MLB Player News

Bieber (5-2) earned the win against the Twins on Tuesday by allowing two runs on five hits across seven innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Bieber served up a pair of solo homers to Marwin Gonzalez and Eddie Rosario, but otherwise kept the Twins in check all evening. It's a quality rebound performance for the 24-year-old after he gave up six runs to the Red Sox last week. Bieber has a 3.67 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 85:17 K:BB over 68.2 innings and lines up to pitch Sunday versus the Yankees.

Valdez will enter the Astros' starting rotation following Corbin Martin's demotion, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez previously worked as a starter but has been used exclusively out of the bullpen in 2019. Martin had a poor start Monday and Valdez fired four scoreless innings of relief, which was apparently enough to tip the scales for another starting chance. The left-hander figures to start Saturday versus the Orioles, assuming he slides into Martin's spot in the rotation.

Eovaldi (elbow) threw a simulated game Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Eovaldi tossed 37 warmup pitches, followed by two simulated innings (20 and 16 pitches) for a grand total of 73 pitches on the day. There's been no word of any setbacks to this point, so he'll likely continue to build up his pitch count as he inches closer to a return, which could come in mid-June.

Clevinger (back) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to embark on a rehab assignment later in the week, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Clevinger's bullpen session goes as planned, he'll join Triple-A Columbus in time to start Thursday's game, per Bell. Skipper Terry Francona is unsure as to how many appearances Clevinger will make while with the Clippers, but he did note that he has no intention of rushing the right-hander back.

Schmidt is on the 7-day injured list at High-A Tampa with an undisclosed injury.

He spent eight days on the injured list back in early May with an undisclosed injury as well. Schmidt struck out nine over six scoreless frames in his last start May 20. He has shown a lot of promise, particularly with his fastball and slider when healthy this season, but has been limited to seven starts in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

Severino (lat) threw from 60 feet 50 times Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Severino felt optimistic following his latest throwing session, and his next step will be to successfully throw on back-to-back days. The right-hander appears on track to be activated from the 60-day injured list soon after the All-Star break.

Liberatore, the 16th overall pick in the 2018 first-year player draft, is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and .187 BAA across 21 innings over his first four starts with Low-A Bowling Green.

The 19-year-old southpaw appears to be progressing nicely in his first full professional season. Liberatore gave a similarly impressive accounting of himself during the latter portion of the 2018 season after signing with the Rays in mid-June, logging a combined nine starts at two rookie-level stops and generating a 1.38 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and .189 BAA across 32.2 frames. His 2019 campaign got off to a late start after he was held back in extended spring, but Liberatore could still potentially hit a triple-digit innings load this season.

Valdez (2-2) earned the win Monday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings of relief.

Valdez saved a taxed bullpen when he entered in the fourth inning to replace starter Corbin Martin, who has thrown a combined 10 innings over his last three starts. The 25-year-old left-hander has quietly put together a six-game run during which he's allowed one earned run (0.79 ERA) over 11.1 innings. While he's walking too many (4.5 BB/9), Valdez is a former starter who could emerge in that role if the Astros decide to send Martin (8.41 FIP) back to Triple-A.

Nuno signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Nuno was cut loose by the Nationals one week ago, but it didn't take him long to find a new home. He'll report to Triple-A Durham after accruing a 7.25 ERA and 1.76 WHIP with a 25:12 K:BB over 22.1 frames while with Triple-A Fresno earlier in the year.

Lynch (arm) is not scheduled to undergo an MRI, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Lynch exited his previous start for High-A Wilmington due to an apparent arm injury, though the issue isn't thought to be anything overly serious. The Royals believe the soreness Lynch is dealing with is "non-disruptive," and the current plan is to let the left-hander recover with rest.