MLB Player News

Stephens (hand) was activated from Triple-A Charlotte's 7-day injured list June 1 and has made two relief appearances since being reinstated to the roster.

The right-hander has covered four innings between the two outings, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six. Stephens had been sidelined for nearly a month with the fractured left hand and likely would have faced an even lengthier absence if the injury had been to his throwing hand.

Manager Chris Woodward said Smyly will remain in the rotation either as a starter or a primary pitcher behind an opener, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The question about Smyly's role is a relevant one after he gave up seven runs for a second straight start Tuesday. The left-hander is attempting to come back from Tommy John surgery this season after last having pitched in the majors back in 2016. "I don't know if it takes a little while longer for things to come together after you've missed as much time with an injury as he has. But his stuff plays up when he executes. When he doesn't, it doesn't," said Woodward. Smyly is next scheduled to pitch Sunday at home against the Athletics, although it remains to be seen if he'll be on the hill to open the game.

Valdez will make his first start of the season Saturday against the Orioles, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros made a few roster moves Tuesday, including sending starter Corbin Martin back to Triple-A Round Rock. Valdez, a minor-league starter who pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Martin on Monday, becomes Houston's No. 5 starter for the moment. The left-hander gets a soft entry against a Baltimore team that ranks 25th in MLB with a .708 OPS.

Canning (2-2) took the loss Tuesday as the Angels fell 4-2 to the A's, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings while striking out eight.

The right-hander established a new high-water mark for strikeouts in his seventh big-league start, although he also set a new career high for hits allowed. Canning did generate 18 swinging strikes among his 102 pitches (63 total strikes), a promising sign for the 23-year-old. He'll take a 3.52 ERA and 42:10 K:BB through 38.1 innings into his next scheduled start, which will come Sunday against the Mariners.

Montas (7-2) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out three in a 4-2 victory over the Angels.

The right-hander was in fine form as he delivered his eighth quality start of the season, keeping the Angels off the board for five innings until Shohei Ohtani took him deep in the sixth. Montas hasn't suffered a loss since late April, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB over his last 36.2 innings. He'll look to keep rolling on the road against the Rangers in his next start Sunday.

Rodriguez (6-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 8-3 victory over the Royals, allowing two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings while striking out seven.

The southpaw fell just short of his sixth quality start of the season, getting the hook after 89 pitches (60 strikes). Rodriguez remains a reliable source of strikeouts despite his inability to go deep into games -- he's fanned at least five batters in 10 consecutive outings. He'll take a 4.88 ERA and 73:20 K:BB through 66.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for Sunday at home against the Rays.

Miley did not factor into the decision Tuesday versus Seattle, pitching five innings and giving up three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six.

Miley battled through poor control -- he threw only 56 of his 95 pitches for strikes -- to record his 10th consecutive start of five or more innings. He has done an excellent job of keeping Houston in games, limiting opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his 13 appearances this season. The 32-year-old will carry a 3.39 ERA and 1.14 WHIP into his next scheduled start against Baltimore on Sunday.

Smyly (1-4) allowed seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two across 3.1 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Orioles.

Smyly immediately ran into trouble, allowing back-to-back homers in the first inning. He settled in to allow only one earned run across the second and third frames, but allowed another home run in the fourth inning prior to being pulled. This start was a microcosm of Smyly's season, as he has a 7.93 ERA and 1.86 WHIP across 42 innings, all while allowing 2.8 HR/9.

Bundy (3-6) allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Rangers.

Bundy didn't turn in his finest outing but was given nine runs of support by the Orioles' offense, allowing him to earn his third win in his last six starts. He surrendered a solo home run to the first batter he faced, but rebounded to allow only a single in each of the third and fifth innings. Though he hasn't worked particularly deep into games -- he's recorded 18 or more outs just twice -- Bundy hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last six starts, posting a 30:10 K:BB in that span. He'll look to keep the steady work going in his next outing, currently scheduled for Sunday at Houston.

Snell (3-5) took the loss Tuesday versus the Tigers by allowing six runs on seven hits across 4.1 innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

Snell gave up one run on three hits through the first four frames, but things fell apart during a five-run fifth that was capped off with a grand slam from Miguel Cabrera. The left-hander entered Tuesday's start having allowed only six runs over his last 30.1 innings, a span of five starts. The 26-year-old will look to get back on track Sunday at Boston.