MLB Player News

Valdez allowed one run on five hits across seven innings but didn't factor in the decision in Saturday's loss to the Orioles. He struck out seven and walked none.

Valdez gave up a solo homer to Renato Nunez in the sixth inning but otherwise shut down the O's. The Astros' offense couldn't reward him with the win as the team mustered only four hits. It's not clear when the 25-year-old will make his next start since Houston has a pair of off days next week.

Canning will start Monday's game against the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Canning could have pitched Sunday on regular rest, but he will instead receive an additional day before facing a potent Dodgers lineup. The 23-year-old has a 3.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB through his first seven major-league starts.

Suarez was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Sunday versus the Mariners, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Suarez was optioned to Salt Lake after starting last Sunday but makes a quick return to the majors with Trevor Cahill (elbow) headed to the injured list. It's likely just another spot start for the 21-year-old since Cahill isn't expected to have an extended stay on the shelf.

Keller fell to 3-8 on the season despite allowing just two runs in eight innings Saturday against the White Sox. He gave up five hits and one walk while striking out four.

Keller has thrown two quality starts in a row but took the loss both times, a not-entirely-surprising result given the weakness of the Royals' offense. Keller's lack of run support and unremarkable 15.5 percent strikeout rate make him a not- particularly-appealing fantasy option even if he continues to drag his 4.29 ERA down. He's expected to start next against Minnesota on Friday.

Giolito improved to 9-1 on the season after throwing 7.2 scoreless innings Saturday against the Royals, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out 11.

The impressive showing continued Giolito's remarkable breakout season, shrinking his ERA to 2.28. He's been especially excellent over his last four outings, allowing just three runs in 32 innings while recording a 39:4 K:BB. He'll look to keep the momentum going next Friday against the Yankees.

Blackburn (0-1) gave up five runs over three innings as he took the loss in the first game of a doubleheader against Texas on Saturday. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out four.

The Rangers jumped on Blackburn right away, picking up three runs in the first inning. The 25-year-old then allowed two more runs on a Nomar Mazara homer in the third inning. The right-hander was making his first appearance of the season and this effort leaves him with an ERA of 15.00.

Cortes was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Masahiro Tanaka landed on the paternity list, so Cortes was called up to add some short-term pitching depth. He started Wednesday's game at Triple-A, so he is probably not a candidate to start Sunday's game in Cleveland, although he could be asked to log a couple innings. Cortes gave up just one hit and struck out eight over six scoreless innings in his last start for the RailRiders.

Whitley (shoulder) has been working out with the training staff in the gym but is not yet ready to throw, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley was placed on the minor-league 7-day injured list with shoulder fatigue. "He looks good. He feels good. We're going to give him a little more time before he starts throwing again. Once he does, we'll come up with a plan," said Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow. With Whitley unavailable and Corbin Martin getting sent back to Triple-A Round Rock because of poor performance, pitching depth in the system is being tested.

Chirinos (7-2) picked up the win in Friday's 5-1 victory over the Red Sox, giving up two hits and two walks over eight scoreless innings while striking out six.

The right-hander was perfect through five frames before walking Brock Holt to begin the sixth, and Chirinos was denied a shot at his first career big-league shutout only due to an elevated pitch count, as he exited the game after 101 pitches (62 strikes). He'll carry a 2.87 ERA and 55:13 K:BB through 69 innings into his next start Wednesday, at home against the A's.

German (9-2) struck out six but took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings as the Yankees fell 5-2 to Cleveland.

For the third time in his last six starts, German served up multiple homers, and his 2.8 HR/9 over that stretch has led to a 5.68 ERA -- a far cry from the 0.5 and 2.35 marks he posted over his first seven outings. The right-hander will try to turn things around Thursday when he faces the White Sox on the road.