MLB Player News

Manager Jeff Banister said that Perez wouldn't start the final game before the All-Star break Sunday against the Angels, Sam Butler of MLB.com reports.

After Perez was activated from the 10-day disabled list to start the series opener Monday against the Red Sox, the thought was that the Rangers would deploy a five-man rotation this week, allowing the lefty to make a second turn over the weekend. Instead, it appears Banister wants to take advantage of the upcoming break to build in an extended rest for Perez, who covered five innings and tossed 102 pitches Monday following a week and a half absence due to a fractured thumb on his non-throwing hand. Perez will still be available out of the bullpen over the weekend, but Austin Bibens-Dirkx now looks like the top candidate to start Sunday's contest.

Rodriguez (knee) allowed four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out five over four innings in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Rodriguez got his pitch count up to 88, but the results weren't much better than his first rehab start. The Red Sox will huddle up to evaluate Rodriguez's performance and determine if he's ready to be activated off the disabled list for the first rotation turn following the All-Star break.

Darvish (6-7) surrendered seven runs on 11 hits over 4.1 innings in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the Red Sox. He struck out four.

It was the 30-year-old's shortest outing of the year to date, while the 11 hits and seven runs allowed were also season worsts. Darvish hasn't been as dominant in 2017 as he was in the past, but his 3.56 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 still have plenty of fantasy utility. His next start will come after the All-Star break.

Ramirez (7-7) gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks over five-plus innings Tuesday, striking out four in a loss to the Twins.

It took him 97 pitches to get through five frames, and after he gave up a leadoff double in the sixth on his 100th pitch of the night, that was it for the 28-year-old righty. Ramirez carved out solid fantasy value over his first 12 starts, going 5-3 with a 3.37 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, but he's been an unmitigated disaster over his last seven games -- 2-4 with a 7.07 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. He throws hard and has on occasion generated helpful strikeout numbers, but the league has made an adjustment that's led to a lot of hard hits against him. Ramirez won't make his next start until after the All-Star break.

Gibson gave up two runs with four strikeouts and two walks over 6.2 innings to improve to 5-6 in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

Gibson threw a season high in innings pitched. He needed a strong outing after posting a 5.24 ERA and 11:8 K:BB in 22.1 innings over his previous four starts. After notching an 8.20 ERA in his first six starts, which got him briefly sent to the minors, Gibson has put up a 4.59 ERA over his last nine outings. However, he's still walking too many batters (4.1 BB/9) and is too inconsistent for fantasy purposes in most formats.

Kluber (7-3) allowed only one run on five hits and a walk while striking out 10 over eight innings in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Padres.

The right-hander set a new Cleveland franchise record with his fifth straight double-digit strikeout start, breaking the mark of four straight held by Bob Feller since 1939. Kluber also became the seventh right-hander since the deadball era to accomplish the feat, joining an illustrious group of fireballers alongside Nolan Ryan, J.R. Richard, Dwight Gooden, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling and Max Scherzer. Kluber will get one more start before the All-Star break Sunday at home against the Tigers.

Manager A.J. Hinch said the hope is that Keuchel (neck) will be able to pitch off a mound in Toronto over the weekend, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Keuchel continues to slowly work his way back from a neck issue that has kept him sidelined since June 8. If he is able to progress to mound work over the weekend with no issues, it would likely clear the way for him to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after. The Astros are still leading the American League by a good amount, so they likely won't be rushing their ace back.

Musgrove will be recalled from Triple-A Fresno to start Wednesday's game against the Braves, Julia Morales of Root Sports Southwest reports.

Musgrove will enter the Astros' rotation in place of David Paulino, who was suspended for 80 games last week after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. With the All-Star break approaching, Musgrove may only be needed for one start before returning to Fresno to continue working some kinks out. The 24-year-old compiled a 6.01 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 13 starts (67.1 innings) with the Astros earlier in the season.

Morton (lat) will start Friday's game in Toronto, Julia Morales of Root Sports Southwest reports.

He threw 74 pitches in a rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, and should be able to approach 100 pitches in his return to the big-league rotation. Morton had been striking hitters out at an impressive 25.8 percent clip and had a 4.06 ERA prior to suffering the injury. His spot in the rotation should be secure as long as he can stay healthy. Mike Fiers will be pushed back to Saturday as a result of Morton's impending activation from the 10-day DL.

Meyer was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After he was pummeled for five runs in five innings in Monday's loss to the Twins, Meyer will head to the minors for what will likely be an extended period. The Angels are able to get by with four starters until July 29, so Meyer will miss out on a two-start week after he was initially in line to take the hill Sunday against the Rangers. In addition to the favorable schedule this month, the Angels are expected to get Matt Shoemaker (forearm) back from the disabled list shortly after the All-Star break, so there's no real need for the team to rush Meyer back to the big-league rotation until he irons things out at Triple-A. With that in mind, fantasy owners who had been relying on the 27-year-old may want to consider dropping him.