MLB Player News

Suarez (7-4) earned the win against the Royals on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Suarez allowed a solo homer in the sixth frame but was otherwise dominant, throwing 69 of 96 pitches for strikes with 14 whiffs. After surrendering a season-high six runs Aug. 30, the southpaw has rebounded in a big way with back-to-back seven-inning victories. He'll carry a 3.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 130:40 K:BB across 137.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Rays next weekend.

Sears allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Saturday.

Sears was recalled from Triple-A early in the day to make his fourth career MLB appearance (and second start). The southpaw got through two scoreless frames but then allowed two runs in each of the third and fourth innings. Sears did show good command with 51 of his 77 pitches going for strikes, but the seven hits he allowed were his most in a big-league appearance so far. Sears may return to the minors soon, as Jack Flaherty (forearm) could return from the injured list next week.

The Rangers reinstated Eovaldi (elbow) from the injured list Saturday.

Right elbow inflammation sent Eovaldi to the injured list Aug. 10, and after spending about a month recovering, he's been cleared to return to the Rangers' pitching staff as a reliever. The 36-year-old righty may eventually build up his workload enough to handle multiple innings out of the 'pen, but he likely won't be tapped for high-leverage work after posting a 4.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP prior to getting injured. Adam Macko was sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Cole (8-9) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing five runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings.

For the second straight start, Cole gave up a home run to the first batter he faced -- in this instance, Francisco Lindor. The veteran hurler actually yielded a homer to the first three batters against the Angels in his previous outing, and though that didn't happen this time around, Cole did give up three long balls overall. He's now surrendered seven home runs over his past two starts (both losses), more than he had given up in his previous 11 starts combined. It's not the ideal time for Cole to be struggling, both because the Yankees are trying to catch Tampa Bay in the AL East and because fantasy managers in most head-to-head leagues are in the midst of the playoffs. Cole will look to get back on track in his next appearance, which is lined up to be on the road in Arizona.

Oviedo (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Oviedo has been out since early April due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, but after building up gradually over the course of the season, he's now ready to test his elbow in a game setting. The 28-year-old will likely require multiple rehab outings before rejoining Boston's bullpen, but the door is open for him to return before the end of the regular season.

The Rays selected Hopkins' contract from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hopkins spent most of the season working in the rotation at Durham, but after struggling as a starter, the team moved him to the bullpen in August. Now that he's pitched six consecutive shutout innings at Triple-A as a reliever, the 24-year-old righty will join the big club to help bolster the Rays' bullpen. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.

Castillo is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Sean Newcomb during Saturday's game against the Cardinals, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The top of the St. Louis lineup typically features two left-handed hitters (Bryan Torres and Alec Burleson) against right-handed pitchers, so the White Sox will have the left-handed Newcomb work the first inning or two in order for Castillo to draw some more favorable matchups when he eventually enters the game. Castillo will be pitching in relief for the first time since being acquired by the White Sox at the trade deadline, with the role change coming after he logged a 7.52 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB in 26.1 innings through his first six starts with the club.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out five.

The lefty needed 88 pitches (54 strikes) to record 12 outs as Kikuchi failed to last at least five innings for the first time in four starts since returning from shoulder inflammation. After a bumpy outing against the Rangers on Aug. 23, Kikuchi's been stingier, posting a 1.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB over his last 17 innings and three trips to the mound. He'll look to tighten things up in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Prielipp is slated to start Saturday's game against the Guardians in Minnesota.

Prielipp made his last two appearances for Minnesota out of the bullpen, working in bulk relief behind opener Andrew Morris in a Sept. 1 win over the Tigers and then piggybacking starter Joe Ryan in Monday's 5-4 loss to Detroit. The Twins will separate Prielipp and Ryan and give them standalone starts to close out the weekend series versus the Guardians, though Prielipp will likely have his workload monitored to some degree. The Twins skipped Bailey Ober's turn in the rotation this week, but it's possible that he could be called upon to piggyback Prielipp on Saturday.

Valdez (10-10) picked up the win Friday, allowing one unearned run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 6-2 victory over the Rockies. He struck out two.

The veteran southpaw delivered his fourth straight quality start, and 16th of the season, on 90 pitches (58 strikes). Valdez has found a groove late in the year, and over his last eight outings since the beginning of August he's produced a 2.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 29:19 K:BB in 50.1 innings with a 5-3 record. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is set to come on the road next week in Toronto.