in eight consecutive turns, so the workload restriction could be most punitive to him in leagues that count quality starts as a category.

Clevinger is listed as the Indians' scheduled starter for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Clevinger was initially lined up to pitch Friday's series opener versus the Rays, but the Tribe will use Monday's off day to reorder their rotation and keep the righty on his normal four-day rest schedule. With a 3.00 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 78 innings this season, Clevinger has already established himself as a must-start option in nearly every format, but he'll be even more appealing than usual in shallower leagues with tougher weekly lineup decisions due to his matchup versus one of the majors' weakest offenses.

Luzardo fired 4.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Las Vegas in a win over Tacoma on Sunday, allowing three hits, three walks and uncorking a wild pitch while striking out four.

It was the second straight encouraging outing of 4.2 innings in length for Luzardo following his activation from the injured list. The promising southpaw stretched out to 84 pitches, building his arm up for a likely big-league stint this September once rosters expand.

German (17-3) held the Dodgers to one run on five hits in six innings to take the win Sunday. He struck out five and walked two.

German served up a home run to Joc Pederson on his first pitch of the game but kept Los Angeles at bay thereafter, scattering three doubles and a single while holding the Dodgers hitless with runners in scoring position. He leads the majors with 17 wins and has yet to tally more than one loss in any month this season. The 27-year-old will carry a 4.03 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 136:30 K:BB across 127.1 innings into a home matchup with Oakland on Saturday.

Perez (9-5) gave up two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five through six innings to get the win over the Tigers on Sunday.

Perez has a nice outing in the quality start and recorded a nine-pitch inning to end his day in the sixth inning. Perez continues to produce soft contact, ranking in the 97th percentile of pitchers in lowest exit velocity allowed. The 28-year-old has a 4.53 ERA and 116 strikeouts through 23 starts this season. Perez will make his next start Saturday at the Tigers.

Valdez (4-6) gave up one run on two hits and five walks while striking out eight through six innings to earn the win against the Angels on Sunday.

Valdez danced around five walks and two hit batsmen to escape with a win. Valdez has a 5.14 ERA and a 53:31 K:BB through 56 innings this season. The 25-year-old was called up before this start, so he will have to perform if he is going to have a long-term spot in the rotation.

Chirinos (finger) is without a clear timeline to return from the 10-day injured list but appears unlikely to be reinstated until late September, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos took a meaningful step forward in his recovery from inflammation in his right middle finger by playing catch this weekend, marking his first baseball activity since he landed on the injured list Aug. 5. Though Chirinos didn't experience any reported complications while throwing, he'll realistically have to complete multiple bullpen sessions, at least one live batting practice session, and an abbreviated minor-league rehab assignment or slate of simulated games before being reinstated. With that in mind, Topkin notes that Chirinos is behind fellow rehabbing starter Blake Snell (elbow), who himself is approximately 10 days behind the rehab program of Tyler Glasnow (forearm). The Rays aren't counting on having Glasnow back until at least the second week of September, and he'll be limited to a bullpen role once he does return. Chirinos will likely be restricted to relief duty as well if he makes it back in late September.

Manager Kevin Cash reiterated Sunday that Snell (elbow) remains without a clear timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell hasn't hit a setback in his recovery from left elbow surgery since beginning a throwing program Aug. 12, but he's still not far enough along in his rehab process for the Rays to identify a target date for his return. Since Snell remains limited to playing catch off flat ground at this stage, Topkin posits that the southpaw is likely at least 10 days behind rehabbing pitcher Tyler Glasnow (elbow), who is slated to throw live batting practice Tuesday. With Glasnow realistically trending toward a return in the second week of September, it thus appears safe to rule out Snell for at least the first half of the season's final month. A clearer timeline for Snell's return should emerge once he advances to mound work.

Glasnow (forearm) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays' decision to clear Glasnow to face hitters signals that the right-hander checked out well after tossing a pair of bullpen sessions within the past week. If all goes well when he throws Tuesday, Glasnow could be cleared to begin a short rehab assignment before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list in the second week of September. Since Glasnow won't have enough time during his rehab program to build up for a starter's workload, he'll prepare to fill a multi-inning relief role once reinstated from the IL.

Gonzales (14-10) allowed one run on three hits and two walks over seven frames Sunday, striking out five and earning the win over Toronto.

Gonzales was terrific all afternoon, keeping the Blue Jays off the board until an RBI single from Rowdy Tellez in the sixth inning. It was his first start allowing fewer than two runs since July 27, lowering his ERA to 4.17. He'll look for his third straight win Friday in Texas.